Young Dribblers Sought for New Club

Area young athletes interested in sharpening their basketball skills will want to sign up for the new East Central Community College Warriors Dribbling Club, which was recently established by first-year Warrior head basketball coach Robert Thompson.

“The ECCC Dribbling Club is the perfect opportunity for first-through-sixth-grade boys and girls to develop basketball skills through practice and performance,” said Coach Thompson. “Basketball skills are taught once a week at East Central, and the skills learned will then performed during halftime of area high school and college basketball games.”

Thompson said ball-handling skills are taught in a “progressive” manner, starting with basic dribbling that will evolve into “more advanced” dribbling.

“Performances are choreographed to music and provide great entertainment to parents and fans alike,” he added.

Thompson noted “countless benefits” for members of the ECCC Dribbling Club.

“The program enhances hand-eye coordination, listening, and basketball skills,” said Thompson. “Each player receives big brother/big sister mentoring and individualized attention and coaching. Players develop teamwork, confidence and pride. In addition, coaches and ECCC basketball players lead a weekly discussion on topics related to life and leadership outside basketball.”

Cost is $100 per participant, which includes five months of basketball skill lessons and performances, an ECCC Warrior T-shirt and a personal basketball.

Practice sessions will be held in the recently renovated Brackeen-Wood Gymnasium beginning at 3 p. m. Sunday, October 20. Performances are scheduled Saturday, November 9 and Friday, November 22.

A final practice session for 2013 is set for 3 p.m. Sunday, December 8.

Performances in January 2014 will be announced at a later date.

For more information, contact Coach Robert Thompson at ECCC, 601-635-6243 or call toll free, 877-462-3222, ext. 243. His e-mail address is rthompson@eccc.edu.