A chance meeting changed Daryl Johnson's direction in the sport of basketball.

Johnson had coached at his alma mater, Miami Beach High School, for 12 years. Then he met the founder of the Long Island Lighting, a prominent New York AAU program, on his job.

"He wanted to expand the Lightning away from New York, to other states," Johnson said. "We realized we had the same passions. We put our resources together and started a program in Miami."

Now he'll have the chance to compete for a title at the AAU 13U boys basketball national championships starting tomorrow in Orlando, Florida.

Watch AAU 13U nationals right here on FloHoops!

Helping inner-city kids was the passion of the Lightning founder, who wishes to remain anonymous. Johnson started the Florida Lightning in Overtown, a downtown area with a high rate of poverty.

"We have a partnership with Overtime Athletic Club," Johnson said. "We come from an area like the Bronx, that has a lot of poverty. We run a mentoring program and a tutoring program for our athletes. The majority of our athletes come from the downtown, Overtown area."

After eight months, the team outgrew its trophy case. Now in its fourth year, this year, the Florida Lightning expanded to nine teams from five.

In short, Johnson's dream is becoming a reality.

"Our goal is to continue helping and touching as many kids as possible," Johnson said. "We open as many doors as possible through Lightning basketball.

"The New York Lightning has produced over 500 athletic scholarships. Free education is what we're working for."

More Than Just Teammates: They Grew Up Together

The 13U Virginia Playmakers bring a unique dynamic: every one of coach Tony Nguyen's players come from the same town.

"All of our kids come from the same town and they grew up together," said Nguyen, who took the team over as fifth graders. "We were playing in a county league so you all had to be from the same zip code."

Out of Gainesville, Virginia, about 40 minutes outside of Washington, D.C., the Playmakers have participated in the Adidas Select Series circuit, playing in Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and New York.

"We always try to play in tournaments that are above us," Nguyen said. "Our goal is to develop kids to get to the next level."

Rising Stars Program Builds Skills, But Also Character

Dyimond Johnson had always had a passion working for kids. So much so that, earlier this year, he quit his job as a corrections officer in a Gainesville, Florida, prison, started a basketball program for kids, and returned to the Clearwater area who he grew up.

"I always gravitated towards kids," said Johnson, the younger brother of NFL football player Leonard Johnson. "There weren't many programs around dealing with building character, and what to do if you make it to college."

Dyimond's Rising Stars qualified for AAU nationals just three-and-a-half months after the program started.

New York Programs Boast Decorated Past

The New York Gauchos, out of the Bronx, New York, are one of New York City's most storied AAU programs. Started in 1967 and based in an industrial part of the South Bronx, the Gauchos have produced a plethora of professional players, among them Jamal Mashburn, Felipe Lopez, Kenny Anderson, Stephon Marbury, and Kemba Walker.

The Gauchos' coach, Dwayne Mitchell, has been involved with the program for years, while formerly serving as a coach at Rice High School, which closed in 2011. Mitchell is now the head coach at Monsignor Scanlan High School in the Bronx.

The Albany City Rocks, out of Albany, New York, have established themselves as a force on the Nike EYBL circuit. Led by President Jim Hart, the City Rocks regularly showcase some of upstate New York's top prospects. Alumni include Jimmer Fredette, Lazar Hayward, James Thomas, and countless Division I players.

Don't forget to catch all the 13U basketball action live right here on FloHoops.

Brian Towey is a Queens, New York-based writer covering basketball and track and field. He can be reached at bc_towey@yahoo.com and @BcTowey.