ODESSA, Texas — Summer vacation is filled with long days waiting to be filled with fun activities. Some use the time to hone a skill for their sport. Midland Christian grad Jaythan Jones is giving this opportunity to girls' basketball players in the Permian Basin as the head coach AAU team, the West Texas Empire.
"Our main goal is making sure that these young ladies they make sure they exceed in life and grow each and every year until they go off to college, so they can get a scholarship and go play basketball somewhere," Jones said.
High-level competition like this is usually more common in largely cities across the state, but Jones finds it important to bring these opportunities to West Texas and give these athletes a family environment.
"Like I always tell our girls, we make sure that whatever they're going through at home, school, or whatever that we supply this so they can come and get away from that," Jones said.
This comfortable setting is also created by the coaching staff that has trickled down to the players.
"For some kids, it's a way out. You don't know what they are going through. This can be their happy place. Let them know someone is there for them and they don't have to worry if they need anything. We're like a family here," West Texas Empire assistant coach Tay Armendariz.
"Giving them something to look up to and they don't have to be home in the summertime. They can get off the couch and come work," assistant coach "Coach D" said.
"My favorite part is meeting new people that I met," player Alondra Moreno said.
"Me too. I made a new friendship with all these girls." player Angelique Acosta said.
"My favorite part is everyone. All the coaches, basically everyone and the basketball part too," player Jiselle Corral.
There have been some challenges to his endeavor with logistics obstacles. Jones is asking the community to help his team and others across the Basin finding places to play, so they can continue contributing to the community.
"We're just limited on space, but I feel like if us community can come together not just for my team, but for everyone in AAU in West Texas that would probably be a bigger help. I know growing up we had places to practice. It was easy getting a gum. Now, it's hard getting the gym," Jones said.
The West Texas Empire practices multiple times a week and travel around the state to play top tier competition.