LaGrange College hosts youth camp

Published 1:39 pm Friday, June 29, 2018

By KEVIN ECKLEBERRY

Daily News

Another one’s in the books.

Since he took over as LaGrange College’s men’s baskeball coach, Kendall Wallace has offered a youth camp each summer.

This year’s camp, which as always was held in Mariotti Gym on the LaGrange College campus, wrapped up on Thursday afternoon, with the players getting on the court for one final game that came down to the wire.

For Wallace, one of the great joys of the camp was not only watching the players develop their skills, but seeing the sportsmanship they displayed.

“I love seeing them help each other up off the floor, showing sportsmanship, but still being competitive throughout the week,” said Wallace, who is heading into his eighth season as the Panthers’ head coach.

Wallace added that “it’s been running real smooth. It seems like the kids have had a good time. We eliminated the three-on-three, and started doing more skill work, that type of stuff, and talking more about sportsmanship and team work, and those types of things.”

As always, some of Wallace’s players helped out as instructors during the camp.

Six LaGrange College players, including a trio of incoming freshmen, were on the court with the campers from Monday through Thursday.

“I think it helps them get a better perspective on life,” Wallace said. “You just try to give back to the kids.

“And our freshmen, it lets them come, and they’re able to meet some older kids, so they’re not shell-shocked when they get on campus.”

One of the LaGrange College players who helped out is sophomore Lincoln Anderson, a LaGrange Academy graduate.

“I like it, coming in and helping the kids,” Anderson said. “It helps me learn more about the game.”

Jasen Jonus, LaGrange College’s associate head coach, handles a lot of the camp operations, and he enjoys seeing the progress the players have made.

“It’s amazing to see where they’ve come from, to see where they are now,” Jonus said.

OF NOTE: For more photos from the camp, check out Facebook.com/LDNSports