After three days of drills, scrimmages and skill development, the Buchanan County YMCA’s annual Youth Basketball Camp came to a close last Friday, leaving dozens of young athletes better prepared for the upcoming basketball season.
The three-day camp welcomed boys and girls entering second through eighth grade and focused on developing the fundamentals of the game while encouraging teamwork, sportsmanship and confidence. Led by Southern Gap High School varsity boys basketball coach Jory Rife, campers spent each day working on ball handling, passing, shooting, defensive pressure, layup mechanics, agility and game situations before putting those skills to use in competitions and scrimmages. Each morning also began with a devotional.
Rife said another successful year of camp was made possible by the enthusiasm of the campers and the coaches and players who volunteered their time.
“We had another excellent year of the Buchanan County YMCA camp,” Rife said. “I’m also so honored to be the host. The kids this year were great; I’m always so impressed with how fun, thoughtful and well-behaved the kids who attend camp are. This year we focused on fundamentals above everything else: ball handling, passing, proper layup mechanics and having fun. I couldn’t make this camp possible without good help, so I’m very thankful to my assistant coaches Greg McClanahan and Mark England and some of our players: Ethan McClanahan, Logan Fuller, Kyle Hunt, Jaxon Hardin, Brennon Yates, Brayden White, Carter Deel, Jansen Davis, Ethan Deel, Gavin Hartford and Evan Looney.”
In addition to basketball instruction, campers received a camp T-shirt, a pool pass and a snow cone pass. Daily awards were presented throughout the camp to recognize effort, attitude and sportsmanship.
The camp’s highest honor, Camper of the Week, was presented to Liam Smith during Friday’s closing ceremony. The award included a complimentary one-year membership at the Buchanan County YMCA.
Camp participants included Myiah Belachew, Lana Bennett, Kenzie Blankenship, Kylie Blankenship, Collin Bostwick, Cash Clevinger, Kinsley Clevinger, Eli Cochran, Fortune Cox, Alexander Dailey, Byron Dailey, Bryson Davis, Elijah Deel, Kylee Estep, Abby Jude, Isabella Lockhart, Lillian Lowry, Gabriella Perry, Margot Robertson, Jonah Shelton, Mary Shelton, Liam Smith, Tristian Stiltner, Kiley Street and Ada Viers.
Lauren Deskins, the YMCA program director, stated that the basketball camp was among the organization’s biggest and most successful events this summer.
“This is one of our most well-attended camp years,” Deskins said. “We have offered Volleyball Camp coached by Hannah Scott, Cheer Camp coached by Thomas Ray, Football Camp coached by Southern Gap Eagle Football Staff, Soccer Camp coached by Ashley Shortt, Basketball Camp, and in August we will be having a Dance Camp as well as a MAD Camp (music, art and drama). Our Football Camp was a huge success; we got a donation from West River Conveyors for 50 members to join for free.”
The YMCA’s football camp, led by members of the inaugural Southern Gap Eagles football coaching staff, also drew a strong turnout this summer. Young athletes had the opportunity to develop football fundamentals while preparing for the upcoming season. Thanks to a donation from West River Conveyors, 50 participants received complimentary YMCA memberships, helping encourage continued participation in youth sports and healthy activities throughout the year.
CAPTIONS:
CAPTION 1: Campers, coaches and volunteers gather for a group photo following the conclusion of the Buchanan County YMCA Youth Basketball Camp on Friday. The three-day camp, led by Southern Gap High School boys basketball coach Jory Rife, focused on developing basketball fundamentals, teamwork and sportsmanship.
CAPTION 2: Liam Smith smiles after being named Camper of the Week during the closing ceremony of the Buchanan County YMCA Youth Basketball Camp on Friday. Smith received a complimentary one-year YMCA membership in recognition of his outstanding effort, attitude and sportsmanship throughout the camp.
CAPTION 3: Miyah Belachew poses during last week’s Buchanan County YMCA Youth Basketball Camp. Belachew was recognized as Camper of the Day for July 29 during the three-day event.
CAPTION 4: Two young campers compete in a game of knockout during the Buchanan County YMCA’s annual Youth Basketball Camp. The three-day camp, led by Southern Gap High School boys basketball coach Jory Rife, focused on developing basketball fundamentals while promoting teamwork, sportsmanship and confidence among boys and girls entering second through eighth grade.
CAPTION 5: Campers and coaches gather for a group photo during the Buchanan County YMCA Youth Football Camp. Led by members of the inaugural Southern Gap Eagles football coaching staff, the camp gave young athletes the opportunity to develop football fundamentals while building teamwork and sportsmanship.
