Mini Camp: Women's Basketball
6/13/2024 12:35:00 PM | General, Women's Basketball
ABILENE, TEXAS - Julie Goodenough, ACU women's basketball coach, is hosting her annual youth basketball camps this month. Moody has been full of aspiring young athletes, with over 180 girls in attendance this week. The women's basketball's coaching staff, is guiding campers through skill building, teamwork exercises and educational sessions that are aimed to encourage young minds to believe in themselves and develop a love for the sport.
Girls ranging from kindergarten to 12th grade joined the Wildcats on the court for varying drills and activities, with different themes, such as Crazy Hair Day, Crazy Sock Day and more. This young age group is not only getting better at basketball, but have also developed personal relationships in the process.
Goodenough, starting her 13th season at ACU in the fall, her 31st season of coaching overall, creates an environment for campers that encourages them to push their limits, embrace challenges and cultivate their passion for the sport.
"We love hosting girls basketball camps," Goodenough says, "This is just one of the ways our team gives back to the community, offering a camping experience for all ages."
While most of the campers call the Big Country home, some have traveled from the Metroplex and beyond for the elite ACU experience.
"We just had a conversation with a mother who brought her daughter from Florida," said Goodenough. "Her grandparents live in Hawley and told her they had heard about this great basketball camp in Abilene. What an honor to have someone from out of state join us. We feel like we can create a great experience where we can teach different skills and also have fun!"
Goodenough is really proud of the way Wildcat student-athletes are approaching their camp responsibilities and how they are developing connections.
"Our players may be the reason they want to become great basketball players," said Goodenough. "Because they want to be like Payton Hull, or they want to be like Meredith Mayes. And so it puts our players in a position to be good role models and good examples to all the little girls in the big country."
In the midst of the action, we caught up with some of the girls attending the 3rd through 5th grade camp to hear their thoughts on the experience:
Kinzi, age 9: "I love everything about this camp, it's like the best! I have learned how to shoot, and what's the correct form."
Sadie, age 9: "I've learned a lot of stuff. Like calling the person's name so they know that you're going to pass it to them."
Emma, age 8: "My favorite [activity] is hot shot. Where you try to shoot from different angles."
Rae'lynn, age 10: "Stations have been the best. We have learned how to go in between your legs and shooting form. Coaches versus campers was fun. It's when the coaches have the ball and if they tag you, you're out."
Gentry, age 9½: "The best part is warming up. Like, going between your legs, lunges and stuff like that. I have learned the correct way to do a layup."
Women's Basketball will be holding four more camp sessions for students in 5th to 8th grade as well as 9th to 12th grade. You can learn more about those sessions at www.acuwbbcamps.com.
