For the third year in a row, the 13-member Douglas College women’s basketball team led by captain Ellen Fallis trekked to Elphinstone Secondary to host a skills camp for the Sunshine Coast Special Olympic basketball teams.
All 18 athletes, including newcomer Jordan Cattermole, were focused and followed instructions to a T. It was a fun atmosphere as the young women from Douglas College led the athletes through warm-ups, drills and skills that culminated in an “Athletes vs. Coaches” game.
The initial focus on such concepts as “owning the ball” moved onto dribbling and crossovers. In a game called Octopus, athletes had to dribble the ball from one side to the other without having their ball knocked away. Gibsons athlete Amber Maher was the only survivor.
Shooting drills were next, and in one contest that involved groups collecting balls for each successful layup shot, Jamie Karliner did so well that he helped his group collect six basketballs.
Athlete Wes Harrison, who plays for Gibsons, said he enjoys playing with the Douglas College volunteer coaches and is “learning more each year.”
Fallis thinks “skills and teamwork are important,” but the main focus is “to have fun.” She enjoys “giving back to her community” and we are grateful for her dedication.
The result of the final game between the athletes and coaches was 3-1 in favour of the athletes.
– Mike Oswald, Athlete Reporter
