SPORTS

BASKETBALL
Elk basketball camp a success

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Elk Rapids hosted its annual basketball camp with seven high school teams participating. Courtesy photo
The Elk Rapids Athletic Complex was home to seven high school basketball teams from Michigan and Kentucky earlier this summer as the host of the KCare Basketball Team Camp. 

The camp had five participating high school teams from Michigan that included Division 3 Elk Rapids and the Glen Lake Lakers along with a trio of Division 1 teams in the Petoskey Northmen, the Kalamazoo Central Maroon Giants and the Wayne Memorial Zebras. The Michigan squads were joined by two squads from Louisville, Kentucky in the Waggener High School Wildcats and the Western High School Warriors. Last season Kalamazoo lost in the regional finals and Wayne bowed out in the state quarterfinals.
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The out-of-town teams stayed at the A-Ga-Ming Golf Resort for the duration of the three-day camp that ran from Monday through Wednesday. The teams began each day with skill sessions and drills, leading to playing a series of games against each other. There was also a “Two Minute Overtime Tournament” along with a final day tournament. 

“This is our second year of camp, but it is not a fundraiser, it is a learning camp that also provides a chance to interact and play with kids from different areas and also get some coaching from different coaches,” said Elk varsity boys basketball head coach Kevin Ball. “We had a great turnout with some elite competition that started each day with skill sessions. The high caliber of the teams was very impressive. The players were able to hear some great stories from coaches along great guest speakers that sparked some good conversations.” 

The camp featured two speakers, led by Shawn Respert, a Michigan State standout player and the Spartans all-time leading scorer with 2531 points, and was the eighth player taken in the first round of the 1995 NBA draft. Respert shared his inspiring message about leadership, perseverance and teamwork. The second speaker was sports psychologist Noel Mann, providing valuable insights on confidence, mental performance and personal growth.

The camp featured outstanding basketball with quality competition that certainly helped each player to improve on the court, but the real purpose of the camp goes far beyond just playing the game of basketball. 

“The camp is designed to break down barriers between young people from different backgrounds, races and geographic regions while building meaningful relationships through the shared experience of sports,” said Elk Rapids Athletic Director Brett Graham. 

The athletes competed with their own teams and had opportunities to play alongside players from other schools that aided in creating new friendships and connections. Between games, the players shared meals, played board games, participated in lawn games, and spent time getting to know one another off the court. The rainy weather canceled a few planned boating and beach activities, but the players attending the camp still had an amazing experience together.

“The camp allowed players to meet and get to know kids from other areas and with different backgrounds. It was an incredible experience,” continued Graham. “The relationships formed, the lessons learned, and the memories that were created this week are exactly what the camp is all about. We are incredibly grateful to the participating schools for traveling to Elk Rapids and helped make this camp such a success.”
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The players attending the KCare Basketball Team Camp share a meal. Courtesy photo

VARSITY DANCE SQUAD
Open practices

The Elk Rapids Dance Squad will be holding two open practice sessions for anyone interested in seeing what being on Dance Squad is all about! The practices will take place on Monday, July 20 and Monday, July 27 at the high school cafeteria, beginning at 5:30 p.m. and lasting until 7:30 p.m. All 9th through 12th grade girls are welcome to attend. Bring a water bottle and a snack.

“We have never done this before. We want to encourage any new members interested in Dance Squad to attend. This will give those that are interested a taste of what our practices and the tryouts are all about,” said Co-Head Coach Cassidy Mogford.

The two open practice sessions will be run by Coach Mogford and Co-Head Coach Adrian Draper, along with members of the current Dance Squad. “When we have tryouts later in the year, we look for girls with good grades and positive attitudes, girls who want to be here. Not all girls need dance experience to be on the team,” explained Coach Mogford. 
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Anyone needing more information can contact Coach Cassidy Mogford at 231-357-6930.

Notes from the 10th Hole

The morning of July 8 was another wonderful day to play golf and members of the Elk Rapids Ladies Golf League took advantage and carded some nice scores. Congratulations to the following ladies.
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Play of the day this week had us add putts to our net score. Division winners were Laurie Derusha with a 47 in Division 1, Donna Reffitt and Dawn Steele with a 48 in Division 2, Jamie Mee and Cheryl Bachman with a 49 in Division 3, and Jean Schultz with a 50 in Division 4.

Congratulation to low gross players by division: Laurie Wimmer and Kathy Moody-Breece (45) in Division 1, Donna Reffitt (48) in Division 2, Jamie Mee (53) in Division 3, and Jean Schultz (53) in Division 4.

Low net honors for the week are awarded to: Laurie Wimmer, Laurie Derusha and Barbara Matthews (34) in Division 1, Donna Reffitt, Jeanette Christy and Dawn Steele (33) in Division 2, Jamie Mee (31) in Division 3, and Jean Schultz (35) in Division 4.  

Lowest putts on the day were carded by: Laurie Derusha (13) Division 1, Ellen Baird (14) Division 2, Ginny Dorner (14) Division 3, and Cheryl Knight and Jean Schultz (15) Division 4.

Char Hansen had the lone birdie on the day, and chip-ins were recorded by Cheryl Bachman, Barbara Matthews, Betsy Morath and Nancy Muhlig. Congratulations to all!