Retired Wallace State women’s basketball coach Larry Slater demonstrates a move at the Morgan County Girls Basketball Camp on May 30. | Clif Knight

It was back to the basics in basketball for 60 girls, ranging in age from 6 to 12, who participated in the fifth annual Morgan County Girls Basketball Camp at Priceville High School this week.

The girls were split into eight groups with grades K-3 working in the school’s small gym and grades 4-6 working in the main gym.

Camp director Larry Slater, retired head women’s basketball coach at Wallace State Community College; his daughter Terrie Nelson, head girls basketball coach at Priceville High; and coach Garry Pressley worked with the older players. Catrina Mason, assistant girls basketball coach at Priceville High, and Abby Harris, a former Priceville High player, coached the younger girls.

In addition, returning members of Priceville’s varsity and junior varsity Lady Bulldogs assisted the instructors.

“We have a good group of kids and not all of them are from Priceville,” said Slater. “We’ve also got kids here from Falkville, Cotaco and West Morgan.

“We focus on teaching basic basketball skills – dribbling, passing and shooting – to the younger girls,” Slater pointed out. “We can’t make a player in four days but what we can do is give them some drills they can work on at home.

“We take a little different approach in working with the older girls,” he added. “Most of them already have some skills so we guide them in correcting their weaknesses and show them what not to do under certain game situations.

“We also mix in some fun, such as doing pre-game warm-ups, competing against each other in games and playing ‘Gotcha’ and ‘Hot Shot’ competitions. Plus, we’ll have an awards ceremony at the end of camp.”

“This is a positive thing for our program and the community,” said Nelson. “It’s exciting

to see how upbeat and energetic the kids are and to have the opportunity to help them improve their skills.”