Bainbridge High School Bearcats Basketball Coach Rickey McCullough taught youngsters basketball skills and life lessons at his annual youth basketball camp this week at the Bainbridge-Decatur County YMCA.

YMCA CEO Ken Bailey says 8- to-14-year-old youngsters atttending the annual camp, which began Monday and ran through Thursday, learned more than just basketball.

Bailey pointed out that McCullough and BHS head football coach Ed Pilcher, who also has conducted YMCA programs, truly care about youngsters.

“Coach McCullough and Coach Pilcher might find a player or two at programs and camps they conduct at the YMCA, but that is not their main purpose,” Bailey said. “It is very important to them that the campers grow up to be good citizens.”

With the assistance of some of his players, including 2009-2010 Region 1-AAAA player of the year and rising BHS senior forward Devon Baulkman, McCullough demonstrated the importance of good passing, solid defensive play and good shooting form.

“We want the campers to learn the basic fundamentals of the game and have some fun,” McCullough, said as he sat by the side of the YMCA court and watched the young men shoot jump shots and free throws.

McCullough led his to consecutive Region 1-AAAA championships and state Class AAAA Final Four appearances the past two seasons. He was Region 1AAAA Coach of the Year for both seasons. This past May, he was inducted May 15 into the Florida Association of Basketball Coaches (FABC) 2010 Court of Legends Hall of Fame in Orlando.

He compiled an outstanding 599-229 record in a 31-year career at Cottondale, Liberty County, Bristol and Chipley, Florida High Schools.

Coach McCullough led his Chipley teams to 19 District championships and 15 Regional championships. He led the Chipley boys team to four Final Fours and the Chipley girls team to one Final Four.

His Bainbridge teams have built an impressive 86-34 record the past four seasons.