HoopzSummer Update!

HoopKidz/HoopElite Family-

Summer Basketball is in session at HoopKidz/HoopElite! Special Thanks to all of our first session HoopKidz Summer Basketball Camp session Campers and 1st HoopElite Shooting Camp participants. We had a great group of kids who came in for the those sessions and worked especially hard at improving their skills. Hats off to all of Camp Partners- the Bowie Gymnasium staff, Panera Bread, Papa Johns, Nike, JDS Awards & Trophies, the Washington Wizards and City Wide Promotions (Reggie Diggs)... Up next, our HoopElite Defensive Basketball Camp(7/18) , the 2nd session of our HoopElite Shooting Camp (7/17 in Silver Spring) and the HoopElite All-Girls Skills Camp (7/25).

The 2nd session of HoopKidz Summer Basketball Camp commences on July 27th. Not registered? There are still some spaces available. Register in a hurry to get one of the last remaining spaces for this great teaching Camp. Both Boys & Girls, ages 3 to 13 are exposed to one of the best basketball learning environments in the Washington Metropolitan area... Parents, don't forget to redeem your Free Wizards ticket for each of your kids who attends one of our camps this Summer. E-mail or call us for follow-up information... Up top a couple of pics from HoopKidz Summer Basketball Camp I... Top Left, Camper Alex Pagan picks up his Mr. HoopKidz award for his efforts last week. Top Right, Director Aaron Hutchinson and his team pose after a win and Bottom Left, some of our Outstanding Girl campers from the 1st session-Kiana Rusdan, Brianna & Tori Stanley, Jillian Walker, Jessika Norell, and Kaitlyn Parks...

HoopKidz/HoopElite News-

In our Thoughts and Prayers this blog, Russ Minus (Bronx, NY), Ed Meyers, Ms. Diana Gaither, Charlotte & Robert Robinson, Mr. Cole, Samuel Yette, Yvonne & Justin Ellis, The Burnette Family, and the Family of Joyce DuBose... It doesn't seem possible that Michael Jackson has passed. Greatest single Entertainer of my lifetime- RIP... Congrats to Michael Adams, former pro and now new Head Coach at Archbishop Carroll, Washington, D.C... Rick Mahorn, Hampton Alum takes over Head Coach duties for WNBA Detroit franchise this Summer... Darryl Brooks, GWU Asst. takes over as Men's Head Coach at Bowie State... Ed(ward) Joyner takes over as men's Head Coach at Hampton University... Diane Richardson returns as Head Women's Coach at Riverdale Baptist after successful stints as Asst. at AU and U of MD... David Adkins, one of our favorite Camp lecturers leaves DeMatha to go to Asst. position at U of MD Womens. Congrats, Dave...We had a great 1st Camp last week. Some of our Oustanding efforts by Campers included Group 1; Nicholas Deve, Jr.-Outstanding Player Bruce Black- Mr. HoopKidz, Victoria Weaver-Ms. HoopKidz, Devin Harper-Mr. HardWork, Jaxon Monell- Best Defensive Player Group 2; Dennis Kirkland-Outstanding Player, Alex Garrido Pagan- Mr. HoopKidz, Kaitlyn Parks-Ms. HoopKidz, Dylan Muffley- Mr. HardWork, Best Defensive Player- Peter Snipes, Jr. Group 3- Jalen Niles-Outstanding Player, Aaron Lowe- Mr. HoopKidz, Danielle Powell-Ms. HoopKidz, Jacob Walker-Mr. HardWork, Tori Stanley-Ms. HardWork, Best Defensive Player- Marcus Foo Group 4- Jordan Lamberth-Outstanding Player, Ahmad Clark- Mr. HoopKidz, Kiana Rushdan-Ms. HoopKidz, Melvin Hudson-Mr. HardWork, Jala McClan-Ms. HardWork, and Justin Carter-Best Defensive Player. Congrats to you all!...Looking for advanced Basketball skill and /or enhanced athelic performance training (Speed, Agility, Conditioning, & Plyometric), contact us at info@hoopkidz.com or 1-888-HOOPKIZ(466-7549), ext. 701 for details... Final Thought- Remind Yourself that Life Isn't your Enemy, But Your Thinking May Be.... HoopKidz/HoopElite Basketball uses Nike Basketballs and Equipment exclusively... HoopKidz/HoopElite Basketball P.O. Box 1539 Bowie, MD 20717-1539 1-888-HOOPKIZ(466-7549), ext. 701 for a Coach or Director

Count Down to HoopKidz/HoopElite Summer Basketball!

