Basketball carries on at camps

Published 12:00 am Sunday, April 2, 2000

College basketball will be history for another season when Michigan State faces Florida for the national championship tonight.

But that doesn’t mean the coaching and teaching stops. That’s actually when an important part starts as basketball camps tip off next month and go through the summer.

Alcorn State men’s basketball coach Dave Whitney will hold his camp July 16-22 at the Dave Whitney Complex in Lorman.

Email newsletter signup

The camp is for boys grades 9-12 and registration will be held July 16 between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the gym.

&uot;I think for kids in high school and even younger than that, a camp is critical nowadays,&uot; Whitney said. &uot;Coaches want to win so much that they don’t devote as much time to fundamentals and the mentality of the game — that’s most important in developing a program. Most kids just know how to dunk and shoot. We want them to be able to dribble with their heads up, block out, move their feet to maintain good balance on defense and all of the fundamental skills it takes to play basketball.&uot;

The cost for the camp is $110 for commuting campers and $140 for overnight campers. Certified checks can be made out to the Alcorn State Basketball Camp.

The Alcorn coaching staff, former Alcorn players and high school coaches will help conduct the camp.

Camps serve another purpose.

&uot;It does help you get a look at younger players,&uot; Whitney said.

Alcorn State women’s coach Shirley Walker is conducing her camp July 10-13 for girls grades 7-12 with registration set for July 9 between 4 and 6 p.m. at the Dave Whitney Complex.

Cost is $85 for day campers and $110 for overnight participants. Certified checks should be made payable to Shirley A. Walker Basketball Camp.

The Lady Braves coaching staff, current and former members of the Alcorn women’s team and high school coaches will assist.

Alcorn assistant coach Sam West will conduct his annual Miss-Lou Basketball Camp at Martin Gym.

The girls session will be held May 29-June 1 for grades 1-8 from 8 a.m. to noon.

The boys will have two sessions from June 12-15. Grades 1-4 will go from 8 a.m. to noon, while grades 5-8 will go from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Registration is $45.

West will also have a camp June 2-3 for junior high students.

&uot;Our camps are always about fun and fundamentals,&uot; West said. &uot;We have great sponsorship and support from the community. The camps keep growing every year.&uot;

The 20th Annual John Stroud Professional Basketball Camps will be held in June and July.

The Shooting Camp for boys and girls ages 7-18 will be held at Millsaps College June 2-3. Coast is $95 for boys and girls.

Stroud will hold his Girls Day Camp June 26-29 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for ages 6-15. Cost is $95.

The Boys Day Camp will be July 10-13 and July 17-20 for ages 6-15 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Cost is $95.