DeAnthony Stevens - Coastal Empire Elite

DeAnthony Stevens is the head coach of the newly formed Coastal Empire Elite, a basketball program for teenagers in the Coastal Empire area.

DeAnthony is a graduate of Statesboro High School where he excelled in football, while also playing basketball and baseball.

Stevens took a job at the Boys and Girls Club of Bulloch County and decided that he wanted something more. He was the recreational supervisor and wanted to continue the basketball program over there.

DeAnthony began to work with the Statesboro Force as a coach and decided after two years, that he wanted to start his own program. He began to hold clinics for kids wherever he could, Old William James, Portal, even Blitch Street Park. The number of kids began to grow every Saturday for the workouts. The number finally reached 43 kids. It was at this time, he was approached by the players and their parents to start his own team.

So in December 2015, DeAnthony started the Coastal Empire Elite. He held tryouts during the winter and the team began play in the spring.

So far, the program has been a success. The Coastal Empire Elite is comprised of two teams (7th and 9th grade). These kids have been successful, with the majority of the kids holding above a 80 average. With the help of the Georgia Southern's Black Student Alliance, kids are getting tutoring in the areas that they are weak at. Students at Georgia Southern who have coaching minors have been able to gain experience by working with the Coastal Empire Elite.

The program is still growing, but it is well on its way, thanks to DeAnthony, his coaches, parents, and staff. In the near future, we hope to see these kids successful in their careers. This program and other programs have given the kids of Bulloch County the opportunity to pursue their basketball dreams and play in tournaments every weekend around the state of Georgia, Florida and South Carolina.

If you are interested in helping the Coastal Empire Elite reach their dreams, you can contact DeAnthony at 912-225-8013.