Help Someone Else Succeed- Richard Parson, Ph.D

HoopKidz/HoopElite Family-

We're counting down to what promises to be a great Summer! Are you ready? We sure hope so because we've planned a full Summer slate of Basketball, learning and fun! Just days away from our 1st Summer offering, the first session of HoopKidz Summer Basketball Camp begins on June 22nd. If you haven't registered, there are just a few days and limited spaces available. HoopKidz Boys & Girls, Ages 3 to 13 will be on hand for our 9th and best Summer Basketball Camps yet! ... Why our Summer Camps are so important to us- Some of my best held memories are my Summer Basketball Camp experiences. Not only what I learned, but the friendships I developed, many of which continue today. The passion that I developed for Basketball then, I've extended to the HoopKidz and HoopElite Camps. Learning and teaching Basketball is the foundation of our program. It's are only ulterior motive... Every Camp attendee this summer receives a free ticket ($48 value) to a Washington Wizards game this coming Basketball season courtesy of the Washington Wizards. Additional tickets for Family and friends can be purchased for just $20.00 each. Another value added benefit for all of our HoopKidz/HoopElite families... The 1st HoopElite Shooting Camp will be held Saturday, June 27th at the City Of Bowie Gymnasium. Designed to improve the Shooting and Offensive Skills of both Boys & Girls, ages 7 to 17, the HE Shooting Camp is one of our most popular Summer Camp offerings. Teaching Directors include Dale Lambreth(Thomas Stone), Mark Edwards(DeMatha), David Adkins(DeMatha), Steve Turner(Gonzaga), and Brian Magid(Paint Branch)... The HoopElite Defensive Basketball Camp on Saturday, July 18th is offered to all players looking to develop their Defensive Basketball skills individually and learn team defensive Concepts... The HoopElite All-Girls Skills Camp(July 25th) is our one-day, intense Basketball experience for young ladies giving them an opportunity to work with some of the area's top Women Coaches including Ayanna Ball Ward(Largo), Hank Lloyd(Riverdale Baptist), and Michael Hines(Bowie)... Congrats to all of our HoopKidz & HoopElite graduates for the 2008-09 school year. It's always great to hear about our kid's academic success and accomplishments of the court...

HoopKidz/HoopElite News-

In our Prayers and Thoughts, Russell(Russ) Minus (Hampton University) of Bronx, NY, Coach Ed Meyers, Ms. Diana Gaither, Charlotte and Robert Robinson... Special Thanks to all of our new partners; Robert Gordon of AT&T Advertisng, Brett McCullough, TurnHere, Inc., Michael Mellor, Athletic Republic and Joshua Shiffman, Washington Wizards... Also Special Thanks to Jeanne Johnson and Jennifer Brady at the National Center for Summer Learning at John Hopkins for all their help and resources... The sincerest form of flattery- we've been getting calls from many of our Parents and hearing rumblings from our friends that other Basketball groups and Coaches have been 'selling' that they're 'just as good' as the HoopKidz /HoopElite program. We've noticed that many of them are attempting to copy and duplicate our programs. I'll continue to announce, we are not in competition with other basketball programs. We applaud them all for their work in helping young people become better players. If your program or organization is good, that doesn't have anything to do with HoopKidz/HoopElite. But, Thanks for the compliment anyway! It means we've been doing something that's made a difference for 13 years... In the Bowie Gym getting ready for the NBA Draft, Ty Lawson (UNC), Jeff Allen (VA Tech), and HoopKidz Summer Camp Counselor, Dwayne Anderson(Villanova)... Congrats to Quinn Cook(DeMatha, Bowie, MD) for being named to the USA 18 & Under National Team this summer...College and HS players training with HoopElite this Summer representing Lincoln University, Hampton University, Villanova, VCU, Clemson, DeMatha, Bowie, Thomas Stone, Westlake, E. Roosevelt, PGCC, Laurel, Paul VI, McNamara, VA Wesleyn, and Bowie State... Need advanced Basketball skill and/or enhanced athletic performance training(Speed, Agility, Conditioning, Plyometric), contact the Director by e-mail at info@hoopkidz.com or 1-888-HOOPKIZ(466-7549), ext. 701 for details... Final Thought- Consider that Wisdom May Be Even More Important than IQ... HoopKidz/HoopElite Basketball uses Nike Basketballs and Equipment exclusively... HoopKidz/HoopElite Basketball P.O. Box 1539 Bowie, MD 20717-1539 1-888-HOOPKIZ(466-7549), ext. 701 for a Coach or Director...

