Every sporting event has a winner and a loser.

But when the buzzer sounds, the fans file out and the lights go off, there’s more to sports than just the game.

Practice, teamwork and work ethic build up the players. Good players build up a community.

That’s a philosophy Alcorn State University basketball coach Sam West preaches often. And this week, he’s doing more than delivering his sermon. He’s walking the walk.

West’s annual basketball camp kicked off earlier this week, bringing scores of Natchez children to the Margaret Martin gym for some fun fundamentals, as West said.

West teaches the girls and boys how to shoot and dribble and do “zig zag drills.”

But he also teaches them life.

The campers know when they come to camp they’ll have fun, but they’ll work hard.

They build self-confidence when they make a basket and learn good sportsmanship when they don’t.

And they learn to listen to a coach and follow directions.

West knows his campers will soon be community members, even leaders, and he’s willing to invest in them now.

His camp is one of many in the area this summer. Most have similar goals.

Investing in the future of our children should be the No. 1 goal of our entire community.