Menu
Hooping it up: Camp helps girls hone basketball skills
NEW MADRID, Mo. — The little girl eyed the hoop far above her head. Aiming carefully she used both hands to hoist the ball into the air. It wobbled ever so briefly on the rim and dropped through the net.
The grin on the young player’s face was as wide, well as wide as a basketball.
That joy in the game was exactly what New Madrid County Central High School’s new basketball coach was shooting for in sponsoring a basketball camp for girls in first through sixth grades this summer. And while the camp was designed to be fun, Woods and assistant coach Victoria Duenne were also concentrating on teaching the players basic skills and the fundamentals of the game.
“We want to show them hard work can still be fun,” Woods said. “We want to get the young kids involved and excited about playing basketball.”
Joseph McClarty said his daughters Audrey and Addison enjoyed the three-day camp.
“They said they have learned a lot,” he said from his spot in the stands watching as the camp wound down with a showcase for the parents. “They have enjoyed the interaction with the coaches and it has kind of sparked a fire in them to continue to play basketball.”
According to McClarty it was also a way to get to know the new coach and to support the New Madrid County Central Booster Club and the New Madrid County R-1 School District.
“I know coach Woods is working hard,” he said. “We are excited to have her and we are glad the coaches took the time out to work with our kids.”
Nearby Lisa Dawson watched as granddaughter, Hope Dawson, worked on her shooting. Basketball is one of Hope’s favorite sports, Dawson said.
“She has enjoyed being here with the other girls and she loves basketball,” Dawson said, adding with a laugh that after each day at camp Hope has come home tired.
There was plenty of laughter among the girls as they demonstrated their skills at offense and defense. There was plenty of competition as well as they dribbled a basketball while also trying to swat another player’s ball out of bounds or raced up and down the court.
For 11-year-old Audrey McClarty it was all fun. Smiling broadly she noted she had learned the correct way to shoot a lay-up.
Isabella Swafford, 10, said she likes sports and plays basketball and wrestles. She said she plans to come back to camp next year and will urge more of her friends to attend.
“I will tell them it is really fun and you get to know a lot of people,” Isabella said.
The new coach admitted to being surprised by some of the talents displayed by the young players. She is also looking at the future for the New Madrid Lady Eagles.
“Some of them came out and they knew more than I thought they would so that is exciting,” she said. “I see a lot of potential and I’m excited to see what we can get done.”