HoopKidz/HoopElite & Wizards Summer Line-Ups!

The Best Time Of Day Is Now...

HoopKidz/HoopElite Family-

The '09 calendar has just been a whirlwind so far of Basketball, learning, and fun! We've finished up our HoopKidz Instructional sessions in Owings Mills(Baltimore) and Silver Spring for the school year with a great group of kids. And we've just completed our last week of a great Spring League in Bowie. Thanks to all of our new HoopKidz and long-standing families for your involvement in helping us continue to grow our Instructional programs... We held our first HoopElite Senior Open Showcase on 4/22 for some of the area's Best High School Seniors still uncommitted to Colleges for Basketball. 30 Top HS area Boys worked out and performed in front of College, Junior College, and Prep School Coaches (list in news below). Thanks to all who supported our effort to connect these young men with opportunites to continue their Educational careers with Basketball scholarships. Special Thanks to Staff, Bob Batten (BSU), Dale Lambreth(Thomas Stone), and Mark Edwards(DeMatha) for their contribution to the Showcase... Haven't registered for our Summer Basketball Camps yet? Well, you've still got a couple of days to take advantage of discount Camp pricing until the they return to our regular pricing. Remember, our Camps typically sell out early and we won't be adding additional sessions this Summer. Go to www.hoopkidz.com and register today to reserve your kid's place in one of our great Summer offerings!... The Washington Wizards and HoopKidz Summer Basketball Camps are getting together to offer a Free ticket to every kid who registers for any HoopKidz/HoopElite Summer Basketball Camp. The ticket valued at $48.00 is for a Wizards Home game (3 game choices!) in the 2009/10 season. Additional tickets for the family or friends can be purchased for just $20! This is great opportunity to experience NBA action next season for a great value. Register to take advantage of this offer today!... Our Summer Basketball Camps are drawing great interest and we're getting commitments for visits/teaching sessions from some top College Coaches and NBA players... See the article posted to the HoopKidz website on 5/4 about Summer Instructional Camps. Worth the read... Up top, our feature photos on Left include HoopKidz from our Silver Spring session- Chris Whitney, Jaelyn & Quianna Blanc, and Xavier Blackmon showing and top Right, Christopher Donalds finishing a Jumpshot in Bowie (Click on Pictures for larger view)...

HoopKidz/HoopElite News-

In our thoughts and Prayers this blog, Mrs. Tomicia Jones and family, Aunt Charlotte & Robert Robinson, Adia Stribling (Broken ankle), Ms. Diana Gaither, Brian Moody, Bobbette Bland, Sy Lerner and Brian Beard...Our HoopSelect MD team has begun practicing for our Spring/Summer season. Team Members include: Mason Moses, Derrick Hinton, Jacsen White, Garvan Vines, Eric & Melvyn Towns, Amari Jones, Kenneth & Cameron Edwards, Jonathan & Joshua Tabler,Kennedy Birdwell, Derrick Anthony Jr., Jayson Brown, Farama Bangura, and Mitchell Johnson... HoopElite Skill Training is in full swing this month. We've just added additional athletic training to include speed & agility skill work, plyometrics, vertical training in conjunction with Athletic Republic. Call or e-mail us for more details... The Roster for HoopElite Senior Open Showcase on 4/22 included Anthony Acty (Jericho), Brandon Baylor (Mt. Carmel), Brenden Bazilio (McNamara), Rashaad Brown (Flowers), Anthony Butler(Annapolis), Kevin Butler(Parkdale), Julian Garcia(Surrattsville), Ahmad George(Carroll), Nate Goldsmith(Bowie), Edward Hall(Paint Branch), NiiArmah Harper (McKinley Tech), Abdou Jobe (Paint Branch),Bryan Johnson(Laurel), Maurice Mason (Westlake), Trevor McDade(Bowie), Marcus McKoy(Douglass), Cameron Moore (Lanham Christian), Tony Mosely(Bowie), Pernell Murray(Douglass), Carl Parker(DeMatha), Garrett Putnam (McKinley Tech), Kenneth Settle (Atholton), Avy Smith(DeMatha),Christopher Smith (DuVall), David Thompson(Carroll), Aaron Walsh(Jerico), Charles Wilson(Blake), George Solomon (B-CC) and Harrison York (McKinley Tech)... Aaron Hutchinson, HoopKidz Summer Counselor joins HoopSelect MD as Coach. A Bowie State University Grad & former player worked as an Intern w/HoopKidz for 3 years... Final Thought- 'Don't Quit after a Victory!'... * HoopKidz/HoopElite uses Nike Basketballs and equipment exclusively* HoopKidz Basketball P.O. Box 1539 Bowie, MD 20717-1539 1-888-HOOPKIZ(466-7549), ext. 701... On the web, www.hoopkidz.com E-Mail us at info@hoopkidz.com

