Summer basketball training begins

Summer basketball season for Mountain Home High School's Lady Tigers officially began last week with turnout for the program at an all-time.

The gyms at the high school remain packed the first week with the program averaging more than 40 players in attendance per practice.

For the first time in program history, the girls basketball program will field three teams for the summer session.

Entering his tenth season as the Lady Tigers varsity head coach, Brent Keener said the high turnout was the result of a team effort.

"The entire high school coaching staff has spent a lot of time getting the word out and reminding girls about the off-season," Keener said.

The girls basketball includes both junior high and high school programs.

"They (junior high players) need to be introduced to the high school system and way of things, and they are the future," Keener said.

At the same time, the coaching staff relies heavily on senior leadership to welcome the newcomers to the program.

"The atmosphere in the gym this summer has been great," said senior co-captain Jacey Carr. "It's really fun to work with the young girls and help them get better along with ourselves."

The uptick in numbers has created a more competitive atmosphere, said senior co-captain Anna Pedroza.

"This summer the competitiveness in the gym has been really intense," Pedroza said. "Everyone is working hard to get better" in regards to competition.

The girls basketball program found a balance in increasing attendance and competition in a short period of time. The players are not cutting off its efforts to develop basketball skills at the junior high levels.

Representatives with the girls program will host a basketball youth camp for girls players in first to sixth grade from June 8 to 9 at Mountain Home High School. In addition, the members of the girls basketball program will host an advantage basketball camp from Aug. 1 to 5 at the high school.

Parents need to submit the registration paperwork by July 1. For details, go online to www.mhhsgirlsbasketball.mtnhomesd.org.