‘On the Court’ Basketball Academy Returns for 2nd Year with Training for West Hartford Youth
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On the Court Basketball Academy clinic in West Hartford. March 13, 2024. Courtesy photo
The second annual ‘On the Court’ clinic was attended by 73 boys and girls in grades 5 through 8.
On the Court Basketball Academy clinic in West Hartford. March 13, 2024. Courtesy photo
By Ronni Newton
After the success of last year’s “On the Court” Basketball Academy Clinic, the event returned to Hall High School on Wednesday, March 13 for the second year of what will be an annual opportunity for dozens of boys and girls to receive instruction and focus on basic but essential basketball skills – including shooting, jumping and quickness, dribbling, and basketball IQ.
“We had 73 participants which was more than last year,” said Mark Walker, who leads the West Hartford Youth Basketball League’s Travel Division and was the organizer of the clinic. “The biggest increase were girls participating which I was excited to see. We also had basketball players from Hall, Conard, and Watkinson work with the kids which they interacted extremely well together.”
High school players who volunteered to help with the training included Conard’s Riley Fox, Aidan Fox, and Max Tartaglia; Hall’s Amecca Freeman, Chase Hanawalt, Anthony McGowan, and Colin McGann; and James Dorsey, Quincy Gaddy, Eli Limric, and Colby Hicks from Watkinson.
In addition, Watkinson boys varsity head coach Dan Horwitz, and coaches Justin Katz, Stu Miller, and Onyx Erazo helped On the Court Directors Matthew Walker and Mark Walker, and contributed to the success of the event.
“The drills were focused on ball handling, shooting, layups, jumping, executing plays and full court strategic situations. The feedback was very positive from the parents and the kids are ready for the next clinic,” Mark Walker said.
A portion of the fees from the clinic will be donated to West Hartford’s girls and boys travel and recreational programs, and as well as the Conard and Hall high school basketball programs.
On the Court is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that offers basketball skills training to youth and supports the basketball programs in West Hartford. Upcoming clinics will be held during the spring, summer, and fall, and more information can be found on the West Hartford Leisure Services website as well as On the Court’s website, onthecourt.us.
On the Court Basketball Academy clinic in West Hartford. March 13, 2024. Courtesy photo
On the Court Basketball Academy clinic in West Hartford. March 13, 2024. Courtesy photo
On the Court Basketball Academy clinic in West Hartford. March 13, 2024. Courtesy photo
On the Court Basketball Academy clinic in West Hartford. March 13, 2024. Courtesy photo
On the Court Basketball Academy clinic in West Hartford. March 13, 2024. Courtesy photo
On the Court Basketball Academy clinic in West Hartford. March 13, 2024. Courtesy photo
On the Court Basketball Academy clinic in West Hartford. March 13, 2024. Courtesy photo
On the Court Basketball Academy clinic in West Hartford. March 13, 2024. Courtesy photo
On the Court Basketball Academy clinic in West Hartford. March 13, 2024. Courtesy photo
On the Court Basketball Academy clinic in West Hartford. March 13, 2024. Courtesy photo
On the Court Basketball Academy clinic in West Hartford. March 13, 2024. Courtesy photo
On the Court Basketball Academy clinic in West Hartford. March 13, 2024. Courtesy photo
On the Court Basketball Academy clinic in West Hartford. March 13, 2024. Courtesy photo
On the Court Basketball Academy clinic in West Hartford. March 13, 2024. Courtesy photo
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Not sure where this should go. However, a comment on breaking Bill Dunn’s record from many decades ago. (Actually good to see a new record holder after so many years.) I was in Billy Dunn’s class at Conard. At that time Conard had 3 grades. 10-12. Junior high’s were common, 7-9. Billy went to Conard from King Philip Jr High. I was from Talcott Jr High. Apparently, King Philip still there, Talcott long gone. Billy was recognized early on as an outstanding player, 6’5″ – 6’7″ in height. He was written up in a supplement to the Sunday newspaper (Courant?) in 1961, I believe, as an outstanding player. He was a very smooth player. We joked that he sometimes appeared to be sleeping, meanwhile scoring over 20 points and garnering many rebounds and setting up other players. That was long before 3 point shooting so I can’t tell if his outside shots were 3 or 2 point (yes! for a big man) but he did hit often from the corner baseline. The team did fairly well his junior year. Unfortunately during the summer prior to the highly anticipated senior year he went with some friends to an American Legion baseball game, maybe in Mass or Vermont. On the way home he was in a car crash. This was before shoulder harnesses and seat belts were mandated. He was the only death in his car. So certainly brought back memories.