CULLMAN – Fall sports have taken center stage with the start of fall practice this week. But another sport, that officially plays in the wintertime, is getting plenty of attention this week.
The Cullman Lil' Bearcat Hoops Camp began Monday morning at Cullman High School. When the doors opened for the camp to begin, director Josh Hembree, the new Cullman girls’ basketball coach, was pleased to see 70 youngsters from the first through the sixth grades come for three days of learning the game that is so dear to his heart.
"We had 20 to sign up last Thursday," said Hembree's wife Amber, who is assisting him in the three-day event. "We were very pleased to have 70 to come here for this."
The numbers are balanced with 34 young ladies and 36 boys getting a series of drills under Hembree's command along with members of the Cullman Lady Bearcats basketball program.
The camp is set with stations in which the participants are learning the basics of dribbling, passing, rebounding, defense and shooting. Each station was set up for 10 to 12 minutes then the groups would rotate from one location to the next in line.
This is good for Hembree's team to teach the youngsters the fundamentals that they have been going through since he became the Cullman coach in May.
"It's an opportunity for our players to carry it over from what they have learned and to teach it," Hembree said.
How did the fundamental camp come about? Hembree said when he was hired by then-Principal Dr. Elton Bouldin in the spring, he was told he could conduct as many individual camps as he wanted.
Considering a majority of youth are involved in other sports such as baseball, softball and football, Hembree took a chance to put this basketball camp in operation for the start of August, for four hours per day, and the results have been productive with 70 people coming from the city and different locations across the county.
Hanceville girls’ basketball coach Christina Watson brought her nephew to the camp after he expressed major interest in the game. There was also the son of West Point girls’ coach John Welborn in attendance, wearing a Steph Curry Golden State Warriors jersey.
The camp has a variety of contests from free throw shooting to hot shot, plus drills in three-on-three and five-on-five competitions.
A couple of former Cullman Bearcats came to speak to the youngsters to give them good advice about the game and the game of life as well.
Bailee Johnson, entering her sophomore season at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, was on hand Monday, with Seth Swalve to address the participants on Tuesday. Swalve just finished his Cullman High career and is now waiting to get started at UAH.
Former Bearcat Lawson Schaffer was not able to attend due to his commitment summer work with the University of Alabama basketball team. Schaffer will be in his sophomore season for the Crimson Tide when they start fall practice in October.
Hembree said awards to be presented per day would be a girl and boy "camper of the day," for displaying good sportsmanship, attitude and effort.
Hembree, reflecting, said some of his most enjoyable times were when he was attending individual camps while he was working his way through Vinemont High School. Individual camps still happen, but not as often as years ago, with more emphasis now on team camps once players reach the seventh grade and onward.
But having the chance to provide tips on the game to kids in the first through sixth grade is something Hembree will treasure for a very long time.
The camp comes to a close at midday Wednesday.
