McCullough teaches hoops fundamentals, life
Published 10:11 am Friday, July 12, 2013
BASKETBALL CAMPERS included Davis Fork, Tychicus Levens, Ben Faircloth, Milton Gayle, Desmond Thomas, Myles Malone, Kendall Lodman, Kenneth Clark, Breoin Collier, Bryant Bell, Olivia Jeffrey, Timothy Tarver Jr., Dell Washington, Clay Jeffrey, Tylar Kelly, Connor Willis, Jalen Tommie, Brandon Davis, Jeremiah Davis, Terry Thomas, Jeremiah Lewis and Jamarvin Bouie.
A group of young boys and girls sharpened their basketball skills this week under the tutelage of veteran high school coach Rickey McCullough, the current head coach at Bainbridge High School.
McCullough has had numerous winning seasons in Chipley, Fla., and in Bainbridge—including two trips to the Georgia AAAA Final Four in recent years. He had about 25 young players come out to his summer basketball camp, held Monday through Thursday of this week at the YMCA.
Fundamental skills worked on during the camp included ball handling, dribbling, passing and shooting, utilizing daily competitions and games.
CAMP AWARD WINNERS are back row, Milton Gayle and Jeremiah Davis, both of whom won the “Hot Shot” and free throw competitions in their age group, and in front, Myles Malone (Hot Shot winner) and Terry Thomas (free throw winner).
“We did work a little bit on defense, although that’s not as important for younger players,” McCullough said. “The idea is to help them improve their play so that they can make their school teams or play better on their YMCA teams.”
McCullough, whose emphasis on personal discipline, respect and sportsmanship is evident to those who watch him coach the Bearcats, said he also tries to teach younger players some life lessons.
“Being on time, getting along with others, playing together as a team and being responsible for your actions are also things we teach at camp,” McCullough said. “All of those things will also help them be better players and successful in life.”
McCullough’s varsity Bearcats completed their summer competitions and camps in June. He said some of his players are now at summer football camp, but basketball practice will resume in a couple of months, after school starts back.
