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Anitra Moore: Gaining more than basketball skills
 My Think Detroit PAL experiences have greatly helped me go on to playing college basketball! Think Detroit PAL not only keeps student athletes busy and out of trouble doing something they enjoy, it also teaches them discipline and respect. This is an organization where you are not going to speak to the officers, coaches and staff in a disrespectful fashion. You are expected to show intelligence, home training and respect. These are major keys, especially when communicating back and forth with different college coaches and recruiters. If you can not show respect, intelligence, and self pride along with skill on the court, then you are not going to fit into their program. Coaches are evaluated based on the athlete’s actions and success, in the classroom and on the floor, trust me their not going to lose their job if it is preventable. They have goals, dreams and aspirations as well.
I personally traveled with the TDP team two years in a row, 2007 and 2008. It was an experience I will never forget. I also happened to be captain both years! That was a great leadership experience, so if I ever have to step up at the college level I will have that under my belt. The first year we went to Kansas City, Missouri. This was the best year because we brought home the first place championship trophy. We won a very physical, tough game against a team from Philadelphia. It was a very emotional game, lots of tears were shared, but in the end we showed sportsmanship by shaking their hands and even hugging some of the girls from that team. That was also one of the best games of my career. The win was announced on the Steve Harvey Morning Show (nationally syndicated radio show) and on all kind of radio stations throughout Detroit. We went to a Detroit Pistons game and at center court before the game began, each one of our names were called in front of everyone. That was the greatest honor ever! I can not even explain how much fun I had with all the players, coaches and officers. I would love to do it again, again and again.
The second year we traveled to Virginia. This trip was also super fun! We had cheers for every situation that happened throughout the game. Watching the (Detroit) boys’ team play, cheering for them and them cheering for us made the games extra exciting. Everyone knew when Detroit was in the building and we always drew large crowds! We ended up losing the championship game to a team from Georgia, earning the second place trophy. This was also a tough emotional game, but in the end we got the experience of losing a tough game, so next time we’ll know how to win it. Its fun to get first place, but second isn’t too bad.
Think Detroit PAL has helped me gain leadership skills, traveling experience, playing under tough competition and many other life lessons. I would recommend anyone who loves the game and is willing to learn and grow, physically and mentally, to become a part of this program. I loved every moment of it and these experiences will always be one of my favorite lifetime memories!
Anitra Moore
Cass Tech Graduate `09
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