UC Basketball Camp Year Two A Success

They say the biggest leap, or growth, an athlete has is between year one and year two. The same could be said about events that are done annually. You learn so much after year one, and inevitably, if you get to year two, you are so much more comfortable and knowledgeable about the logistics of it all.

Well it was year two for the UC basketball camp, and it certainly was a rousing success.

Well over a hundred kids ranging from elementary to middle school ages were in attendance as over a dozen former UC players and coaches ran them through drills and scrimmages, and had all kinds of fun.

The kinds of camps the coaches and college players wish they had, had, when they were younger. At least according to them.

VFL John Fulkerson, who may not be from the UC but is from a very similar background in Kingsport, was adamant about how he used to beg his parents to find every event like this. That is why he is so passionate and returned for year to, to help bolster the cause.

Our full interview with “Fulky” as he is referred to, van be found at https://ucsportsnation.com/uc-basketball-hosts-vfl/

Meanwhile, the former UC athletes, such as Will Amonett, Deandra Luna, and Caden Mills, were quick to agree and happy to discuss what this camp means to them now, and what it means to the kids.

Bella Taylor and Cole Vaughn also got in on the action, talking about how much fun they had with the littler kids group and their pure love for the game. Plus their thoughts on the not so secret coaches game at the end of camp.

Many campers though, especially in the older group, did have a favorite.

Former White County Warrior Japeth Richmond. A recent graduate, Richmond was so humbled to be doing the camp and had a blast doing so. He was quick to point out what the camp was all about and what he thought it meant for the kids in the UC, all the while trying to keep score of a three on three game.

As I said, he was a camper favorite. At least that is what many of the young men and woman expressed off the record, but only one was brave enough to jump on the mic.

Bentley had all the personality, and the energy, to take my job from me. He was very clear who his favorite coach was, though he did not want Japeth to hear him. He also could have unofficially won the camp trash talk award, as he had strong opinions on his three on three team, and himself.

Like all great things however, camp even, had to come to an end. After three days of fun and learning, no one wanted it to end. Coaches or campers. Many were already discussing next year.

As we caught up with co-organizers Cade Crosland and Ezra Pinzur, we certainly discussed this year, but made sure to talk next year already, as so many are already looking forward to it.