'09 Spring Into Summer HoopKidz/HoopElite

HoopKidz/HoopElite Family-

It's been awhile since we've blogged, but we've been busy with the arrival of the Spring Basketball and our exciting Summer basketball calendar! Thanks to all concerned for a great January thru March of Instructional Basketball sessions. Owings Mills(Baltimore), Silver Spring, and Bowie sessions were filled with great kids working hard on their skill levels. Special Thanks to all our Parents for their help and involvement... Going on now- Our HoopKidz Saturday Instructional League in Bowie... Up next our last Instructional session of this School year in Bowie begins Thursday, April 9th. Don't forget to sign up for this last session before Summer! ... Great response so far to what's going to be our most exciting Summer Camp line-up yet! Our two big HoopKidz Summer Basketball Camps for Boys & Girls, Ages 3 to 13 will be held on June 22nd and July 27th. Appearance and speaking commitments are still coming in! Recent commitments from Gonzaga High's Steve Turner and DeMatha's David Adkins, plus Camp favorites Robert 'Bobby' Kinzer and Nike BrandJordan's Steve Riggins ... Register for these camps today and you're still eligible for a discount. Our regular Camp price will be in effect soon! Our Skill Specialty Camps are filling fast as well. HoopElite Shooting Camp(2 locations), HoopElite Post Play/Guard Camp, the HoopElite Defensive Basketball Camp and our HoopElite All-Girls Skill Camp are all available to register for now on line and fill up well in advance... Next week, our Blog about 'What to Look for in a Summer Camp' ... Up Top Left our Feature Photo, Director Dennis Kirkland and his HoopKidz charges in our March Owings Mills sessions and on the Right HoopKidz Group 1 from Bowie in March '09!...

HoopKidz/HoopElite News-

Congrats to HoopKidz Summer Basketball Camp Counselor, Dwayne Anderson(St. John's) and his Villanova Wildcats on this year's Final Four appearance. Dwayne's local teammates include Dante Cunningham(St.John's/Potomac) and Maurice Sutton (Largo)... We're holding our first DC/MD/VA HS Seniors Showcase on Wednesday, April 22nd. This event is for graduating Seniors still seeking College Basketball playing scholarships and opportunities... The City of Bowie Gymnasium will hold a Basketball Fundrasier for HoopKidz Summer Basketball Camp Counselor, Leon Willis on Friday, April 3rd, 2009 at 6PM. Willis, who graduates from Virginia State University in May, was an All-CIAA performer this season. The benefit is to help fund Leon's tour of Europe this Summer with the all CIAA Basketball team... Special thanks to HoopKidz Director Bob Batten and Bowie State University for allowing us to work with the visiting Russian Basketball team on a State Department tour which included a visit to a Wizards game, the Indiana Final 8 site, and a game vs. the Indiana State HS Basketball Champion... Post season HoopElite Basketball Skill training has already begun! Call the office at 1-888-HOOPKIZ(466-7549), ext. 701 for times and schedules... Final Thought- 'Fear and Worry are interest paid in advance on something you may never own'... *HoopKidz/HoopElite uses Nike Basketballs and equipment exclusively* HoopKidz/HoopElite P.O. Box 1539 Bowie, MD 20717-1539 1-888-HOOPKIZ(466-7549) Ext. 701 will get you to a Coach or Director www.hoopkidz.com E-mail us at info@hoopkidz.com...

