By Matthew Hatfield

Correspondent

 

Looking to keep the kids busy this summer? Basketball camp is one way to do so.

Nansemond River High School boys basketball coach Ed Young will conduct his 12th annual Youngstarz Camp July 5-8.

The camp, which is among the longest running in the area, will run each day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for rising third- through eighth-grade boys and girls. Organizers plan to accept kids until the first day of camp but will limit it to 60-65 participants.

“We spend a lot of time on drill sessions and basketball instruction,” Young said. “We do a break-down of not only full-court games, but how to play full-court basketball in terms of offense and defense, five-on-five.”

“It’s catered to a beginner to an intermediate type of player. We actually have our players running the skill stations, because I feel they identify with the kids better than bringing in a bunch of older coaches. We also do a classroom session with an emphasis on how to be a better student and better person.”

In addition, campers will get an opportunity to play 1-on-1 and 3-on-3 games and to participate in hot-shot and free-throw competitions.

Young’s assistants will be in and out throughout the week, along with a handful of current and past players, which has included in recent years the likes of former standouts such as Dontrell Brite (Mount Olive), Shannon Evans (Arizona State), Nick Wright (Old Dominion), Andre Jones (Winthrop), Devon Oakley (Hampton) and others.

“What’s been funny is — take a kid like Ashton Moore, who came to our camp as a youngster, ended up playing in our program, got a Division I scholarship to The Citadel, and now he’s playing professional basketball,” Young said.

“I’ve had an opportunity to see him from fifth-, sixth-grade status. Now we see his younger brother, Christian, who has been in the camp since about second grade and will be a rising ninth-grader. Technically, he’s too old for the camp now, but I know he will hang around. He played junior varsity for us last year and is playing with our varsity team in the summer league.

“I’m not saying if you come to our camp you’ll become a professional or get a Division I scholarship, but it has been neat to see some of the youngsters come through over the years.”

Through the years, the camp’s reputation has grown, attracting those nearby and even some from outside the area.

“We’ve had kids come from Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Maryland, New York, Ohio,” Young said. “Not that they came just for the camp, because they are probably here with relatives. The bottom line is those kids could’ve pretty much gone to any camp between Ohio and here, or North Carolina and here. A lot of them are returning.”

Proceeds go towards trophies and shirts for the campers, as well as fundraising for the Warriors’ basketball program.

“I don’t pay myself,” Young said. “I just want the kids to have fun with basketball. And I want them to get their money’s worth.”

The cost to register is $130, cash or money order only. To register, email edwardyoung@spsk12.net or call 675-6622.