The future of basketball in Hot Springs appears to be in good hands.

Last week a group of coaches led by Maria Begger, a volleyball and basketball coach, conducted the first Hot Springs Basketball Camp for kids in grades K-8 and by all evidence it was a solid debut of what the organizers hope will become an annual camp. 

A total of 36 kids from throughout the Hot Springs, Plains and Thompson Falls areas attended the camp, which was split into three age groups: K-2, grades 3-5 and grades 6-8.  The biggest group was the grades 3-5 bunch, which enrolled 19 future hoopers. 

“I wanted to provide an opportunity for the youth of Hot Springs to get introduced to and improve their basketball skills,” Begger said. “I also wanted it to be a local, fun experience at an affordable price.  The biggest goal was for them to have fun.”

Camp kids paid $30 for two hours of basketball drills and games each of the two days the camp was held. 

Campers participated in agility drills, basketball techniques for dribbling, passing and shooting, and learned the ins and outs of defense and offense. 

“Learning new skills and improving technique and form was a big part of the plan, but at the end of the day, we wanted them to have fun,” she said. Such coaching can also go a long way in helping Hot Springs, a traditionally strong high school basketball program, grow as well. 

“Hot Springs has some talented young athletes, and it was fun to get to harness their talent and skills to help them improve and grow their game over the two days of the camp,” Begger added. 

Other coaches who joined in the effort included assistant football and head track coach Andrew Lightnam, Athletic Director and assistant high school boys' basketball coach Brady Ovitt, and two coaches from Thompson Falls.  A few current high school players, such as sophomore to be Ben Aldridge, were also part of the instructors on hand. 

“This is fun for me to be part of,” said Aldridge, who is one of a group of talented young players expected to help the Savage Heat team be in the thick of the local high school basketball competitions.  

“It is good to work with the kids.”

The enthusiasm was evident in Begger’s assessment of the camp. 

“I love getting to see the progress the kids make and getting to see their excitement for the game grow as well,” she said. “It is a blast and a privilege getting to share my passion for the game and watch it grow in the younger kids.  The future of Hot Springs basketball is bright."

    Camp instructor and Hot Springs AD Brady Ovitt helps a K-2 player get his scrimmage jersey on during last week's Hot Springs Basketball Camp. (Chuck Bandel/VP-MI)
  

    Hot Springs Basketball Camp director Maria Begger conducts a drill during last week's K-8 basketball camp in Hot Springs. (Chuck Bandel/VP-MI)