The thumping sounds of 139 basketballs being dribbled on the floors of the Pettey Center and First United Methodist Church recreation center last week was music to the ears of head boys’ basketball coach Keith Wright and head girls’ basketball coach Garry Orr.

“We have 139 kids in camp,” said Wright during a break in action of Wednesday’s session. “That’s a great number and the interest and enthusiasm on the part of the kids is out of the roof.

“This year’s camp is creating a lot of excitement,” added Orr. “It’ll be good for our program. “I’m looking forward to getting things going next fall because we have nine of last season’s 10 starters back and a great group of ninth graders coming up.

The campers were split with K-3 participants working out at First Methodist Church under the leadership of assistant boys basketball coach Greg Adams and former coach Shane Alexander. Fourth through ninth grade campers were coached by Wright and Orr at the Pettey Center.

Returning varsity basketball players assisted with the camp. They included Aaron Wooley and Alex Pettey, both rising seniors.

“It’s a lot of fun being out there on the floor working with the young players,” Wooley said.  “Their enthusiasm inspires me and makes me want to work hard to get ready for next season.”

“We’re here to help build the basketball program down the road,” added Pettey. “The kids you see out on the court working today will be Hartselle’s stars of the future.”

“I come to camp because I want to be a better player,” said Jake Tiffin who will be a candidate for the eighth grade team at Hartselle Junior High school next school year.

Casen Wallace, a rising ninth grader, said camp helps him focus on the little stuff like improving his shooting accuracy

“It helps my dribbling and shooting,” said Riley Terry, a ninth grader who will be a candidate for the girls’ JV team next season.

Wright said his varsity boys’ team is looking forward to making a trip to Orlando, Fla.  for a high school tournament Dec. 27-31.

“The team has been doing fundraisers to defray the cost of the trip,” he said. “Proceeds form the camp will help us meet a $10,000 goal.”