A&M-Commerce summer sports camps teach students skills

While A&M-Commerce basketball does not start until late fall, the Field House is currently filled with players learning about the game one day at a time. Lions athletics kicked off its series of summer camps with the boys basketball Day Camp, June 7-10. The Elite Camp will start June 10 and run through June 12.

According to the camp's brochure, the Day Camp is for boys ages 6-8 and runs from 9 a.m. to noon every day. It is structured to teach attendees the basic skills of basketball, while providing an enjoyable atmosphere.

The Elite Camp is for players entering 8th-12th grade, and includes an overnight stay at Whitley Hall. The brochure describes the camp as a, "High intensity camp designed for high school varsity players to get a taste of playing at the collegiate level." It also focuses on individual skills.

"It is on a higher level, a little more competitive and more demanding," A&M-Commerce men's head coach Sam Walker said about Elite Camp.

Walker said all Lions basketball players and coaches, plus a few former players, are instructing in the camp. He said it provides Lions players and camp participants a unique opportunity.

"It gives people in the community a chance to meet our players and for them to show they're more than just players," he said. "It sure is a great opportunity for us to take advantage of the ability to help kids in the community and surrounding area."

The volleyball and football programs will both begin camps on June 11. Football will run to June 12, and Volleyball to June 18. Women's basketball will then begin their camp. More information on times and dates for other sports camps can be found online at lionathletics.com. It is located under the "Features" section at the right of the home page.