Kristina Sumfleth | Democrat Gabby Cohen dribbles toward the basket as Chloe Barber tries to chase her down.

Hot on basketball

Story by Kristina Sumfleth
LAKE HUNTINGTON — July 19, 2013 — The Town of Callicoon Summer Basketball Camp comes to an end today after two weeks of dribbling, passing and shooting in the Sullivan West High School Gym. The program began on July 8th under the instruction of Patrick Donovan and Kurt Scheibe who helped the campers improve their fundamental basketball skills and technique.
“We’re here to improve their skills, boost interest in basketball and just let them have some fun,” said Donovan, the Sullivan West girls’ varsity basketball coach.
The head instructors were assisted by two members of the Sullivan West basketball team, Carly Grishaber and Elaine Durkin, who participated in the different exercises and games with the kids, adding a more challenging level for the campers to strive for. “Seeing them improve day by day is rewarding because you know you are helping them,” said Carly Grishaber. “It is fun to play with them every day.”
During the two week program, 14 girls and 21 boys from 4th to eighth grade spent three hours per day participating in ball handling, shooting and passing drills, two-on-two games as well as full-court five-on-five games. The campers’ endurance and stamina was also tested as temperatures in the 90s during the second week stifled the high school gymnasium.
While waiting to start their second to last day of the camp, Brett Dirie shot some hoops with Nick Dworetsky who has participated in the program for the last few years. “I like the camp, it’s pretty cool,” said Dirie, who obviously wasn’t referring to the temperature. “I think it is a good experience because it teaches me things I didn’t know and the coaches are cool. I have a lot of friends here.”
The basketball camp is usually held at the Sullivan West elementary school in Jeffersonville but was moved to the high school in Lake Huntington this year because of the roof repair at the Jeffersonville campus. The Town of Callicoon Recreation Board is currently looking to expand the program for next year, when it is expected to return to the elementary school.