About 60 area fifth and sixth graders participated this week in the Sheriff’s Youth Athletic Program Basketball Clinic, held at Raymond’s Jordan Small Middle School. The program has been an annual event in Raymond since 1992.
The three-day clinic, led by Cumberland County Deputy Sheriff Joe Schnupp, featured special guest coach Donnie Seale of the Harlem Rockets. Seale, who has been a part of these clinics for the past three years, said Schnupp “put it all together,” and coordinated Seale’s visit to the school to speak about drug awareness as well.
The clinic employed teaching staff from Raymond and SAD 61 as coaches for the event. Students from Lake Region High School, Catherine McCauley High School, and The Elan School also volunteered as junior coaches.
The staff randomly picked teams that stayed together for all three days. “The concept,” said Schnupp, “is to get them to work together, meet new friends, accept each other for who they are regardless of their ability, and to learn to work as a team.”
Schnupp addressed most of the kids by name as he made his rounds through the gym and around the court outside. “I’ve had all these kids in D.A.R.E.,” he said, “and have known most of them from kindergarten.”
The clinic was free to all participants, including the lunch and snacks served each day. Each child also received a T-shirt, sweatbands, and a water bottle and Raymond children were even provided with bus transportation, thanks to the Raymond Mentoring Program, said Schnupp.
Families were invited to Friday afternoon’s closing ceremonies, which included a barbecue with Schnupp and Chief Deputy Kevin Joyce as the grill masters.
The ceremonies featured a round robin tournament, numerous awards, and a demonstration by The Maine Explosions, an Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) girls traveling team.
“It brings kids that have and haven’t played basketball before together,” said Allyson Woods, volunteer junior coach from McCauley, “and they teach each other.”
Lake Region junior coach, Brittany Latsey agreed and added, “It’s really well organized.”
Bradi True, junior coach and McCauley student, summed it up saying, “I think it’s a good thing for kids to be active in the summer and to socialize.”
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