Cagers are prepared for any kind of opponent – even if it is the heat during the 14th annual Dan Fife Basketball Camp.
“I couldn’t ask for more from our kids,” Fife, long-time Clarkston Wolves Varsity Basketball and hall of fame coach said. “It has been by far the hottest camp since 1995. It has just been amazing how hard our kids have played and worked without complaining or getting into bad moods.”
As the heat index rose during the week, the boys determination continued to rise as they kept hydrated and kept working on their skills.
“It is nice to see because the expectation of a Clarkston kid is you work hard,” Fife added. “It leaves no doubt this next group, starting with seventh graders, is ready to fulfill all the promises we ask them. They will work hard for anything. It says a lot about the kids and their families. ”
They worked on worked one-on-one moves, passing and pivoting, ball handling and rebounding and shooting jump shots. Along the way they improved their work ethic while making mistakes and learning from them, and had a chance to play basketball with other kids.
Over 80 players going into 7-9 grades in the fall came out for the annual camp.
“This is a good environment for kids,” Fife added. “They are out being active with their role models.”
Coaches from the freshman, junior varsity, and varsity basketball teams present at the camp to help and give tips to the players.
The campers also had help as present and former Wolves stepped into the roles as coaches and referees to give some pointers they have learned also learned in the sport and use their personal experience to help the younger Wolves.
“It is a good place for kids to be in the summer ? a week of basketball,” said Fife.
Before the boys closed their week at the camp they played in scrimmages and had their final pep talk from Fife.
He reminded the boys it wasn’t what they did during the week of camp. It is what happens after they leave the gym and the choices they make in the future including making their parents proud.
A few more pointers: listen, treat others with respect, and avoid drugs and alcohol ? all have an effect on not only their lives but their game and any possibility of a career in any sport.
For the boys they will work on their skills until tryouts for the winter basketball season arrive as they vie for a spot on the Clarkston teams.