You don't know where your friends are. The kids aren't in school. Even the way a lot of people drive to work is different. There are just so many changes.

We've got a few kids who are friends with people on the (school) newspaper, and they've kind of pushed them a little bit. (The newspaper) wrote a story about the fact that we don't get a lot of recognition inside our school. We're getting a lot of students coming out to our games.

I think the school board felt this is a way to continue to help the kids in River Valley.

The overall goal is to increase the number of kids who get high school diplomas . ... I thought maybe I can make a difference with one student.

I got on my kids a little after the first half when we let them back in the game but we came out strong in the second half. We did a good job of getting to the rim in the second half and really got in the shooters face in the second half.

The theory is that as kids get connected to their school, family and community, they're less likely to use (drugs).