For almost a decade, Basketball by-the-Sea has become an important part of extra-mural activities for Charlotte County youth. The camp is organized by Joe Ticotsky (a 30+ year director of the Connecticut Starters AA Basketball Club) who travels every summer to the seaside Canadian town from New Haven, Connecticut to coach local youths in St. Andrews, New Brunswick alongside other star players, including pro basketball player Brandon Sherrod who currently plays for Israel and former college basketball star Melissa Teel who played at Western Connecticut State University.

"When I was 14, I was morbidly obese at 315 lbs. I ended up playing basketball because my friends wanted me to join the team because I was tall, said Sherrod about how basketball changed his life growing up. "After my freshman year, I had lost 100 lbs. I started varsity basketball the next year and then got recruited to go to Yale."

"Basketball helped me develop the skill of perseverance growing up," said Teel. "When you fall, you pick yourself up and get back in the game."

Beyond physical and mental health benefits, Sherrod and Teel believe basketball also helps establish an importance sense of belonging and camaraderie for youths as they develop into adults. 

"Basketball also gave me a sense of community. Being in a team support allowed me to make life-long friends. Basketball is a really big family. Even when you travel abroad, you can find common ground on the court. Exposure is extremely important, which is why we love coming here every year," said Sherrod.