BY WENDI REARDON PRICE
Clarkston News Sports Writer
Young Cagers showed off the moves and skills they had been working on for four days in the Clarkston High School gymnasium last week.
Mini Ballers Basketball Camp, open for boys going into Kindergarten through third grade and girls going into Kindergarten through second grade, helps young players with fundamentals of the game like shooting, passing, pivoting, defense, rebounding and footwork.
“They have been working hard,” said Tim Wasilk, assistant coach for Clarkston Boys Varsity Basketball. “They have great attitudes. We have some kids who have been here before and some are just starting out. They are having fun and thankfully the weather is decent.”

An addition to the second year for the camp was opening enrollment to Kindergarten players because they had the room for them, Wasilk explained. They had 10-15 between the two sessions held.
“The hoops are low enough they can be successful, make shots and have fun. We thought they were ready for it,” he said, adding the basketball hoops were lower for each grade level to be successful.
The campers were led by varsity players from both the girls and boys basketball teams and coaches from the program.
They had different contests every day and winners from every day competed in the championship on Thursday for trophies.
“Kids get excited about it,” Wasilk said.
Hot Shot champions from both sessions for Kindergartan/first grade, second grade and third grade were Zackary Gifford, Chase Gladwish, Alex Wasczenko, Paxton Conklin, Ava Wasilk and Asher Lamz.
Free Throw Knockout champions were Michael Groff, Owen Poole, Waszczenko, Anthony Winningham, Ava Wasilk and Zackary Coin.
Lightning champions were Zachery Denver, Max O’Mara, Waszczenko, Owen Martin, Brody Champagne and Smith Wasilk. One-on-one champions were Denver, O’Mara and Trey Lewis, Conklin, Caleb East and Smith Wasilk.
Mini Ballers Basketball Camp was held through Clarkston Community Education and Independence Township Parks, Recreation and Seniors.