BY WENDI REARDON
Clarkston News Sports Writer
The first year for Mini Ballers Basketball Camp was a success with 105 during last week’s four-day camp at Clarkston High School.
“It is a great feeder system for kids going into Dan Fife Camps and Dare to Dream,” said Camp Director Tim Wasilk, who is assistant coach for the Clarkston Boys Varsity Basketball team and was head coach for the Lady Wolves varsity team. “
Mini Ballers Basketball Camp was created for boys entering first through third grade and girls entering first and second grade.
“I have a first grader and second grader,” Wasilk said about developing the camp. “There wasn’t a camp for kids in the summer for basketball. I figured we would start it up and see what kind of response we had and it’s been great.”
They offered two 2-hour sessions which included fundamentals consisting of shooting, passing, pivoting, ball handling, agility work with the ladder, rebounding and defense; games; and contest in 1-on-1, free throw, lightning and hot shot.
“The kids really like them and it’s cool, competitive games, and they have a good time with them,” Wasilk said.
The basketball hoops were adjusted for the younger kids to 8-foot and 9-foot so they could get into good habits with shooting and the proper fundamentals to shoot.
“It helps them with being more successful,” Wasilk explained. “The 10-foot hoop is hard for young kids. It’s nice to have the lower hoops for the kids. We are using smaller basketballs, girl size basketballs, because male basketballs are bigger.”
He added they had a good mix of kids who were playing for the first time and some kids have played before.
“You can see they are more experienced and they are sharpening up their skills,” Wasilk said.
“It gives kids the opportunity to really get off their butts during the summer and do something active,” he added. “It’s great not just as a feeder system but for these kids to meet new friends, have fun and get good exercise.”
The first session filled up with 60 campers, which was the max, and the second session had 45 campers. Wasilk added he hopes next year they get more campers for the second session.
Mini Ballers Basketball Camp is offered through Clarkston Community Education. For more information or to find other camps, please visit www.itpr.org or call 248-623-4326.