Team Hurricane Basketball Academy hosted its annual Global Squad Invitational Skills Camp at Warwick Academy last month.

Doug Reed, the academy's founder and president, once again handed over the coaching reins to Jake Brown and Nick Monroe of Alexander Basketball Academy in Pennsylvania.

During the three-day camp, Team Hurricane's athletes learnt fundamental training techniques including footwork, speed, agility, ball-handling, and shooting.

Coach Brown, who also serves as an assistant coach at Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pennsylvania, had encouraging words about the talent and heart of young Bermudian players.

“The three main teaching points were that each individual needs to take ownership of their game, they need to keep it simple, and to help them understand that it's a process,” Brown said.

“Coach Monroe and I are only able to work with the student athletes of Team Hurricane for three days, and while coach Reed continues to push them day in and day out, in the end, it's on them to take ownership of their game. We intentionally kept things simple to show them that even the most basic skills take focus and repetition. Lastly, we wanted them to focus on their individual progress rather than those around them.

“I was most impressed with their receptiveness to new ideas and instruction. It took only three days to see how invested the student athletes of Team Hurricane are to the game of basketball, and with the coaching and opportunity provided by coach Reed, I believe the programme will see exponential growth in the coming years.”

Coach Brown also praised player Jorel Smith, who along with Team Hurricane team-mates Bryce Gonsalves, Christian Liyanage, Jacy Lowery, Rye Ahronson and Darae Smith, has participated in Alexander Basketball Academy's Global Squad, a summer intensive programme held in July at the Hill School in Pottstown.

“It was great to see former Global Squad standout Jorel Smith,” Brown added. “It's amazing how much he has grown as a player and young man. He is a perfect example of someone who took ownership of his game and has continued to push himself on the court.”

For the second year in a row, the camp was supported by Allied World Assurance and highlighted the academy's ability to provide a platform in which athletes can train, develop and reach their academic and athletic potential.

Team Hurricane Academy is a free youth programme for players aged 7 to 21 and runs every Saturday at Warwick Academy from 2pm to 4.30pm. For more details contact Doug Reed on 504-1962 or visit the team's website at www.teamhurricanehoops.com.