By Josh Beavers
Squeaking sneakers and the thud of basketballs on the hardcourt sounded in the Minden High gym last week during the inaugural MHS basketball camp.
Minden native Rennie Bailey, who is entering his sixth year at the helm of the Minden boys team, oversaw the camp which was open to third through eighth graders.
Participants worked on specific drills to help the players develop skills as they grow as athletes. “I can’t make you a better player in just a three-day camp,” Coach Bailey told The Journal. “But what I can do is give the participants drills they can work on after camp to help their shooting, dribbling, and other aspects of becoming a good basketball player.”
While there was focus on the physical aspects of basketball, Bailey said the camp centered more around the mental portion of the game.
“Overall, camp is more about life experiences and what that has to do with basketball,” he said.
Bailey said valuable lessons learned from basketball that are translatable to life at large include working with others, overcoming obstacles, being an active listener, and respectful in everyday life.
“I am a huge proponent of listening,” Bailey said. “If you are not listening you will not perform the right way. It’s the same as being at home or in life. You will not get it right if you are not listening. We use those comparisons to teach more than basketball.”
Bailey said the camp will be held annually as it is a valuable tool to help young people with their lives but also is a way to introduce them to the game and what will hopefully become their high school home.
“We have to cultivate interest when kids are young,” he said. “We want them to enjoy the game and continue to play, move on to rec. leagues and move on up the ladder.”
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