716ers Announce New Youth Division

The Buffalo 716ers, members of the Premier Basketball League (PBL) east division, will field youth basketball teams in the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU). This new club, called the 716ers Elite, will field both boys and girls teams for ages 8 through 18.

There will be 9 divisions for both the boys and girls: 8 & under, 9 years old, 10 years old, 11 years old, 12 years old, 13 years old, 14 years old, 15-16 year olds, and 17-18 year olds.

A total of 240 youth will be selected to participate in this program.

The club will feature current 716ers coaches Tawan Slaughter, Mario Williams, Victor Arroyo, and Damien Goodwin. Williams will coach the 15u boys team, Goodwin will coach the 16u boys team, and Arroyo will coach the 17u boys team. Joe Scarsella has been hired to coach the 14u boys team.

“I have seen the love and community support the 716ers have received for the last two years, and saw a need in this community for a highly competitive youth basketball program. There is a difference between playing in a house league and the AAU. The 716ers Elite program has been developed to teach kids the true fundamentals and skills of the game. All of the coaches we bring in will have played collegiately, and are now coaching either collegiately, professionally, or at a high level of the game,” said Buffalo 716ers Elite founder Tawan Slaughter.

Kendra Brim, a former Nardin High School and Colgate University star, is the first coach brought in to coach a female team. As a student at Nardin, Brimm scored 1,184 points, including her record breaking 486 points as a senior. As a senior Brimm led Nardin to the State Catholic Championship. Brimm scored 325 points, 184 rebounds, 28 blocked shots and 27 steals as a collegiate athlete at Colgate.

Brimm will coach the 16u girls team. For the past three seasons Brimm has been the varsity basketball coach at Nardin High School for the past three season.

Candidates are currently being evaluated for the remaining coaching vacancies. Those interested in coaching can send their letter of interest and resume to 716erseliteaau@buffalo716ers.net

In addition to Buffalo area youth playing in the program, there will be one team from canada representing the 716ers Elite.

Youth tryout dates will be announced shortly. Parents that are interested in registering their child can send an e-mail to 716erseliteaau@buffalo716ers.net. Please indicate the child’s name, age, grade in school, and school they currently attend. Students must maintain a high grade point average to remain eligible to participate.