Youth sports nonprofit coaches South Coast players on more than just basketball

MATTAPOISETT — Kevin Edwards could be making a lot of money coaching basketball.

The Lakeville resident has been playing the game since high school and has coached many successful players. Several now play professionally, including Bruce Brown on the Denver Nuggets. 

He’s coached several American Amateur Union teams, a youth club organization that is often costly to participate in — costing players hundreds or thousands to join. 

However, instead of pursuing monetary gain, Edwards serves at-risk and neglected youth by day and co-runs a basketball team for no paycheck by night.

Together Edwards and David Arancio, of Rochester, run the SNE Cannons youth basketball program and provide high-level training and competition to players while only charging the cost of equipment and renting practice space.

“I've really tried to put this players over profits perspective out there — AAU basketball has gotten this name of being just a money grab,” Arancio said. “Being a nonprofit in this game is not for the faint of heart.”

The two are close friends and cousins by marriage. They decided to start a team together to serve area athletes and offer an affordable option to what can often be an expensive pastime. 

Now in its third season, the Cannons program includes three sub-teams — one each for girls and boys, and the Cannons Smoke team for high-level players — split into several age groups.

“Our mantra is player over profits,” Edwards said. “Dave [Arancio] and I don't get paid to do this passion, and it's also an opportunity to spend time with our kids and other people's kids.”

He said not every kid in the Tri-Town lives in a two-parent household or has the means to play on an AAU team. They could charge more for the service they provide, but they want to provide an affordable opportunity for youth athletes. 

As the program has expanded and grown a reputation in the area, players have traveled from surrounding towns to try out for the team. 

Sean Carvalho, a 14-year-old from Acushnet, joined the team last year. He said he tried out for several AAU teams in the region, but chose the Cannons after meeting and hearing from its coaching staff.

He said his coaches can be hard on the team, but they are “really nice” and get their players in good shape for games. They also maintain a positive atmosphere among players, and Carvalho said his teammates are kind and encouraging.

“This team, the coaching staff, it's really good,” Carvalho said. “I haven't found any other coaching staff around this area that’s been as nice and as hard working as this team's.” 

While players travel from across the South Coast to join the team, the Cannons operate out of Mattapoisett and the founders said they are invested in the Tri-Town.

“The Tri-Town is where our heartbeat is, we’re dedicated to the kids in the Tri-Town. I can put Lakeville in there too,” Edwards said.

Arancio said the community response has been positive, and he is thankful for their and the school district's investment in the program and players he helps lead. 

The Cannons coaches, particularly Edwards and Arancio, invest right back into the community.

Edwards is passionate about serving area youth. He is the director of the Plymouth campus of The Home for Little Wanderers, a residential and outpatient child and family service agency, and said his gift is being able to work tirelessly with kids.

He said in his role as a coach, he serves as a third parent for many of his players. Whether Edwards is attending parent-teacher conferences or Arancio is watching non-Cannons teams his players are on, they show up for those on their teams.

“It means something to me to be there for kids who need me,” Edwards said.

Beyond seeing them become successful in the game, Edwards said the program aims to teach players valuable life skills. 

Arancio said playing sports helps kids develop a healthy sense of competition, social skills and an ability to work as a team member instead of individual. 

Edwards said the coaches in the program hold their players to high standards and help them become “better individuals.”

These high standards include the “Cannon culture,” which Arancio described as seeing players as an extension of the coaches, parents and organization as a whole.

“If they're doing something improper, whether it be on or off the court, people associate them with the Cannons,” he said. “We protect that [reputation] because in turn, we want them to take a lot of pride in being a Cannon.”