State champion Jaguars hold annual basketball camp

Published 2:38 pm Thursday, June 27, 2019

HOOVER – The 2018 high school girls basketball state champions had much to teach young players during a camp June 24-27 at Spain Park High School.

“Chasing the Perfect Shot,” named for coach Mike Chase, was attended by 28 boys and girls entering grades 1-8.

The camp, which had a registration fee of $100, lasted from 9 a.m. to noon each day.

The days were split into three sessions: stretching first, station drills including ball handling and rebounding, and competitive games at the end of the day.

Campers were asked to bring drinks and a sack lunch, and received a camp T-shirt.

Three of Spain Park’s boys basketball players helped with the camp this year along with three players off the state champion girls team.

Chase has held the camp nine out of the 10 summers he has been at SPHS, and the camp dates back even further.

When Chase held camps at his previous position at Clay-Chalkville, the “Chasing the Perfect Shot” name originated because his teams stressed shooting.

“Back then, we were shooting a lot of 3’s and no one else was,” he said. “It just kind of stuck.”

Camp attendees included many younger, less experienced players, Chase said and added that his hope is to help increase interest in the sport.

“We just want them to be excited about basketball,” he said.