MC youth hone hoops skills

By Katrina Lockwood
Eagle Correspondent

Published: July 17, 2008

Madison County High School’s head basketball coach, Timmy Taylor, turned his focus this summer from his current basketball players to his future court stars as he hosted his first annual summer youth basketball camp. “It’s just a way to give back to the community,” said Taylor. “It helps build that Madison Pride that we’ve been talking about, and it will help the future of the basketball program at the high school.”

And with a turnout of more than 60 youths during the July 7-10 camp, Taylor had a chance to do just that.

With the campers showing up from 9 a.m.-noon at the high school, Taylor, along with fellow coach Ben Breeden — and current MCHS basketball players — helped instill aspiring 6- to 13-year-old athletes with the skills they need to become successful on the court.

“Our typical day involves different basketball drills and then one or two games afterwards,” said 11-year-old camper Logan Coates. “My favorite [drill] is trying to get through people who are passing the ball back and forth without getting hit. It’s hard!”

Others echoed good things about the camp as well. “I wanted to go to the camp because Timmy is a really good coach. He changed my jump shot so now I shoot a lot better,” said 12-year-old Bobby Ford.

Even Taylor’s 8-year-old son, Dalton, attended the camp. “I don’t get to practice with dad a lot because he’s helping the older kids, [but] I’m having a really good time.”

Student coaches seemed to be having a good time as well. “I enjoy having fun with the kids,” said 19-year-old Anthony Carter. “I love teaching these kids how to play.”

Fellow coach Jordan Aylor, a varsity player from last season, said, “It’s nice to see the kids have improved a lot since they got here. It’s rewarding to see them pick up a skill after we’ve been working on it for a while.”

Players left the camp with more than just a new skill or two. Taylor attempted to teach not only proficiency, but sportsmanship as well. “Timmy says, ‘Don’t get an attitude on the court,’” said 12-year-old Chandler Gentry. “It won’t get you far if you do.”

At the end of the day though, it came down to one thing — making the kids want to come back. Nine-year-old Nicholas Littlehales-Staton summed it up nicely. “I want to come back next year! It’s really, really fun!” he said.