By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com
MORTONS GAP -- Youth athletic camps and workshops present more than opportunities for the participants to gain knowledge on an individual sport, but also life lessons.
Organizers at this year's Hopkins County Central Storm Basketball Fundamentals Camp hope each of the 65 campers understand the possibilities to grow as players and people during this week's event.
Storm coach Matt Bell said the kids can benefit in a myriad of ways.
"If we can help them to learn something about themselves or about the game of basketball this week than we feel we've done a good job, as well as teamwork," Bell said. "These kids don't play together on regular teams. They come from all over the county and even outside the county, so just learning how to play with each other on the floor (is important)."
Bell said participants range from all directions of Hopkins County as well as a few from Webster County. The camp, which began Monday and lasts through Thursday, has two sessions with grades one through four in the morning and five through eight in the afternoon. This year's event marks the second time Bell and Lady Storm coach Jennifer Hibbs have worked in conjunction.
Each session is geared toward the different age levels in varying aspects, but the general focus remains the same.
"Our camp is more designed for individual improvement rather than who wins what award at the end of the camp," Hibbs said. "The kids learn it's not about what you do, it's about how you get better every single day."
Organizers at this year's Hopkins County Central Storm Basketball Fundamentals Camp hope each of the 65 campers understand the possibilities to grow as players and people during this week's event.
Storm coach Matt Bell said the kids can benefit in a myriad of ways.
"If we can help them to learn something about themselves or about the game of basketball this week than we feel we've done a good job, as well as teamwork," Bell said. "These kids don't play together on regular teams. They come from all over the county and even outside the county, so just learning how to play with each other on the floor (is important)."
Bell said participants range from all directions of Hopkins County as well as a few from Webster County. The camp, which began Monday and lasts through Thursday, has two sessions with grades one through four in the morning and five through eight in the afternoon. This year's event marks the second time Bell and Lady Storm coach Jennifer Hibbs have worked in conjunction.
Each session is geared toward the different age levels in varying aspects, but the general focus remains the same.
"Our camp is more designed for individual improvement rather than who wins what award at the end of the camp," Hibbs said. "The kids learn it's not about what you do, it's about how you get better every single day."
Sydney Abbott, a third-grader at Southside Elementary, took part in the camp for her second time and described her favorite stations.
"I like to do the obstacle courses and go upstairs (in the gym) and do the jump stuff."
Hanson Elementary fifth-grader Noah Cunningham elaborated on the jumping station, which he rated his favorite.
"You jump rope and try to get 30 in a row," Cunningham said. "Then, you stood on one foot and tried to get 15 and stand on the other foot and get 15. Then, you jumped on boxes."
As one of the elder campers, Cunningham said he also learned techniques like outlet and curl passes.
For the coaches, it's also rewarding to see how their own players, who serve as helpers, relate with the children.
"For every camper we try to have a player that is either a big brother or big sister and the kids really take to their players, so during our breaks the players mess around with the kids and interact," Hibbs said. "They get along with each other."
As coaches, it's also fun to watch the Central players incorporate skills they have been taught during practice or the season, Hibbs said.
"In station work, our players teach the campers stuff we have been teaching them from day one, and they're not great at, but it's interesting to see our players teach the campers," she said. "You see them get frustrated or you see them really break stuff down, so as a coach when you see your players teach somebody else that just lets you know that at least they're listening to things you say."
From campers to players and coaches, each has an opportunity to learn at this week's camp whether about life or the game.
"I like to do the obstacle courses and go upstairs (in the gym) and do the jump stuff."
Hanson Elementary fifth-grader Noah Cunningham elaborated on the jumping station, which he rated his favorite.
"You jump rope and try to get 30 in a row," Cunningham said. "Then, you stood on one foot and tried to get 15 and stand on the other foot and get 15. Then, you jumped on boxes."
As one of the elder campers, Cunningham said he also learned techniques like outlet and curl passes.
For the coaches, it's also rewarding to see how their own players, who serve as helpers, relate with the children.
"For every camper we try to have a player that is either a big brother or big sister and the kids really take to their players, so during our breaks the players mess around with the kids and interact," Hibbs said. "They get along with each other."
As coaches, it's also fun to watch the Central players incorporate skills they have been taught during practice or the season, Hibbs said.
"In station work, our players teach the campers stuff we have been teaching them from day one, and they're not great at, but it's interesting to see our players teach the campers," she said. "You see them get frustrated or you see them really break stuff down, so as a coach when you see your players teach somebody else that just lets you know that at least they're listening to things you say."
From campers to players and coaches, each has an opportunity to learn at this week's camp whether about life or the game.
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