Joey Yashinsky
------------------------------------
Beginning Friday, Joe Louis Arena will play host to 18 do-or-die basketball games over just a five-day period. Both the men and women of the Horizon League will battle it out to decide their respective champions. But for a couple of hours on Sunday, March 5, it’ll be the youngsters taking center stage at the Joe for the first Horizon League Basketball Camp.
The jam-packed event will take place from 9:00-11:00 a.m. and is for boys and girls, ages 8 to 14. Leading the kids will be a pair of former Oakland University greats, Brandon Cassise (2004-08) and Jonathon Jones (2006-10). The nation’s leader in assists in 2008-09, Jones says participants can expect a good mix of instruction and play.
“We’re going to put them through a good workout. Get some stations going with ball handling, shooting, and some defensive stuff. Also, we will pick the top ten campers and they will get to play during halftime of one of the tournament games later that day. It’ll be great for the families of the kids, getting to see them play on a collegiate court at Joe Louis Arena.”
The cost of the event is $25, but it comes with far more than just the two-hour camp session. Along with admission to the camp, participants will receive a pair of tickets to watch all four Horizon League tournament games on Sunday; and two food vouchers for a slice of pizza or a hot dog; and a Horizon League T-shirt. For an 11-year-old, it’s the equivalent of winning the Showcase Showdown on The Price Is Right.
As camp co-leader Jones says, “It would’ve been amazing to have had something like this back in my day.”
Campers will also get to hear from Lisa McDowell, dietitian for the Detroit Red Wings and Team USA during the 2012 Summer Olympics. She’ll lead an interactive discussion with the boys and girls about the importance of staying healthy, maintaining a balanced diet, and always staying at the top of their game.
To cap off the event, a number of mascots from participating universities will also be in attendance. They’ll join in for various activities and bring a good dose of fun and humor to the morning.
For kids of all skill levels, Sunday at Motor City Madness is sure to be an experience they will not soon forget.
For more information about the Horizon League Basketball Camp and to buy tickets, please visit: www.OlympiaEntertainment.com/BballCamp or call 313-471-7049
