Teaching the teachers

Shoal River Middle School boys basketball coach Mitch Buckelew didn’t know what to expect when he decided to host a coaching clinic on Nov. 14.

His goal was to give local youth league coaches some drills they could use as taught by local middle school and high school coaches.

“It was just really to help the YMCA, the city league and ROC league coaches to have something to work on during practice,” Buckelew said. “We see a lot of kids that get out and just play.

“There’s nothing wrong with playing, but we need them working on the game and working on the basic fundamentals and basics. That was the purpose behind it. Our idea was trying to help them learn some drills and skills where they could work with the younger kids.”

Buckelew recruited Davidson Middle School boys coach James Kerrell to help with the clinic, along with Crestview girls coach, Donald Campbell, and boys coach Keith White. Former Bulldog coach John Kimble also was scheduled to speak.

The format was simple.

Each coach was given 10 minutes to teach three simple drills that covered all the skill sets needed in basketball.

“You’ll see some drills concerning the fast break and passing,” Buckelew said moments before the clinic started.

“I’m going to be doing the shooting drills.

“We are just trying to get them where they can do the little things, where they can shoot the ball properly, where they can do a lay-up, know how to pass and run the floor, that kind of thing. That was our intention.”