In less than two weeks, a group of talented kids from Belle Glade will travel to New Jersey for an experience of a lifetime.
Willie Canty, 17, gets noticed on the court when he plays basketball with his buddies, and he will soon be able to show off his talents out of state.
"Some people say Belle Glade is not a basketball place,” said Canty. “I just want to show them that anything is possible."
He and some of his friends, who were in the Ball Stars Youth Camp, were hand picked from a group of 200 kids to travel to a national basketball camp.
"Things like this, it's like a once in a lifetime (experience),” said Canty. “You don't get this every day."
The eight kids will be heading to New Jersey to an all-star camp on Aug. 8 and will stay there for five days.
Their coach, Sheriff’s Deputy Kenneth Torrence, who has trained the kids for this moment, couldn’t be prouder.
"It's just awesome that they are getting an opportunity to go up to New Jersey and experience what experienced men have already had," said Kenneth.
A great part of this experience is that the group won’t have to worry about travel expenses.
"It's approximately $1,000 per student and the foundation is joint venturing with the Palm Beach County Police Athletic League and that way we are able to send eight kids and their sponsors," said Malcolm McCampbell from the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Foundation.
These talented kids will never forget this experience that might lead to brighter opportunities in their futures.
"When they told me I got picked, it was like, 'Wow,'” said Lonteria McFadden. “And then on top of that it's me, my best friend and my teammates."
