By GEORGE MAHL

Sports Editor

DESTREHAN – It only happens twice year, but Destrehan Head Basketball Coach Joe Schick enjoys every minute of it. Destrehan High School recently held its boys and girls basketball camp at the High School gym. Approximately 30 kids attended the camp each day, which was held Monday-Friday.

“We do these camps for one week in the Summer and one week before the Thanksgiving holidays,” said Schick.

One of the things Schick enjoys about doing these camps is that kids remember the players that help him out at the camp. This year’s camp featured players Jai Eugene and Dennis Elsworth helping with Schick.

Both Eugene and Elsworth played for Schick during the 2003-2004 season. Eugene is also one of the top football players for the Fighting Wildcats.

“The young kids really like being around the players. They don’t forget them. Some of them will come to see a game and watch them play,” he said.

“From me, it’s a little more work because you are working with kids coming up. I get to meet them and get to known them.”

The camp teaches youngsters about the fundamentals and technique of basketball. Dribbling, shooting, passing and ball handling are emphasized more than anything.

“I try to work with them dribbling with one hand and working on their footwork. We try to make it as fun as possible for the kids,” said Schick, who has been coaching at Destrehan for five year’s.

Different contests for the kids also occur at these camps. Schick said they have a hot shot contest and a free throw contest for each kid.

“We will also do what is called bump. That’s when players line up single file and try to eliminate the person in front of them by making a shot before they do,” he said.

The three hour a day camp is split into two sessions. The first hour-and-a-half is devoted to skills, while the second hour-and-a-half is devoted to playing an actual game.

“The kids get a chance to beat the coaches in a game at the end,” he said.

The number of kids attending the camp, which mainly come from St. Charles Parish, is usually around 60 or 70, Schick estimates. But Schick said part of the reason for the low turnout is probably because they had it a week early than they usually do and most kids are still in summer camps.

“We also had to do it because they will be painting the gym next week.”

The second camp is likely to be held the week of November 20.