Hettinger, Royals Staff Host Hoops Campers
By KEVIN HARRIS, Correspondent
Jul 22, 2012, 18:45
PRINCE GEORGE — Kids of all ages run up and down the court. They do warmup stretches, practice shooting, play games and work on ballhandling all in the hopes of improving their game.
This past week, Prince George basketball coach David Hettinger hosted the Prince George Basketball Camp at the Prince George High School gymnasium. The camp was for grades K-12 and lasted from 8 a.m. until noon from Monday
The camp featured a 30-minute free shoot to start the day — followed by 25- minute sessions at six different stations. The stations included defense, ballhandling, shooting, passing, speed, and strength and conditioning.
Hettinger hosted this camp in the hopes of teaching kids the game of basketball.
"I hope to help these kids learn the game at a young age and just give them a place to play," Hettinger said. "Then in seven or eight years if they are still here some of them may just play for us."
The camp was attended by 21 players. This was around the turnout Hettinger expected.
"I was expecting around 20 kids," Hettinger said. "This was a good turnout considering an NBA player (Charlotte Bobcats guard Reggie Williams) hosted a camp in this same gym just three weeks ago."
Hettinger was helped by current varsity players, former varsity players, as well as coaches.
"With the varsity players working with younger kids they are working on their game as well," Hettinger said. "They say you learn better once you have to teach it."
The campers were split into five groups based on their age.
Tyler Mayton who was in the oldest group said he has really improved on his shooting since coming to the camp.
"The coaching staff has really helped me a lot especially with working on my shooting," Mayton said.
Another member of the oldest group, John Sally, said he has improved on several aspects of his game.
"I have improved on rebounding, boxing out, and especially ball control since being here," Sally said.
Both players agreed their favorite part was ball handling drills with coach Walter, a former player who is helping with the camp.
With the success of this camp the coaches hope to have several more in the future.
"We want to have a day camp on Martin Luther King Jr. Day," Hettinger said. "Also, depending on Reggie's camp, we want to have this camp again and also hope to have a one week open gym where kids can come in and just shoot and play around."
