SILOAM SPRINGS — With summer vacation in full swing, a few area basketball coaches are using the extra time to get in a little off-season practice. But practice alone cannot help get the teams ready for regular season in October. The solution? A basketball camp like no other.
John Brown University hosted a team camp June 3-4 in the Murray Sells Gymnasium complex and Bill George Arena in Siloam Springs. Sixteen junior- and senior-high teams from Arkansas and Oklahoma participated in the two-day event.
Decatur, Gentry, Siloam Springs and West Fork were among a few of the area schools which brought their junior- and senior-varsity and junior-high teams to this camp.
The camp affords coaches the opportunity to try new game plans and work out problems that may have plagued them during last year's regular season.
During the camp, coaches are less concerned about winning games and more concerned about giving their younger players more time to play in a game setting.
"This allows our kids to experience teams that we don't normally play," said John Unger, Decatur basketball coach. "It also allows the younger players to play in real-world situations that they would not get in practice."
For players like Ryan Ross, Jimmy Mendoza and Levi Newman, the camp gave them opportunity to work on their shooting skills. Making corrections during the game will better prepare them for the move to the senior-high ranks next season.
Taylor Haisman, Leng Lee and Bracy Owens took this time to work on their three-point shots. In several games, Unger allowed his three strongest outside shooters to set up and execute shots from different points behind the three-point line. As the day progressed, the trio was hitting more three pointers and adding points to the score board.
For area coaches, the John Brown University team camp experience was an opportunity to experiment with new playing styles while correcting problems with the existing program. For the players, the camp allowed each to hone his skills and gain valuable playing time that might not otherwise be available prior to the regular season.
Sports on 06/08/2016