The Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center (NAVSUP FLC) Yokosuka Command Master Chief coached the winning youth basketball team at the 2017 Pacific Rim Championships held in Hawaii June 30-July 2.

Command Master Chief Steve Horton led the team comprised of youth who attend Kinnick High School in Yokosuka, Japan and have families serving on active duty or as U.S. civil servants.

"These kids worked really hard to get here and to get to this level," said Horton. "I'm very proud of their effort and commitment to the team."

Part of the Jam On It Basketball Tournament series, the 2017 Pacific Rim Championships drew more than 90 teams.

The team of nine players Horton coached are part of the Yoko Xpress Youth Basketball Team, an organization that has been providing opportunities for youth from middle school through high school since 2011.

Horton took over as president of the Yoko Xpress Youth Basketball Team back in 2013. The organization's mission is to enhance the basketball skills of young men and women in an environment that allows them to compete.

The Kinnick team is the first high school team that has gone to the championships.

"The San Antonio Spurs have a video called 'The Beautiful Game.' These kids played a beautiful game," said Horton.

Horton said school grades and work ethic are determining factors in the success of the players and the kind of person they will become as an adult.

"I tell these kids to respect everyone and they can do whatever they want in life. All the seniors will be heading on to college with good grades," he said. "Being overseas can make it difficult for kids to get the exposure to recruiters that they would get in The States. We try to enable them to the get the same opportunities."

According to Horton, there are not many youth basketball teams or sports activities for kids in the Yokosuka area.

Many military kids, and in particular those who live overseas, do not have many of the sports opportunities available to kids who play sports throughout their high school years in the same school, in the same town. It can also be challenging getting sports recruiters to visit foreign countries.

Organizations such as Yoko Xpress and coaches like Horton are the conduit between talent and the possibility of a sports career for a young, aspiring basketball player.

Most of the kids on the team have been practicing together for several years.

Since basketball is an international sport, Yoko Xpress teams often play their Japanese counterparts while in middle school. However, as they move to the high school level, they compete with other Department of Defense high schools throughout Japan.

At six feet three inches tall, Andre Roberts plays center for the team and will be going into his senior year at Kinnick in the fall.

"I've known everyone on the team for a few years," said Roberts. "It's a good feeling being a small team from Japan, going to Hawaii to compete, and winning."

More than 90 teams participated in the championship.

Roberts said teamwork was the contributing factor to their success.

"Teamwork is the number one thing I learned practicing and playing with the team," said Roberts. "If one person does something we can't win. But if everyone does their job, we come out on top. I like to play basketball because it's a positive in my life."

Horton said he gets tremendous satisfaction coaching the team and watching them play.

"Just seeing the kids improve, seeing them change and work hand-in-hand, is a great feeling," said Horton.

"Basketball unites people and brings the best out of them. I've learned so much about leadership in the Navy. It's given me the tools I need to use as a youth basketball coach," said Horton.

The Yoko Xpress is a nonprofit organization founded in 2011 to provide a quality basketball program for all youth. The organization strives to maintain good community relations and promote a positive team environment for all kids.

For more information on the Yoko Xpress Basketball Team, visit https://www.facebook.com/YokoExpress2011/

Check out the AFN Yokosuka video at

NAVSUP FLC Yokosuka is one of eight fleet logistics centers under NAVSUP Global Logistics Support (GLS). Headquartered just 26 miles south of Tokyo, it is the western Pacific region's largest U.S. Navy logistics command, networking more than 14 sites with a mission to deliver supply and logistics solutions that enable deployed maritime warfighter readiness in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

NAVSUP GLS provides global logistics for a global Navy. The organization is made up of approximately 6,300 military and civilian logistics professionals operating from 105 locations worldwide, providing an extensive array of integrated global logistics and contracting services to Navy, Marine Corps, joint operational units, and allied forces across all warfare enterprises.

For more NAVSUP GLS news visit http://www.navsup.navy.mil/navsup/ourteam/navsupgls/news.

NAVSUP provides U.S. naval forces with quality supplies and services. With headquarters in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, and employing a diverse, worldwide workforce of more than 22,500 military and civilian personnel, NAVSUP oversees logistics programs in the areas of supply operations, conventional ordnance, contracting, resale, fuel, transportation, and security assistance. In addition, NAVSUP is responsible for quality-of-life issues for naval forces including food service, postal services, Navy Exchanges, and movement of household goods.

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