CHRISTOVAL, Texas — Christoval High School is hosting its annual boys basketball camp this week.
Head coach Bryan Blackwell is glad the camp is up and running since it was canceled last year because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Today marked the first day and Blackwell said there were roughly 50 children in attendance for the morning session and about 20 in the afternoon.
“We just like to push fundamentals at this early age and to get that base set with these kids," Blackwell said. "We like to push fun because once they get into high school, we’re going to be a bit tougher on them than we are at a basketball camp. We need them to be fundamental, we need them to learn how to have fun and basically promote the game.”
The age group for both sessions combined ranges from incoming first through ninth graders. Blackwell said he’s focused on getting the students to interact with each other and improve their basketball IQ.
“Early on we did a lot of station work and a lot of fundamentals," Blackwell said. "That’s not as much the fun stuff, but the necessary stuff. These are things they can do at home on their own for ways they can get better moving forward.”
Blackwell said this camp gives him the opportunity to get to know the younger students as they continue to build their game. As for the incoming ninth graders, this will be an introduction of getting evaluated for the upcoming season.
“I love it, it’s my passion and it’s what I love to do," Blackwell said. "I get three days to come out here and work with these guys and get to know the younger kids because I don’t see them much during school. Most of my focus is with the varsity group, the JV and junior high levels as well.”
The camp ends Wednesday afternoon.