Basketballs hammered the hardwood as Englewood High School coaches and players put on a clinic for third- through fifth-graders involved in the city’s hoop program at the recreation center.

About 25 young athletes took part in the 90-minute clinic that focused on drills on basketball fundamentals. Each drill was aimed at skills including dribbling, passing and shooting. Throughout the clinic, the coaches explained the drills while Pirates players first demonstrated them then helped the young athletes perform them.

Luis Torres said his son was excited to take part in the clinic and that he felt it was a great program to have the high school players help boys like his son learn the game.

Jennifer Sutherland had a similar comment.

She said it was fun for her to be with the kids and she liked the idea of the high school players helping the young athletes.

“My son looks up to older boys like the high school players and he will listen to what they tell him to do to help him be a better basketball player,” she said.

She said he son’s favorite sport is football but he likes basketball too and the clinic probably will make basketball more fun for him.

Fifth-grader Ty Davis said the clinic made it fun to learn how to be a better basketball player.

He said he liked having high school players help him with his skills.

“I learned about the jump-stop before shooting and I think that will help me when we start the season,” the Hay Elementary School student said. “Also, quite a few of the guys who are on the Hay team are here so I think this will help us be a better team.”

Cody Stivers, one of the EHS players, said the clinic was fun for him, too. He said all the kids are eager to learn and he feels good he can pass on what he has learned to the younger players.

Pirates coach Stu Howard said he felt the program was good for his players as well as a learning experience for the younger kids. He noted a half dozen of the Pirates players played in the the recreation-program teams when they were in elementary school, so they can relate to the young athletes.

“This is a chance for our kids to relax and have fun as they help these young players learn more about basketball,” Howard said. “It also helps create a bond between the high school players and the young kids.”

To encourage the bond, all the young players who attended the clinic got a coupon for free admission for one adult and one young athlete to the Jan. 28 Englewood-Centaurus game.

High school coaches, players teach hoop fundamentals to third- through fifth-graders

Program focused on drills young players can practice at school or home.

Clinic put on for third- through fifth-graders taking park in recreation department hoop program.