Local Notes: Westminster Christian to host shooting camp
From Staff Reports July 1, 2012 7:56PM
Instructor Avis Stewart (left) watches as former NBA player Ray Tolbert works with camper Emily Stapay at last year's Westminster Christian basketball shooting camp. The camp will be held again July 9-11. | Michael Smart~Sun-Times Media
Updated: August 3, 2012 6:12AM
Westminster Christian is hosting a coed basketball shooting camp which will be open to any interested players in grades 3-12 from any school.
The camp will run from July 9-11 at Westminster Christian’s gym and will be split into two sessions based on age group. Camp fees are $150, but players do have the option of attending only one or two of the days at a prorated fee.
Westminster’s shooting camp teaches players to perfect their shot through strong rhythmic drills that lock the necessary shooting technique into the player’s muscle memory. This enables the athlete to execute proper shooting mechanics.
The camp’s guest instructors include the following:
• Ray Tolbert — Tolbert was Mr. Indiana basketball in 1977 and a McDonald’s High School All American. He played for Bobby Knight at Indiana University from 1977- 1981. During those years he helped the Hoosiers to an NIT Championship (’79), two Big 10 Conference Championships (’79 and ’81) and an NCAA Championship (’81). He was a member of the Pan American Gold medal team as well as Team MVP and captain at Indiana University.
From 1981-1990 he played in the NBA and was with the Los Angeles Lakers championship team in 1988. After his retirement from the NBA, he coached high school basketball. He is currently Director of Prime Time Pro Training.
• Jim Irwin — Irwin has been a high school basketball coach in Indiana for more than 30 years. He has worked as a shooting evaluator at Dick Baumgartner’s shooting camp for 20 years, helping 20,000 players improve their shot. He also has done many lectures on the breakdown of the jump shot (foot work, hands and shooting pocket) and dribbling. Many coaches consider him the finest teacher of dribbling in the United States. Irwin has also been an instructor and lecturer at coach Paul Patterson’s basketball camps at Taylor University in Indiana.
• Avis Stewart — Stewart has coached two AAU state championship teams and four state runners-up in 10 years. He has improved the offensive techniques and shooting skills of numerous Indiana All-Stars, as well as pro players. Former Earlham College and NBA coach Del Harris said, “Avis was an outstanding player for me and has been an excellent teacher/coach. His understanding of the mechanics and psychology of shooting is unquestionable.”
For more information, contact Westminster assistant coach Rich Engle at 407-924-4673 or Westminster athletic director Rick Palmer at 847-695-0310, ext. 231.
River Corridor Foundation of St. Charles to host 5K
On August 11, the River Corridor Foundation of St. Charles is hosting the Bob Leonard 5K Run and Walk-A-Thon along the Fox River. This event is the primary fund-raising activity for the organization.
The Bob Leonard 5K Run begins in Pottawatomie Park at 8 a.m. The professionally timed course is USATF-certified and the finish line is also in Pottawatomie Park. Medals and prizes will be awarded to the top three finishers in each age group in addition to the best overall time finishers.
Families with pets and strollers are welcome to participate in the walk starting at 9:30 a.m. The 2½ mile route begins and ends in Pottawatomie Park. Walkers are led through downtown St. Charles into Mount St. Mary Park to view the Sculptures in the Park exhibition and scenic outlook points along the river.
New for 2012, boys and girls ages 4-11 can participate in the Colonial Café Kids’ Turtle Hurdle Obstacle Course. This event starts at 10:30 a.m. and will challenge kids with five different obstacles. Each participant will have an opportunity to test run the course before a timed trial run. All kids will receive a T-shirt, participation ribbon and goody bag full of souvenirs.
All participants are invited to a party at the grand pavilion immediately following the walk with live music, food and prize drawings valued over $4,000.
Early registration is encouraged at www.Signmeup.com/81922. For more information about The River Corridor Foundation of St. Charles and for additional registration forms, please visit www.stcrivercorridor.org.
Sears Centre to host lacrosse exhibitions
Indoor lacrosse returns to the Sears Centre for two exhibition games as Team USA takes on the Chicago Outlaws and the All-Stars from the Midwest Indoor Lacrosse Association (MILA) at 6 p.m. on August 4 and at 2:30 p.m. on August 5.
Tickets are $12 for general admission and $20 for a weekend pass. They are available at www.SearsCentre.com, by calling 1-888-SEARS-TIX, or visiting the Kia Box office at the Sears Centre Arena.
A youth lacrosse clinic will be hosted on Aug. 4 by the coach of Team USA, Tom Ryan, and is included with the purchase of a weekend pass. Parking is included with the entrance fee. For more information about the event or to book a group please contact Ray@ChicagoOutlaws.net.
