Lakeside basketball camp teaches young players fundamentals

In August around Lakeside the sounds of splashing water are synonymous with summer, and far more common than the sounds of basketballs on a hardwood floor, but that wasn’t the case earlier this month as young players from around the Flathead Valley attended the first boys and girls Lakeside Basketball Camp.

Roughly eight fifth and sixth graders attended the camp held on Aug. 8 and 9, and about 20 seventh and eighth grade students participated in the camp held for their particular age group on Aug. 11 and 12. 

Camp Director Randy Rogney was enthusiastic and pleased with the turnout.

“For our first year it’s a good start, and we’ll keep building,” Rogney said. “The idea of the camp is to teach fundamentals so the kids have a strong base. We need to instill good habits so the kids can improve.”

Footwork, shooting technique, dribbling and defensive stances were among the variety of skills emphasized to the participants. Perhaps best of all the players learned personal drills they could take home to practice.

While Rogney coached the camp, he wasn’t without plenty of help which came in the form of peer mentors. Older kids from around the valley helped the younger athletes by running drills, giving pointers and demonstrating technique.

“It’s a chance for us to make the younger kids better so they don’t create bad habits later,” said Bodie Schieffer, a sophomore at Flathead High School who served as a mentor at the camp.

Kaden Schlegel, who is a freshman at Flathead also enjoyed his time working as a mentor.

“This is my first time coaching and it’s been a fun experience,” Schlegel said. “The younger kids look up to us and follow in our footsteps, so it’s important that we help them improve.”

Participants were eager for the chance to get some extra coaching and improve their game with a technique oriented camp all while having fun, which was a motivator for the players as they tackled learning new skills.

“I learned some tricks to avoid traveling, and some skills to improve my form and speed,” said Carson Eddie an eighth grader from Cayuse Prairie. “I’ll be better off!”

Many of the players said they noticed a difference in their game in just the few short days that the camp was held.

“I’ve learned some ball-handling skills, shooting moves and there are only three girls in the camp this year so it makes us stronger and challenges us to play against the boys,” said Kelsey Gillespie, a seventh grader.

The camp be offered again next year. In fact, organizers hope to make it an ongoing annual event to give kids around Lakeside and Somers an offseason basketball opportunity.

“Our camp gives kids an option in the summer to improve their skills,” Rogney said. “With the help of the older kids it’s been a very positive week and I anticipate even greater participation next year.”