YOUTH BASKETBALL: HOOPS GURU HAWKINS HOSTING SKILLS CLINIC THURSDAY; FREE WAVERLY REC. 12U AAU TRY-OUTS CONTINUE (2020-02-19)
By TIM BIRNEYValley Sports ReportCHEMUNG "” Binghamton-area basketball guru Reggie Hawkins will be coaching Waverly Recreation's new 12U AAU boys basketball team in the near future, but first he's hosting an individual skills open training session here Thursday morning at the Chemung School.
"We're trying to bring the skills and drills to the kids here in the Valley, to build and develop their basketball skills," said Hawkins.
With the Waverly School District on break this week, Waverly Recreation is holding the training session on a week day. Thursday's session runs from 10 a.m. to noon. The cost is $15. Registration begins at 9:45 a.m.
"This spring and summer, I'll try to be here three or four times a week for similar sessions," Hawkins said.
The focus of Tuesday's session was ball handling, but Hawkins also spoke to 18 youngsters on hand about the importance of listening to coaches, and dedication to the sport.
"My philosophy is hard work, dedication, and passion," said Hawkins. "No one can tell you what you can't do, you can make it as far as you want if you're dedicated, passionate, and put in the work."
Hawkins is the Montrose High School coach, and coaches the semi-pro Binghamton Bulldogs. He'll add a third job on March 1 when the Waverly Rec. 12U AAU is chosen after its third try-out.
"I'm a busy guy," laughed Hawkins. "Basketball is what I do, it's my passion.
I know my calling now, it's to help kids, and through basketball is a great way to start," he added.
The 12U team, which is sponsored by Hemp Geek, is open to any player eligible to play on a 12U team, regardless of school district.
"This is not just about the kids from Waverly," said Waverly Rec. Director Dave Shaw. "We're looking to see how many kids we can get from Athens, Sayre, and Tioga, as well as Spencer-VanEtten, Candor, Owego, Towanda, Elmira, Horseheads ... kids from anywhere can play.
"We're here to promote the kids, and that's what we're going to do," noted Shaw.
The 12U team will also be free to all involved.
"The cost can be prohibitive, with travel, gas, meals, hotels, etc.," said Shaw. "This program won't cost the families anything - the kids are going to play for free. We'll outfit them with new uniforms, warm-ups, bags - everything.
"The only cost the parents will be responsible for is the $16 fee to register for AAU, so the kids are eligible to play," added Shaw.
"We just want to give the kids an opportunity, without the normal cost associated, which can be prohibitive," said Hemp Geek owner Keith Thomas.
Shaw added that if there's enough interest, Waverly Rec. and Hemp Geek will sponsor more than one 12U team.
"If there's enough interest this year, we'll have more than one team," said Shaw. "We could have an elite team, and a regular AAU team. It's about the kids.
"Our goal eventually is to have AAU basketball "” both boys and girls - and AAU baseball and softball," he noted. "We'd like to have multiple age groups - 10U, 12U, 13U, 14U and so on.
"We're here to promote the kids, and that's what we're going to do," added Shaw.
The final two try-outs for the 12U team will be Sunday Feb. 23 and Sunday, March 1 at 6 p.m. at the former Chemung Elementary School.
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IN PHOTO 1: Reggie Hawkins. ... PHOTOS BY TIM BIRNEY.