HoopKidz/HoopElite Early Summer Camp News!

You Miss 100% of the shots that you don't take ... Joe Ledbetter, HS Basketball Coach

* Schedule Change (March 5th, 2009)- Our HoopKidz Spring Saturday Instructional League start date has been changed to begin March 14th at 9:00 AM at the City Of Bowie Gymnasium, Bowie instead of March 7th. The League will run thru Saturday, April 18th. Sorry for any scheduling inconvenience.*

HoopKidz & HoopElite Family

It's February already and our Summer and Specialty Camps are right around the corner. I know the weather doesn't allow us much time to think about Summer, family vacations, and the kid's being out of school. But, it'll be here sooner than you can we think! Don't forget to register for one or more of our great Camp & Skill Camp offerings before it's too late. Early Discount rates end at Midnight on February 15th! Our Camp rates will revert to their 2009 prices. Register early and save 20%. Our HoopKidz & HoopElite Skill Camp offerings are still the best basketball skill training values in the Washington Metropolitan Area. Register now at the website, http://www.hoopkidz.com/ and we'll see you this Summer!... Our HoopKidz Instructional session set to begin on February 9th at Takoma Park Middle School in Silver Spring, MD will now begin on Monday, February 23rd at 6 PM and run for six weeks... We're getting lots of registrations for our upcoming HoopKidz Instructional Saturday League set to start March 7th. Boys and Girls, Ages 3 to 13 are welcome for our 3rd year of instruction and competitive league play. There's still space available. In addition to the teaching aspect and league play, we're bringing in a some of the top area High School Coaches to speak as well... Feature Pictures this blog edition include Bottom Left, Group1 HoopKidz from our current Bowie session posing for the camera at the end of a session. Top Center, members of New Hope Academy Varsity program, and Top Right, Zoe Dickerson & Director David Dickerson on their way to the next HoopKidz session...

HoopKidz & HoopElite News-

In our thoughts and Prayers this month, Ms. Diana Gaither, Mother of Coach Guy Nelson, Aunt Charlotte Robinson, Cousins Sid Hill and Robert Robinson, Renee Palmer & Family and Sheila Dowell...Congrats to Adia and Vern Stribling on birth of their first child... Birthday Wishes to one our favorite HoopKidz Mitchell Johnson and Owings Mills HoopKidz Vanguard Minter... Season updates on our all of HoopKidz, HoopElite trainees, Summer Camp Counselors and Coaches in next HoopKidz/HoopElite News... New Hope Academy Boys & Girls Varsity competes in GMACC Tournament Championship, March 14... Final Thought "If you pay attention to the grandstands...it won't be long before you join them"- Anonymous

*HoopKidz/HoopElite uses Nike Basketballs & Equipment exclusively* HoopKidz/HoopElite Basketball P.O. Box 1539 Bowie, MD 20717-1539. Call us 1-888-HOOPKIZ(466-7549) Dial extension 701 for a Director or Coach. Visit our website at http://www.hoopkidz.com/ and e-mail us at info@hoopkidz.com

2009 HoopKidz/HoopElite Inaugural News!

* The HoopKidz Instructional session set to begin February 9th @ Takoma Prk Middle School- Silver Spring, MD will now start on Monday, February 23rd, '09 at Takoma Park Middle School due to a school schedule change...

Not only is there more to life than basketball, there's a lot more to basketball
than basketball- Phil Jackson

HoopKidz & HoopElite Family-

It's a great time for the Washington Area with the celebration of the Inauguration of our new President. Our children are witness to historic and exciting times... We're half way through the our 1st month of the new year and we couldn't be more excited about 2009 HoopKidz/HoopElite events. New Instructional sessions began in Bowie and Owings Mills the first week of January. Silver Spring Instructional sessions will now begin February 9th and all of our Summer Camp and Specialty Skill Camps are currently registering. Go to http://www.hoopkidz.com/ for all of our Camp information. This Summer(our 9th), our HoopKidz and HoopElite Camp offerings are bigger, better, and more comprehensive. You can register now for any of our Camps & Specialty Skill Camps and save 20% before February 15th with our version of a "Stimulus program". Camp prices will revert on 2/15 and no further discounts will be offered this year. Register early to reserve your space!... The HoopKidz Spring Instructional Basketball League will run on Saturdays beginning March 7th in Bowie. Registration is available now. The League sessions are for 6 weeks and run from 9AM to 11:30AM. For Boys and Girls, ages 3 to 13, both Instructional and team competitive play are emphasized. Register early for past participant and HoopKidz family discounts.

