Alex Bouchard of Caribou was named MVP of the last summer’s Tiger Basketball Camp. Making the presentation was Larry Gardner, camp director. This year’s boys camp is scheduled for June 19-23 at Fort Fairfield High School. (Contributed photo)
FORT FAIRFIELD, Maine — Spots are still available for the upcoming “Tiger” Basketball Camp, which returns for its 31st year under director Larry Gardner.
The boys’ camp begins Monday, June 19, and runs through June 23, while the girls’ camp is offered the following week, June 26-30.
The venues are Fort Fairfield High School and Fort Fairfield Elementary School. Gardner said the camp is targeted to youth currently in grades 1-8 who are beginning players, advanced or fall somewhere in between.
Gardner, who coaches the girls’ varsity team at Fort Fairfield and has been a high school coach for nearly 30 years, said the camp’s objective is “to provide the best possible instruction to all players by teaching the fundamentals of the game at the various levels in the manner of good sportsmanship and safety.”
Players will be grouped by age and ability into one of three divisions: high school, college and NBA/WNBA.
The experience includes drills, games, films and lectures in a competitive and fun atmosphere.
High school coaches from throughout the region will be on staff, including Van Buren girls’ coach Matt Rossignol, the former Crusader and University of Maine Black Bear standout who last year was inducted into the Maine Basketball Hall of Fame.
Each camper receives breakfast and lunch daily, a camp T-shirt and camp basketball, which Gardner said is one of the best in the 31-year history of the camp. Daily hustle and sharpshooter awards will be presented.
The first 150 boys and the first 150 girls to apply will be accepted. The camp runs from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on the first four days and from 8 a.m. to approximately 1 p.m. on the final day, which serves as “Championship Friday.”
The Friday slate begins with the 1-on-1 championship at 8:15, with foul shooting, 3-on-3 and the skills challenge championships following.
The team championship games are at 9:15 and 10 a.m. and the all-star games are at 10:30 and 11 a.m. After a performance by youth in the high school division, staff will give out camp T-shirts, followed by the barbecue lunch at noon for players and family members. An awards will follow lunch.
The cost of the camp is $140, with discounts provided to families with more than one child participating. Applications are still available at local recreation departments and various businesses throughout central Aroostook County. Call Gardner at 473-4055 or 551-5001 for more information or to obtain an application form.
Pepsi Bottling Group is the camp’s major sponsor. Sweet Frog Yogurt and Goughan’s Berry Farm are providing gifts to all campers.
