Submitted
Winston-Salem Certified are members of the East Coast Basketball League
(ECBL). A semi-pro league.
W-S Certified offers
locals a chance to
continue basketball
careers
BY TEVIN STINSON
THE CHRONICLE
Over the years, the city of Winston-Salem has been known to breed some of the most
well-known basketball talent in the nation.
From L.A. Clippers' superstar Chris Paul, all the way down to the nation's top high
school recruit Harry Giles, the city has a tradition deeply rooted in the hardwood.
Although some stars make it to the big time right after college or high school, often
the majority of the'talent in the area is overlooked for one reason or another, until now.
Winston-Salem Certified offers a venue for basketball talent in the area who may
have been overlooked by professional or college scouts. The team competes in the East
Coast Basketball League (ECBL) and features a number of players who were stars at a
number of local high schools including Winston-Salem Prep, Parkland, and Glenn.
The ECBL is governed by the league's team owners and promotes a network model
in which teams are involved with area communities and local businesses.
According to team representative Byron Knapper, the ECBL is very competitive and
has teams spanning from Petersburg, Virginia, down to Savannah, Georgia.
"The league is very competitive and official," he continued. "The players use the
league as an avenue to help guys gain exposure for overseas purposes and so on."
Last season was the team's first year competing in the semi-pro league and they man
aged to finish in a tie for second place in the very competitive Northern Division, which
features teams from Fayetteville, as well as High Point.
Knapper and a number of players from last year's team believe now that they have a
year of competing in the league under their belts, they now know what it will take to win
it all.
"Last year I think the players were still getting a feel of how teams in the league
played." he said. "This year with a few more additions to the team, I think we will have
what it takes to win it all."
With the season set to begin in the spring, W-S Certified has held a number of tryouts
and open gym events in recent weeks. The tryouts are open to anyone over the age of 18
who has graduated from high school.
For more information on W-S Certified or the ECBL, contact Byron Knapper by
email at wsteamcertified@gmail.com, or by phone at (336) 926-5444.
SSU's James Wilhelmi named
CIAA Coach of the Week
qppi"1AI.TO THE CHRONICLE _
CHARLOTTE - Winston-Salem State University head basketball coach, James
Wilhelmi, has been selected as the CIAA Coach of the Week.
Coach Wilhelmi, in his second season at the helm of the WSSU program, led his
Rams to a 2-0 week, where the Rams earned wins over Morris College (97-87) and a road
win over Vinpnia Union (82-71).
The Rams are off to a 4-2 start and will face Glenville State tonight at 7 p.m. at the
Waco Center, in Glenville, W.Va.
The game will be streamed live at http://rn.ustream.tv/channel/gsc-pioneer-athletics.
? ?,
i
Submitted
iembers of Winston-Salem Certified are looking forward to the teams second
eason in the East Coast Basketball League (ECBL). Last year the team finished
n a tie for second place.
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