Some of Virginia’s top female players took part at the camp.
From June 25-27, I had the privilege of working the Debbie Ryan Skills Academy for some of the top girls’ basketball players in the state of Virginia. The event took place at the University of Virginia and its unbelievable facilities at John Paul Jones Arena. Virginia commit and NYC’s own China Crosby will love it there!
The skills academy is usually known as an elite camp because it attracts several female ballers who are interested in attending UVA or are being recruited by the staff there. Believe me, there was no shortage of talent at camp this year.
The UVA women’s coaching staff, other great high school coaches and I were in the building, putting players through intense drills and scrimmages designed to give the girls a taste of next-level training and practice. We worked on post positioning, footwork during dribble-drive moves, ball handling, and shooting form and mechanics. I was in charge of putting the girls through their daily ball handling drills. We started with one ball and then moved to two in a stationary position, then progressing to making moves with two balls.
Overall, the camp was fun, intense and a joy to be involved with. Keep an ear open for these names from Virginia: Merritt Hempe, Tay Taylor and Ashley Lambert. You heard it here first!
By Jeremy Hartman
July 22nd, 2009 at 2:40 pm
Casey Lee says:
The women’s leagues/camps could definitely use some more publicity! One of the best female players played at UVA in Dawn Staley from North Philly.
July 22nd, 2009 at 4:44 pm
Jeremy says:
I’m all for covering them Casey. As a women’s coach I think the women get left out too much! And Dawn is a legend at UVa. You can’t walk down the hallway without seeing her pic!
September 9th, 2009 at 7:29 am
Robyn Gray says:
I agree. Northern VA has some under the radar talent. Lambert and Hempe are amongst other Top-Level players in VA who train at The Sports Booth Athletic Center which is the newest and largest multi-sport complex in Northern VA. UVA is in our back yard. The great “Moni” Wright also came through the ranks here with Boothe.
September 9th, 2009 at 7:30 am
Robyn Gray says:
Thank you Jeremy for covering our local athlete’s her in NO. VA. keep up the great work!