What makes
basketball such a great sport for young kids? We turned to a few of our coaches
to find out this, and much more about the magic of basketball.
Meet the Coaches
Lorrie
McNeill has been coaching her twin boys’ basketball team for three years and
has enjoyed watching her kids thrive in a sport that she herself played through
college. Tony Korson grew up playing basketball through Montgomery County
recreation and has been coaching student and adult players for years.
What made you decide to coach
basketball?
Lorrie: “I played through high school and
played intramural in college. I saw other people devoting their time coaching
my sons’ baseball or soccer teams and I thought, ‘I can do this!’ I started
when the twins were in third grade.”
Tony: “I coached baseball but you can’t
play that in the winter. I always played and had a passion for basketball so I
found an organization where I could coach.”
Why is basketball a good sport for
kids?
Lorrie: “Besides it being a great
cardiovascular sport, it’s a team sport and kids learn to work together and
work with people who have different personalities. Plus, it’s a sport they can
play for years as intramural or in a pick up game.”
Tony: “There are so many different roles in
basketball for kids to play. Whatever their skill, we can find a good match up
in terms of position and everyone contributes to getting that ball into the
basket.”
What do you see as a benefit to kids who
play basketball?
Lorrie: “Kids develop a sense of fair play,
and they learn about good sportsmanship which translates into other parts of
your life. It can help them develop socially and build strong friendships. I’m STILL friends with the girls I played with
in the 4th grade! Plus, it
can help kids develop a sense of routine and time management. They have to get
their homework done before they head out to practice.”
Tony: “Kids get a real sense of
accomplishment from basketball. There is a very tangible goal – get the ball in
the basket. The kids can feel the success and progress as they get closer to
the basket and then actually score.”
Have you ever had a special coaching
moment?
Lorrie: “Yes! Two years ago I had a player
that was new to the neighborhood and very shy. At the beginning of the season
he really did not want to be there. By the end of the season his mother was
telling me how much he enjoyed it and that he definitely wanted to play next
year. It was such a change in just a few short weeks!
Tony: “I think on every rec team there is
THAT kid who struggles at the beginning of the season. And then, there is that
moment when they score their first basket. Everything suddenly changes.”
Why do you like coaching for
Montgomery County Recreation?
Lorrie: “The folks who run the league are
very responsive, and they have thought of everything for the rules and for the
support you need. The instructions to register are easy and online registration
is awesome. The coach’s meeting is always convenient and the free clinic is
great.”
Tony: “It’s a very well organized league.
They make the games and practices convenient for where your team lives. The
Referees are good and the game schedule comes out early which is helpful.”
