Summertime is nearing, but the sounds of basketballs and squeaking sneakers could be heard last week as the high school teams held their annual DeKalb County High School Tiger/Lady Tiger Basketball Camp. The camp was held last Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, at the DeKalb Middle School gyms, because the high school gym is currently being worked on, installing new air conditioning in the building.
Ages ranged from Kindergarten to middle school as local players came out to hone their skills and get some advice from the high school players. Both Tigers and Lady Tiger players were on hand to teach future high school stars what they have learned over the years.
“This is the first time we’ve been able to have this since 2019,” said Tigers Head Coach John Sanders. “We couldn’t have it in 2020 or 2021 simply because of all the COVID-19 stuff going on. We’re finally back and we’ve had a really good turnout.”
“We have some feisty kids out there,” Sanders explained. “I believe we have 116 kids, and to know the interests is there and to get back into it is great.”
“John [Sanders] and Logan [Vance] handled all the scheduling and organization, and have done a tremendous job putting this together,” Lady Tiger Head Coach Danny Fish added. “I’m doing more of the grunt work, because I’ve got to deal with the K through two kids,” he said laughingly. “I enjoy the little kids and we’re fortunate to have two gyms here at DeKalb Middle School.”
“Our players are pitching in and helping out,” Coach Sanders said. “It’s good for them to be on that coach role.”
“They get to see how it is,” Coach Fish added. “They say, ‘These kids don’t listen sometimes,’ I respond with a grin on my face, ‘Oh really? Wait until the get 14 or older,’ he said with a grin.”
“It’s a lot of fun,” Fish continued. “It wears you out, but it’s a lot of fun. It helps not only generate interest in the program, and also lets us get to know the kids and see what’s coming down the pipeline.”
“I’ve always thought we’ve had good athletics in DeKalb,” Fish said. “That’s one of the biggest things that John and I have talked about, with me stepping away and doing one sport, we can really hammer in on these kids all year round and help develop their skills. We’ve talked about doing some things in the fall before Junior Pro starts and develop them young. That way when they get to us, they don’t have to learn as much, and just have to learn what we’re doing in the program.”
“We’re hoping to restore the roar,” Sanders added. “It starts with the little players first.”
“We’ve got some good players in both of our programs,” Coach Fish concluded. “If we can teach these young players, then every year we aren’t rebuilding, we’re reloading.”
