For young girls hoping to take their basketball skills to school, Girls Rock University was there for them. The basketball school, coached by former high school and collegiate basketball player Jen Pieh, wrapped up its inaugural season two weeks ago.
The school is designed to offer a relaxed atmosphere for girls from fourth through eighth grade of all experience levels.
‘We were trying to build their confidence so they could do something like AAU. It was more or less a fun thing for the girls. There is a lot of pressure at that age,? Pieh said.
Pieh wanted to start the program so she could share the little things she picked up throughout her career and pass them along.
The group met for eight weeks. During their one-hour sessions at the Community Education gym, the girls worked on drills, strengthening, running plays and scrimmages.
At the beginning of the sessions, Pieh gave each student a card where she could list shot and long-term goals and what level they hoped to play.
‘We wanted girls to set goals and build their confidence,? Pieh said.
‘I wanted them to build confidence so they don’t drop the sport all together. When you get into high school, only so many girls make the team.?
The relaxed atmosphere was great for the girls, but parents also appreciated Girls Rock U’s easy-going nature. Compared to AAU and travel teams, the girls didn’t have to commute, there was no stress, and the financial commitment from parents was far less, Pieh said.
Cathy Starnes, mother of fourth grader Elizabeth, said her daughter really enjoyed the basketball school. Elizabeth had just begun to play the sport prior to Girls Rock U.
‘She loved it and she gained a lot of skill. I saw a great improvement in the seven or eight weeks she was there. (Pieh) worked on very specific skills and the form. The girls learned some true basketball skills,? Cathy said.
She appreciated the camp because of the way it was organized and structured,
?(Elizabeth) got very specific information about what to do and she followed that. It wasn’t just the kids running around on the court. It was structured like a game should be,? Cathy said.
The students got to rotate through all the positions on the court. While playing center, Elizabeth learned some tips for working in the post.
‘Always be in the key and under the basket. That’s the main thing,? Elizabeth said.
‘It was fun because you got to interact with all the other positions.?
Pam Setter, whose fourth-grade daughter Gina played Girls Rock U, agreed with the Starnes.
‘I hope they get this going as an official league in the area. (Pieh) got it together for those girls and I hope she can keep it together,? Pam said.
In addition to learning basketball fundamentals, the girls learned team spirit, respect and teamwork, she said.
Gina, who has played for four years, will be in much better condition to tryout for middle school and junior high school teams.
‘It will make her more comfortable to try out, it gave her confidence,? Pam said.
Pieh is already planning for next year, where she hopes to add inter-city competition with neighboring communities. She might also move the program to anther season due to the decision by the Michigan High School Athletic Association to move girls? basketball from the fall to winter.