The Michael C. Jarrett Basketball Clinic will return for a sixth year on July 29-30. The clinic enlists the help of several local basketball coaches, along with former Harlem Globe Trotter George Bell. The clinic focuses on helping to improve the skills, teamwork, and confidence of young boys and girls.
Jarrett said the clinic is “very, very structured. I try to teach fundamentals, I want the kids to learn life skills, as well as basketball skills,” with a focus on teaching fundamentals at the clinic that will be held at Fort Trial Baptist Church, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for 6-10-year-olds, and 5 to 7 p.m. for 11 to 16-year-olds.
“Basketball skills and life skills have a common thread,” said Jarrett, who is hoping to make an impact on the lives of many young children this year. “The coaches and I work hard to help local kids learn the fundamentals of basketball but also the fundamentals of life. Hard work, teamwork, friendship, sharing, discipline, focus, positive attitude, obeying rules, and other attributes serve young people both in sports and in life.”
Participants will have breaks, with snacks and drinks, and can opt to participate for one day or two days, depending on their preference. Additionally, the clinic covers ages 6 to 16.
Along with Bell, who Jarrett said, “is a big hit with the kids,” there are two other coaches helping at the clinic. Bill Adkins, an assistant coach for the girls’ basketball team at Carlisle School, and John Martin, the current basketball coach at Bassett High School.
Jarrett said he recruited Bell due to being involved in basketball while living in Virginia Beach. “We met and became good friends. I worked with him on basketball skills, and then he went to college and worked with the Harlem Globetrotters in his adult years.”
The two became good friends and have kept in touch for more than 50 years, Jarrett said, adding that Bell also helps with an anti-bullying campaign.
“He’s like a rockstar when he comes up here,” Jarrett said of Bell, and added youngsters in the clinic also have photos taken with Bell as a memento.
The clinic was previously held at the Bassett Community Center and then the Martinsville YMCA. This year, the clinic will move to the gym at Fort Trial Baptist Church, located at 170 Oak Level Road in Stanleytown. The church regularly puts on the Upward Basketball program and is no stranger to supporting basketball events.
“Daniel Reed, the pastor, was very receptive to letting me have my clinic there,” Jarrett said.
The gym is smaller than what Jarrett has worked with in the past, the clinic has been split, with two groups sorted by age.
That also will help to make the clinics “more compatible,” with space for more children, Jarrett said, adding “there’s a big difference in age, size, and skills” to accommodate.
The cost for a single day is $20, or $30 for both days. To enroll, email Jarrett at MCJARRETT4833@gmail.com or call (757) 237-5644.
