Local team needs county help

    There’s a new basketball team in town, the Edna Blue Devils, and they are looking for supporters and players in the county. Currently comprised of 7th and 8th graders in Edna, Head Coach Tony Callis saw a need for organized sports in the community and was inspired by his son to make something happen.
    “I was putting my son, Deion, in Corpus Christi tournaments last year, and only had a couple of players to add,” Callis said. “I did some research and wondered why Edna didn’t have their own team. If big cities do it why can’t we? I feel it should be like baseball with Little League.”
    Callis felt so strongly about having a local basketball team he started one himself and has been footing the bill since, including uniforms and tournament fees. He’s been hoping to find supporters and donations for the team because money is getting tight. The entrance fee for a tournament is $175 through De La Hoops Basketball Academy, out of Rockport and Corpus Christi.
    “We need money to feed them and pay for gas to drive to the games, it’d be great if the parents pitched in and got it started,” Callis said. “I bought them matching shorts for their first game, but I’m working on getting them uniforms now, we found some online they like.”
    The team has been working hard and practicing on the days Callis is off from work. He said the team has been working with heart and skill, they just need more experience playing together and they will have a great team. Callis added the Blue Devils have played some Select teams and beaten them, which has boosted their confidence.
    The team practices out at Brackenridge Park because it’s free and they have two full courts to use. “They never want to go home! I take Gatorade out there and we practice hard, it’s easy to see they love it,” Callis said. “The moment I’m free from work they’re ready to go, they want to learn and play.”
    Callis said he hopes to have two teams in the future and enter both teams in tournaments. “I plan to open a bank account under the team’s name if money comes in,” he said. “It’s not just about right now, it’s about leaving a legacy.”
    To learn more about the Edna Blue Devils and/or donate money to the team call Tony Callis at 361-218-2497. You can also find De La HOOPS on their Facebook page.