After observing just a minute or two, it was easy to tell Tuesday’s SSISD Boys Basketball Camp in the main gym at Sulphur Springs High School was run by Wildcats Basketball Coach Clark Cipoletta. In a one-on-one drill among fifth graders, boys playing defense did so aggressively. Defense is a requirement for any Coach Cipoletta team.
Coach Cipoletta said defense is a big part of what he teaches at Sulphur Springs High School. He said if you sell it to kids at an early age, they are more likely to retain it later on. About sixty boys, from those entering kindergarten to fifth graders, showed up Tuesday morning. A session for boys entering sixth through the eighth grade is taking place in the afternoon. Coach Cipoletta said he was pleased with the turnout and he said the boys seemed excited. He said it was fun to be a part of the camp.
Coach Cipoletta said he enjoyed meeting the boys and helping to mold their basketball skills. The camp features the basics of Sulphur Springs’ basketball and fundamentals of the game. Coach Cipoletta said the camp for youngsters accommodates players with some skills already and others just beginning to learn the game. Coach Cipoletta said he teaches passing, dribbling and shooting and how to play team basketball. He said the afternoon session for older boys would obviously be more advanced and would stress good basketball IQ.
The camp will run through Thursday.
