Ed Young’s Yougstarz camp teaches kids about values, both on and off the court.

The Youngstarz camp, a staple of Nansemond River High School boys’ basketball coach Ed Young for years, once again had a strong turnout this summer.

The camp this year had 55 athletes from five states.

“We had some good kids there and some good feedback after,” Young said. “We’ve had a lot of kids come in and work hard. I also wanted them to appreciate their parents for bringing them camp and signing them up.”

One of the messages Young tries to drive home for his campers is that, regardless of any sport the young athletes play, they should always give their best, both in their sport and in their school work.

He also wants the athletes to be thankful for what they have and not worried about what they don’t have.

Young made a point to let the young athletes know how important it is to do well in school. Judging from their combined average GPA of 3.9, the 55 kids at Youngstarz camp are doing just that.

Young had special guests, such as former Nansemond River star and ODU alumni Nick Wright, at the camp. He also had some of the players on the Warriors team work the camp and interact with campers.

“I’m glad the kids can learn valuable things,” Young said. “I also encourage them to continue to work on the things that they have learned with others.”

Awards were given out for top campers, including best one-on-one player, top scholar athlete and more.

Following are the award winners:

• Camper of the Week: Cliff Thomas, seventh grade, Suffolk Christian Academy;
• Camp Outstanding Player: Kameron Robinson, sixth grade, Creekside Elementary School;
• Top Female Camper: Amaya Allen, eighth grade, King’s Fork Middle School;
• All-Camp Team: Buddy Baker, fifth grade, Isle Wight Academy; Madie Baker, seventh grade, IWA; Sean Durham, fourth grade, Mack Benn Elementary School; Tavian Galloway, seventh grade, John Yeates Middle School; McKinlee Goodloe, eighth grade, JYMS; Christian Lawrence, sixth grade, Sweethaven Academy; Shane Rogers, fifth grade, Driver Elementary School; Qusim Waiters, third grade, MBES; Razi Waiters, sixth grade, John F. Kennedy Middle School; and Draegen Young, third grade, Oakland Elementary School;
• Top Scholar Athlete: Amaya Allen, eighth grade, King’s Fork Middle School, 4.0 GPA
• All-Scholar Team: Michael Allen, fourth grade, Hillpoint Elementary School; Rodney Edwards, third grade, Liberty Baptist School; Bauer Haden, third grade, Oakland Elementary School; Toney Herndon, third grade, Nansemond Parkway Elementary School; Forrest Ward, fourth grade, Northern Shores Elementary School; Aden Judge, sixth grade, DES; Christian Lawrence, sixth grade, Sweethaven; Kameron Robinson, sixth grade, CES; Sam Venable, sixth grade, HES; and Regan Worley, seventh grade, JYMS;
• Most Improved: Toney Herdon, third grade, NPES; and Kalei Lawson, seventh grade, SCA;
• Hustle Award: Antonio Major, fourth grade, OES; and Marselis Bevel, seventh grade, JYMS;
• Stations Award: Kennedy Ricks, fifth grade, Liberty Elementary School; and Jaylen Brown, eighth grade, JYMS;
• Top Defender: Roberto Washington, fourth grade, Communion of the Saints Elementary School; and Korun Hunter, seventh grade, JYMS;
• Top Playmaker: Sean Durham, fourth grade, MBES; and Aden Judge, sixth grade, DES;
• Top Rebounder: Devin Gaines, fifth grade, Westside Elementary School; and Marlon Washington, eighth grade, Communion of the Saints;
• Best Teammate: Jayden Harris, third grade, DES; and Regan Worley, seventh grade, JYMS;
• Coaches Award: Marquel Alston, fifth grade, Cedar Grove Elementary School; and Jason Alleyne, fifth grade, DES;
• One-On-One Champ: Sean Durham, fourth grade, MBES; and Kameron Robinson, sixth grade, CES;
• Hot Shot: Sean Durham, fourth grade, MBES; and Kameron Robinson, sixth grade, CES;
• And Top Foul Shooter: Sean Durham fourth grade, MBES; and Kameron Robinson, sixth grade, CES