East Clarendon hosts first-ever basketball camp

Clarendon School District 3 hosted their first-ever alumni basketball game, as well as their first overnight basketball camp this past weekend. Middle School, JV, and Varsity players spent a night locked in at ECMHS learning about basketball, as well as spending time in fellowship. “I enjoyed sending time with my teammates, bonding and Bugging out with each other,” said Josh Barringer. The night included several activities to form team bonds, as well as sharpen the player's skills for the upcoming season. The coaches also presented them with a way to ensure they remembered all they had learned. “It was lit,” said teammate Jaylen Bryant. “We had so much fun and we learned a lot about basketball. Our coaches even gave us a written test.” The players also took a trip and went bowling. “My favorite part was going bowling, eating all the good food, and playing with my teammates,” said Ellis Graham. Administrators, parents, and coaching staff all came together to form this event and make it successful. Each student-athlete was given a “big brother,” someone they can talk to about basketball, as well as personal life situations. “It is similar to Mega Men programs or Men of Honor programs,” said Head Basketball Coach Seneca Barron. “All of these ‘big brothers’ have the same purpose, and that is to empower student-athletes to do the right things in life; to make better choices and to be positive leaders in our school and community.” Barron could not be more proud of his students and staff and hopes this will be their best year. The staff consists of Barron, John Butler, Kirven Whack, and Frankie Lloyd. Lloyd and Butler are graduates of East Clarendon Middle High. “Our coaching staff is always willing and ready to go above and beyond to help,” said Barron. “[Lloyd and Butler] graduated from East Clarendon and giving back to their community and school is very important to them because they walked the same halls as kids.” Barron is ready for the season, and he plans to win. However, he wants to instill in the young athletes that it is not all about winning. “It is so much more than winning games,” said Barron. “Winning games is wonderful and awesome, and everyone wants to win, but helping students and guiding them in the right direction is so much better. There is life after basketball.”