JT Keith 

Artesia Daily Press

jtkeith@elrtiomedia.com

Artesia girls’ basketball coach Candace Pollard held her second Summer Basketball Camp at The Bulldog Pit from June 25-27.

Girls played basketball on both courts at The Bulldog Pit Wednesday through Friday. Kindergarteners through fifth-graders and sixth- through ninth-graders showed up to the camp and worked on their basketball skills.

The 105 campers in attendance broke last year’s record of 80.

The camp had two sessions, with the kindergarteners to fifth-graders from 10 a.m. to noon and the sixth- to ninth-graders from 1-3 p.m.

Pollard said that breaking the camp into two sessions allowed her to give each kid undivided attention.

“Fundamentals are at the core of everything we do,” Pollard said. “At this age group, we must keep it enjoyable for them. If they have a ball in their hand, that is what we want.”

Pollard said that many of the kids started coming to the camp in kindergarten and continued up to the ninth grade, and she can see improvements in their game as they grow taller.

“It is crazy because when they start,” Pollard said, “they are shooting on the small basketball goals. And as they get older, they can shoot on the big baskets. It is a big deal when a kid can make it in the big basket.”

Pollard said she came to this camp when she was a kid and looked forward to attending every year.

“I’m trying to emulate what I learned as a kid at this camp,” Pollard said. “I am trying to get kids excited about basketball; this was my favorite time of the year, coming to camp.”

Pollard said her main goal is to instill a love for basketball in the kids she is coaching, she wants them to get better – and she is passing along her knowledge to them.