Itty Bitty players pursue big basketball dreams

A group of early elementary students are pursuing some big dreams by taking part in the Itty Bitty basketball camp at Eisenhower High School.

Kevin Donahue, a teacher at Eisenhower High School, said the sports camp
offers a one of a kind opportunity for students kindergarten through third grade
to get a strong foundation in the game.

"The students get the opportunity to work with our coaches and players in
developing important skills," he said. "The staff that is here does a great job
with the kids."

Donahue said the "Itty Bitty Basketball" camp focuses on "all motor skills,"
such as hand-eye coordination and agility. A typical day has students broken
into groups of eight to work with two coaches on defensive skills, dribbling,
shooting, and basic rules of the game.

And while the camp has helped him in all of those areas, there is another
reason why third-grader Michael Wood is in the camp for the second straight
year.

"I really like the coaches," the Roberts Elementary student said. "Basically,
I'm here because this is fun."

The Itty Bitty Basketball camp has been offered through UCS Community
Education for more than 10 years. Donahue said in addition to polishing
basketball skills, the camp participants are developing skills that will improve
subjects that require eye-hand coordination, such as writing and art.

And it gets the students active - something Donahue hopes will continue long
after the three day camp.

"This program gets them off the couch and away from the Wii," he said.

The Itty Bitty Basketball camp is one of nearly 50 sports camps being offered
through Community Education this summer. For more information on Sports Camps, please visit this link.