Girls basketball camp a success

With the June basketball season here for the Tipp high school basketball teams, both the boys and girls programs held their annual youth camps last week. The future basketball players from the community spent a few days learning about the sport of basketball. Nearly 30 girls in grades 1-5 took part in the girls basketball camp. Despite getting the job late, new coach Brett Kopp was pleased with how the kids worked getting to know the game. “It was pretty good even though I was hired late in the spring and I was unable to get the flyers out to the schools,” Kopp said as about 25 kids took part in camp. “Even with the quick turnaround, it wasn’t bad. I would like to get up to about 40 next year when I have time to get the word out.” “They are working hard and having fun. It is all about having them fall in love with the game of basketball more than anything. They are learning the fundamentals. What I like the most about youth camp in general is the young kids get to see the girls they are going to get to see in the winter. We had a great turnout with the high school kids, and they are here interacting and having fun.”

Kopp feels the kids who attended can take what they learned and use it to improve their game when they are on their own. “When it’s raining, it’s ok to dribble in the kitchen,” Kopp said, joking that they can blame him for dribbling in the kitchen. “It’s about the desire to learn to dribble left-handed, and if they can improve just a little bit by this time next year, that’s 1% better. They have to learn they have to work on their game and not just show up in November and be good at it.” “We talk about the eyes and the finish on their shot and getting balanced,” he added. “I am big on keeping your finish up, it improves your shooting percentage and anyone who does that ends up shooting better. We also worked on dribbling with their eyes up.”

With the older players working the camp, Kopp feels it is important for them to work on their leadership skills. “I put a lot on them, but (the benefit is) they are getting to know me, and we are spending two hours a day in the gym with me being a new coach, I think that it is huge. I divide them into stations and they are learning how to deal with kids and how to teach and communicate with young people.” The high school players will continue to spend June preparing for the upcoming season. They will head to Northmont for a Shootout at the end of the month. “They compete,” he said. “We have played in the Troy summer league, and they have competed with six kids. Everything is new. We have seen the box-and-one twice in four summer league games and I haven’t put anything in yet.” “We aren’t worried about that, they are competing on the defensive end, and if they get a little lazy, I have pushed them.”