Kids learn to love the game at 23rd Dip Metress Basketball Academy
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Over a hundred kids from first to 11th grade are taking part in the 23rd edition of the Dip Metress Basketball Academy this week.
“Everyone’s at a different stage. We’ve got some 15-year-olds, we’ve got some 5-year-olds. Some of them, they’re worried about lunch, others are worried about is my ball handling getting better, it’s my shooting getting better,” said Augusta University’s Head Basketball Coach, Dip Metress.
Metress’ all-star lineup of current and former coaches and players is helping these campers get the most out of the week.
Greenbrier Head Basketball Coach Dee Howard said: “I was fortunate enough that I could have my daughter at this camp, here as well. So, hopefully, she’s learning some things. Hopefully, all of these kids are learning some things, and they’ll take some tidbits and carry it with them as they progress throughout their careers.”
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Even former campers, like Augusta Christian Alum Jessica Dowdy, are having an impact.
“I actually played at this camp when I was very little, I was like in third grade and I would always look up to the college players here, and now here I am playing college basketball,” said Dowdy.
Dowdy just finished her sophomore season playing for Flagler College.
Once upon a time, being a camper helped Dowdy find her love for the game, and she’s encouraged by what she’s seeing from her campers so far.
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“It makes me really excited to see the future. It is really inspirational. I’ve already had a few girls beating a couple of guys on these like, we played the hot shot and knock out and we had two girls win those games, so that was very entertaining for me to watch,” she said.
While the camp is a great way for these kids to develop their skills on the court, Metress says he just wants these young ballers to have fun and discover a lifelong ion for the game of basketball.
“Sports are fun and you want to have fun with them, and the main thing is to do them for enjoyment. I was very fortunate at a young age to get to camps my whole life. When I became a coach, I said I was going to do the fun things that we have at camp. Hotshot, knock out, five on five, three on three, we don’t watch film and all of that stuff. We want them to have a fun time,” said Metress.
The 23rd Dip Metress Basketball Academy continues through Friday at Christenberry Fieldhouse.
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