Windham girls’ basketball camp helps younger players to learn game

By Matt Pascarella

Windham’s varsity girls’ basketball team held their summer basketball camp for grades 3 through 8 at Windham High during the week of July 7. This was a great opportunity for younger basketball players to learn the game from varsity players.

Windham fifth grader Fiona McLeod looks to pass during
a scrimmage as part of the Windham Varsity Girls' Summer
Basketball camp at Windham High School on Thursday,
July 10. PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA

Brody Artes, Windham’s varsity girls’ basketball coach, said there was about a 25 percent increase in the number of kids who signed up for the camp compared to last year.

“I wanted to get better, and the drills are very helpful,” said Windham seventh grader Lily Nickel. “Learning new things just helps you get better and improve; When you work hard you can achieve your goals. It’s fun working with the varsity players. They are all really kind and sweet and they’re very helpful and always there to help when you need it. I’ve learned some shooting exercises and gotten better at layups; I’ve learned some different dribbling (skills). (This camp) teaches you new things and the harder you work the more you get better.”

The goal is development of these young players and provide the opportunity for kids to come in and have some fun while teaching kids fundamentals that they can continue to build on as they grow up. The camp is also a great opportunity for those interested in basketball to get together to meet and play the game they love. The varsity team works with the really little kids during the season, but this is an opportunity to work with kids a little older.

Artes and members of his team instructed campers in basic fundamentals such as ball handling and shooting and talked about some transition techniques. They did a lot of team building and played some games where the campers had to work together with some competition. The program wants the kids to learn how to compete but also have fun and try to develop that positive culture overall.

“This week has been a lot of fun, just getting to know all the kids,” said Windham senior Chloe Delewski. “I think it’s been a great opportunity for them to develop their skills and be more comfortable on the court. They have been very respectful, they are taking (our instructions) in and absorbing it and using it to their full potential. In the games and the scrimmages, they are doing a great job.”

Delewski said she thinks this camp is important because they learn how to be on a team and not just do everything by themselves. She’s learning that it’s hard to coach. Basketball is a very fun sport and if it’s done with the will to get better, they’ll enjoy it for years and years to come. Delewski says she loves coaching the kids, they’re a great group of girls.

Windham seventh grader Brinley Sargent said she plays basketball all the time and the camp has helped her get better at finishing at the hoop and with ball handling. She said it’s fun interacting with varsity players and she likes learning the game from players who already play on the varsity team. They’ve done a lot of scrimmaging and various drills like shooting drills and ball handling drills, and it’s been a really good experience.

“It’s been great, it’s good to see a lot more interest in girls’ basketball coming up through the program,” said Artes. “Lot of kids that love to play, lot of kids that are super energetic about it. High school kids do a great job working with the kids, having fun, making the game fun. I think they’re having a lot of fun. The little kids look up to the varsity players; they see them play in the wintertime and the varsity kids love giving back to the little kids. Both sides benefit greatly. I think that helps a lot as far as a positive outcome. It’s a great opportunity for them to get to know me before high school ... that helps in the long-term.”<