WAVERLY TEEN GIVING BACK TO COMMUNITY, SPORT BY HELPING WITH LOCAL AAU HOOP PROGRAM (2 PHOTOS) (2020-06-24)
BY TIM BIRNEYValley Sports ReportCHEMUNG - Waverly's Ryan Lambert, who will be a senior in the fall, is looking to give a little back to the community and his sport as an assistant coach with the newly-minted Waverly Rec. / Hemp Geek AAU basketball program.
Lambert, who has two years of experience on the Waverly varsity basketball team, has spent the last few months working with the 12U travel team.
"This is what it's all about. You teach one youth, and the youth passes it down to the next one," said the AAU program director Reggie Hawkins.
"I met Ryan a few years back," he noted. "He's a senior now, and it's time for him to be a vocal leader.
"This is going to help him out a great deal," added Hawkins.
Lambert is enjoying his time working the younger kids.
"This has been a good experience.
"I've been doing this for a couple months now," said Lambert. "It's fun to watch these kids get better. It's crazy to see how much some of these kids have improved from where they started."
Those involved with the program, including Hawkins, say Lambert has become a role model for the younger kids.
"I see a lot of them looking up to me," said Lambert.
"I see a lot of the kids watching me, and trying to do what I do," he added. "It's pretty cool to see."
Ryan Bombard, whose son Jackson is a three-sport athlete in the Tioga youth programs, said Lambert has had an impact on his son.
"I think it's amazing. As much as we're involved in youth sports, I think it's awesome to see kids like (Ryan Lambert) not only want to be involved, but step in and do a great job, and be a great leader and role model.
"I would love to see more kids do that," noted Bombard.
"I know my son looks up to him," he said. "Whenever they are doing drills, (Ryan) is in the front of the line, and Jack is giving it everything he has to try and keep up with him. And, he's always looking out for Jack, too.
"I think what he's doing with these kids is phenomenal," added Bombard.
Lambert has no concrete plans for the future.
"I haven't decided what I'm doing after graduation yet, I'm just taking it one day at a time," he said. "But I do enjoy coaching these younger kids."
Hawkins believes Lambert has a future on the sidelines after his playing days.
"I think he has a future coaching if that's something he wants to pursue.
"He definitely knows the game," said Hawkins. "He just needs to be more vocal, and everything after that will fall into place."
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IN PHOTOS: Ryan Lambert leads a ball-handling drill. Also shown Jackson Bombard and Peyton Robinson (blue). ... PHOTO BY TIM BIRNEY.