HoopKidz & HoopElite News

Still in our thoughts and Prayers, the family and friends of Gerald Moore, a HoopKidz Summer Director and Northwestern High Coach... Renee Palmer and family on the with of their Father, Augustus 'Gus' Palmer...Medaris Banks and family...Shelley Rawlings and Kilpatrick Family with of their Father... Ron Payton and Family...Sheila Dow recovering from illness... New Hope Academy (Lanham) Boys & Girls Varsity teams are making great progress this season. The Girls Varsity posted their 1st victory last week versus Mt. Oak and the Boys program had two one-point losses last week versus Mt. Oak and Wash. United Christian...Strong seasons being turned in by HoopElite trainees Maurice Mason(Westlake), David Abrahamson (Eleanor Roosevelt), Jared Carithers, Alex Rodriquez, and Temi Shonibare (Bowie High). HoopKidz Summer Camp Counselors playing well include Jarrell Nelson(Widener), Corey Camphor (Bowie State), Leon Willis(VA State Univ.), Darren Clark (Lincoln Univ.), and Nat Flowers (Univ. of Montevallo, AL)... Congrats to friend of the program, Alonzo Mourning for his great career basketball career and his even more impressive contribution to the Miami community...

Practice for the upcoming Spring and Summer AAU/YBOA season begins for HoopSelect MD, our youth select teams on March 8th. Tournament play and travel are involved. A 9 and under and 12 and under Boys team will be fielded this season. A 12 and under Girls program will be also begin this year. Advanced age-level players are chosen to be involved in this program... Our successful HoopElite Skills Training, our instructional skill and development program, will also begin in March after Basketball season. Detailed information is at the website now. ..Final thoughts-"Ask yourself what have I contributed to this problem"?...

*HoopKidz/HoopElite uses Nike Basketballs & equipment exclusively* HoopKidz/HoopElite Basketball P.O. Box 1539 Bowie, MD 20717-1539 Call us 1-888-HOOPKIZ(466-7549) Dial extension 701 for a Director or Coach. Visit our website at www.hoopkidz.com and e-mail us at info@hoopkidz.com

HoopKidz '09 New Year Predictions!

HoopKidz/HoopElite Family-

Happy New Year to you all! I know that you all have great plans for 2009 and HoopKidz /HoopElite wishes the best to all of your Families, children, and friends. We get a fast start to the new year with our Instructional Basketball programs beginning on Wednesday, January 7th in Bowie and Saturday, January 10th in Ownings Mills/Baltimore at New Town Elementary, Owings Mills. If you haven't registered, do it today at the website, hoopkidz.com...

Holiday HoopKidz GiveAway winners announced on the front page of the HoopKidz website, check to see if you're among the winners. Thanks to everyone who participated!... The HoopElite training program has not been added to the website yet! Check back on January 8th. We're still adding some training sites and additional services. We expect to have a large expansion of this program in 2009... Also, our HoopSelect (AAU) program begins practice for the upcoming season in February '09... Many Thanks for all the Holiday well wishes, texts, and phone calls over the Holidays...

HoopKidz/HoopElite News-

Look for a full blog this week with our HoopKidz/HoopElite predictions for '09, new programs and updates on our Coaches, kids, and Video (that's right video!)... In our New Year's thoughts and Prayers, the family of former HoopKidz and Northwestern Coach, Gerald Moore, Medaris Banks and family, Joe Holston and family, cousin Sidney Hill, Samuel Yette and Ms. Diana Gaither... Look out for this week's full blog coming via e-mail with all 2009 HoopKidz/HoopElite updates ! HoopKidz/HoopElite P.O. Box 1539 Bowie, MD 20717-1539 E-Mail info@hoopkidz.com Website www.hoopkidz.com Call us at 1-888-HOOPKIZ(466-7549), ext. 701 HoopKidz/HoopElite uses Nike Basketballs and Equipment exclusively*. Final thought-"Sports does not build character. They reveal it" - John Wooden