New players flock to camp at Greenbrier

Jennifer McMahan was new to basketball when she attended Greenbrier High's camp last year.

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After that camp, which was put on by Wolfpack girls coach Dana Bull, McMahan didn't want to put the ball down.

The soon-to-be Riverside Middle seventh-grader was back this year.

"Her mom said ever since she came to the camp last year, all she's wanted to do is basketball," Bull said. "She's now a seventh-grader who can try out for the middle school team. She lives, eats and breathes basketball now."

Seventeen female middle schoolers attended the camp, along with seven boys. New Wolfpack boys coach Casey Heckathorn helped with the direction, as did several Wolfpack boys and girls varsity players.

Some were new to the game, as McMahan was last year. Others were skilled players who compete on a team all year.

The goal for the camp's instructors was the same: to develop a relationship with the county's young players and to raise money for the varsity programs.

"It's been fun," said Heckathorn, who is preparing for his first season as Wolfpack coach.

"I've got to give all the credit to Dana. She does a great job."

The camp was held July 27-31 at Greenbrier Middle's gym. The coaches were hoping the camp would be an opportunity to show off the new gym floor at the high school. The new floor was in place, but it was awaiting the installation of new bleachers and for the heights on the rims to be adjusted.

"We're just thanking our lucky stars we got it," Heckathorn said.

Bull said the old floor was only a small barrier to the concrete beneath it, and it was hard on players' knees and when they fell.

The new floor was built with extra padding and has more give. In addition to the new floor and bleachers, the facility also will get a new scorers' table, and the teams will have new uniforms.

"We'll be ready to go -- brand-new everything," Bull said. "It's a fresh new feel for the program."

The camp's participants rotated through various drills devoted to ball-handling, shooting, passing and defense. Teams played 3-on-3 and eventually 5-on-5 scrimmages. One team of three varsity players made a game of keeping the basketball from their young opponents. The older players shouted encouragement and tips to the campers during the scrimmages.

At the end, each camper received a Greenbrier basketball T-shirt. Some who competed attend Greenbrier High's feeder schools, but the participants came from all over the county.

Bull said the objective was to foster interest in the sport and develop relationships for later years. She said many of the participants show up to watch the Wolfpack varsity team play.