A group of at-risk students in San Diego County's juvenile court system compete in their first basketball championship Thursday. KPBS Reporter Ana Tintocalis has the story.
All of these students have had a tough time growing up. Some have been in and out of jail. Others have lived on the streets. But for the past eight weeks the teenagers have put all their troubles behind them for this competition. But in order to play the kids have had to earn good grades, attend school every day and not get suspended from class.
Kyle Kay, Quentin Duenez and Jacob Black say they've earned their spot on the court.
Kyle: In order to play we had to do well so...
Quentin: Yeah...I'm doing really good actually...
Jacob: I'm doing well too.
Quentin: It's well worth it....easily.
Most of the students have never played on an organized sports team before. The program, called REstart , also offers flag football and indoor soccer teams for students in the county's juvenile court program.
Ana Tintocalis, KPBS News.
