As UC coach Bob Huggins talks about Hoop Fest Thursday on Fountain Square, former Taft High player Harold Howard studies an artist's rendering of an NBA-style court to be built at a community center. (Glenn Hartong photo) | ZOOM |

        The Greater Cincinnati Sports Corp. is hoping Tristate youngsters will spend the summer off the streets and on the basketball courts.

        The group, which tries to lure special events to the area, is working with local community centers and foundations to sponsor the Greater Cincinnati 2001 Summertime Hoop Fest, a series of free basketball camps, clinics and leagues.

        “With everything going on in the past few months, here's a way to get everyone involved,” said Leslie Spencer, director of events for Greater Cincinnati Sports Corp. “Here's a way to unite the community.”

        Watson's Super Stores, the Mathis Foundation for Children, and ProHoop Courts — which installs NBA equipment — will also team up to remodel a basketball court at an undetermined site that is expected to rival National Basketball Association courts.

        The eight-week Hoop Fest will include free youth and adult basketball leagues at Millvale and Price Hill recreation centers, free week-long basketball youth camps (June 25-Aug. 3), free skill clinics, the 10th annual “Back on the Block” tournament and the Ujima Cincibration 2001, a 3-on-3 tournament and slam-dunk contest.

        College athletes who attended high school here will lead the camps and clinics and will provide drug- and violence-prevention education.

        For information, call the Millvale Community Center, 352-4351, or Cincinnati Recreation Center, 352-4944.
       

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