JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
Basketball players from the University of Ohio State , Marquette and Norte Dame visited Joint Base Charleston to conduct a basketball clinic, coordinated by the non-profit organization Hoops from Home and the 628th Force Support Squadron, for military children, Nov. 8, 2012, at the JB Charleston - Air Base Fitness Center.
The players were in the Charleston area to participate in the second annual Carrier Classic Nov. 9 and were able to schedule the clinic between their own team practices.
"I am honored the three schools would partner with Hoops from Home to provide an exceptional clinic for the children of JB Charleston," said Sean Franham, Founder, Hoops from Home. "There is no question the student-athletes and staffs will make this an exceptional experience for these military children.
Hoops from Home is a non-profit organization providing basketball camp/clinic experience to the children of military families ages nine to 17 across the world. It provides the children with an opportunity to work with players and coaches and highlight the benefits of team sports, physical activity and commitment. During the camp, the children receive coaching and training from college, NBA players, and coaches.
"Being a part of something like this is really amazing," said Shelbi Honeycutt, from the women's Ohio State Buckeyes basketball team. "It is nice knowing that this many kids care about watching us and learning from us and what we do."
"I was so excited to come here," said Lauren Moore, granddaughter of Vietnam veteran James Hill. "The basketball players are so tall! I thought they would have to duck through the door to come in!"
Many of the military children have grown up in one-parent homes due to deployments. Hoops from Home is designed to help these children by providing role models, a person to take the time to teach a child how to properly shoot and educate him or her on the art of team building.
"It is really nice to have something like this for us to come to, especially if someone has a parent deployed," said Joseph Chavez, son of Tech. Sgt. Lucinda Chavez from the 628th Civil Engineer Squadron. "I really enjoyed being here."
The camp began with the 6 to 7-foot tall basketball players leading the children in warm-up drills similar to those performed during college basketball practices, such as the jump-stop drill, high-knees drill and sprint drills.
Following the warm-ups, participants engaged in individual skill development stations designed to teach and enhance basketball fundamentals like shooting, rebounding, passing and dribbling.
"It was really nice participating in the Hoops from Home clinic," said Steve Taylor Jr., from Marquette University. We don't get to participate in something like this that often."