As the school year comes to a close, don't forget that camp season is about to heat up!Don't miss out on these opportunities offered by the Liberty Men's Basketball Program this summer!If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact one of the Blue Jay Coaches by email, or call, 816.736.6836

SHOOTING CAMP Grades 6-7, May 24-27 @ LHS, 5:30pm-7:00pm

This will be the 6th year for the Blue Jay shooting camp and it continues to improve each year. The focus of these 6 hours of shooting is individual attention on the fundamentals of shooting. During the camp, shooters will be taught: proper fundamentals, the breakdown of the shot, how to get open, how to learn from their own shot and teach themselves, how to grade a shot. They will also have their shot analyzed (written form by a HS coach), have their shot videotaped (Day 1 and Day 4) and be sent a DVD of them shooting, and be taught how to practice shooting correctly in order to be a great shooter. Information learned during camp will be collected in the shooter’s notebook.

POINT GUARD/POST MAN CAMP Grades 6-7, May 24-27 @ LHS, 7:00pm-8:30pm

This is the 4th year of the Point Guard/Post Man Camp. The High School coaching staff is looking forward to teaching specific position skills that are essential for success at the point guard and post man positions. The role of the point guard is one of the most valuable on the team. He is one of the big keys to success. In our camp the point guard will learn: advanced ball handling drills (focused on speed, control and court awareness); passing skills (using each hand with a focus on accuracy and timing); leadership skills (being vocal, gaining respect of your teammates, becoming an extension of your coach); leading the fast break (seeing the floor, using traffic, finding numbers); shooting off the dribble; understanding game situations; feed the post; delay game strategies and how to get to the free-throw line.The post men will learn: post moves (fundamentals of post offense, gaining position, going over both shoulders to shoot); footwork and agility drills; post passing; rebounding and rebounding position techniques (offense and defense); running the floor (finishing on the break, shooting the trail jumper); being a great screener; developing range on the jump shot, how to get to the free throw line; shooting more consistently from the free throw line.Information learned during camp will be collected in their notebook.

SKILL DEVELOPMENT/TEAM CAMPS

Grades K-2 -- June 7-10 -- 9:00am-10:30am -- SVMS

Grades 3-5 -- June 7-10 -- 10:45am-12:15pm -- SVMS

Grades 6-8 -- June 1-3 -- 7:00pm-9:00pm -- LJHS; June 4--8am-10am

These camps offer players a fun, learning environment to improve their skill levels. All aspects of the sport are taught. With the older ages, actual Blue Jay plays, strategies, and philosophies are taught giving the players an advantage going into their next season.

NOTES

· All camps are $40 which make them the best value in the Metro.

· All listed grades are for the 10-11 school year.

· Ways to register: 1. Walk up registration; 2. Through the athletic office at LHS: http://athletics.liberty.k12.mo.us/

Any questions, please contact one of the Blue Jay Coaches!

Off-Season Basketball Information

Junior High Players at South Valley and Liberty Junior High going to Liberty High School:

Check your student email for information about our off-season program. Please return it to Coach Stirtz by the end of the week.

Jack Smith Honored for Lifetime Achievement

Jack was presented the Tom Colwell Lifetime Achievement Award Thursday night at the Independence Events Center for his 44 years of service to Blue Jay athletics. The Greater Kansas City Basketball Coaches Association hosted the banquet. Jack sported a black tux with a blue vest and blue tie from D'Agee on the square. He was the sharpest dressed person the banquet.

Pictured above from left to right: Coach Myrick, Coach McCabe, Coach Stirtz, Coach Jack, Coach Simpson, and Coach Morley.

Congrats Jack...we're proud of you!

Banquet Honors Players and Others

2010 Seniors

Best Dressed Award Winners

The 09-10 boys basketball banquet was held last Wednesday to recognize and honor our seven outstanding seniors. Each player brought a lot to the team this season. They are a talented group, posting a combined average of 3.6 GPA. Their futures are very bright.

Also, acknowledged was program assistant, Jack Smith, who will be awarded the Tom Colwell Lifetime Achievement Award by the GKCBCA on Thursday night. In addition, Elizabeth Barmann presented a check to the Basketball Program from the proceeds of the Barrett Wepler basketball tournament. Julie Adams, mother of Jays Eric, Shaun, and Bryan, was credited for her years of service to the program.