Red Bay Lady Tigers to host basketball camp

By Alison James

alison.james@fct.wpengine.com

Dribbling, shooting, passing – all that and more are on the schedule for the Red Bay Lady Tigers Basketball Camp.

The camp, which is led by Red Bay head Coach Donnie Roberts, is open to girls in third through ninth grades. It will be held June 22-26, from 8-11 a.m. for grades seven through nine and noon to 3 p.m. for grades three through six.

“It’s been a major part of our program and our success,” said Roberts.

Others who will help teach are John Torisky, Jeff Madden, Maj. Mitch Nethery and varsity athletes, like Allie Kennedy.

“I’m a people person,” said Kennedy, a rising junior at RBHS. “I love kids, and I love the game of basketball, so I love teaching kids the game of basketball.”

Kennedy herself participated in the camp when she was younger.

“I would go to (Roberts’) camp, and he would watch me play when I was younger,” Kennedy said. “He pretty much taught me all I know.”

Roberts said the camp has been a way of “getting young kids off to a good start.”

“That’s one way you build a program,” he said. “I try to put a ball in their hands as soon as they’re out of diapers.”

Other camp focuses will be teamwork and sportsmanship. All participants will receive a camp T-shirt.

Cost for the camp is $50, at least half of which should be paid up-front with the remainder due the first day of camp. Roberts said those who do not sign up for camp in advance may still decide to come and sign up the first day of camp – “we’ll work them in,” he said.

Roberts said whether or not a participant ever becomes a “basketball player,” the camp holds great value – if nothing else, to give parents a break. He is eager to share his passion with the children and teens who sign up.

“It’s been my life,” Roberts said. “The satisfaction I get out of it is hearing good things said about my team – that they play hard and they have character and class. And then the other thing I get out of it … it is so satisfying to see them succeed in life and whatever they choose to do.”