Since 1977, John Bailey has given Colorado kids something to do.
From his Joint Effort program’s early days at the Red Shield Community Center on High Street to various high schools and Regis College, the program has been about two things.
“It’s about Colorado basketball and the community,” Bailey said Saturday as the latest version — the Colorado Basketball Classic and Western regional Challenge Tournament — was capped at Manual High School.
Perpetually active in the Denver community, Bailey and his event offer all-star play, including from players out of state; various information on high schools and colleges; college scouting; clinics on fundamentals; and how young people should conduct themselves.
Also incorporating the Hiawatha Davis Recreation Center, the week-long program, which reaches into middle schools, recognizes players to coaches as well as local businesses.
Products of the program include Chauncey Billups and former Denver Prep League stars back to the 1970s.
This year’s awards:
Billups players of the year: Cameron Michael, Loveland; Chris Hansen, Fossil Ridge; Dominic Williams, Abraham Lincoln; Riley Grabau, Boulder; Brett Olson, Highlands Ranch; Carlie Needles, ThunderRidge; Katelyn McDaniel, Highlands Ranch; and Jamie Katuna, Longmont.
Coaches of the year: Mike Holloway, Sterling boys; Alan Schulz, Boulder boys; and Caryn Jarocki, Highlands Ranch girls.
DPL coaches of the year: Rudy Carey, East boys; Dwight Berry, East girls.
Community service awards: Michael Hancock, Denver mayoral candidate and city councilman; Nate Easley, president of the Denver board of education; and the Colorado High School Activities Association.
Community hoops awards: Marty Clark, Next Level Basketball; Carl Mattei, Mile Hi Magic and Regis Jesuit girls; Sean Nolen, Elite Basketball; Roland “Fatty” Taylor, Taylor Made Basketball; Addison Cilli, Mile High Hoops; John Andrew, Denver Public Schools athletics; Greg Willis, Colorado Hawks; Tree Adams, Tru-Playsz Basketball; Steve Fendry, Colorado Hoopsters; Metise Moore, Denver Hooperz Basketball; Jarocki, Colorado Basketball Club; Tom Bednark, Colorado Sports Authority; Bruce Dick, Rocky Mountain Fever Basketball; Randy Perkins, Colorado Miners Basketball; Sonny Scarlett, Shining Stars Basketball; Kim Thompson, Boulder Rockies Basketball; Mark Sharpley, Junior Athletics of the Midwest; and Ronnie DeGray, Chauncey Billups Elite Basketball Academy.
The Highlands Ranch girls team, which won the program’s seventh title in March, also was honored.
Joint Effort also will host the Donnie Wilson Denver Pro-Am Summer League from May 30-Aug. 15, as well as development camps all summer.
For more information, call 303-745-0649.
Neil H. Devlin: 303-954-1714 or ndevlin@denverpost.com
