Mystics  Youth  Summer  Basketball  Camp    

Oakland  Terrace  Elementary  

By  Alexis  Glears  

The  Washington  Mystics  kicked  off  the  first  day  of  summer  with  the  Mystics  Youth  Basketball  Camp.    The  first  session  was  held  at  Oakland  Terrace  Elementary  School  in  Silver  Spring,  Md.    

17  campers  with  ages  ranging  from  5-­‐16  years  old  started  the  first  day  of  camp  on  June  21st.  Campers  were  divided  into  groups  by  their  ages  and  were  given  drills  that  complimented  their  experience  and  skill  in  basketball.  

Former  University  of  Maryland,  Georgetown,  and  George  Mason  coach,  Christy  Winters-­‐Scott,  and  a  former  Loyola  College  basketball  star  Jill  Glessner,  coached  the  campers  as  they  learned  different  drills  that  they  could  practice  over  the  summer.      

Jada  Louis  watched  her  daughter,  Caroline,  as  she  warmed  up  on  the  court.  “The  Mystics  are  good  team.  They  are  an  inspiring,  strong,  female  team  that  she  can  look  up  to  as  role  models,”  said  Louis.  

Mystics  players,  Monique  Currie  and  Crystal  Langhorne  helped  campers  on  the  first  day  with  passing,  ball-­‐handling,  shooting,  rebounding  and  other  drills.    

“Kids  need  to  be  active  during  the  summer.  The  Mystics  Youth  Basketball  Camps  are  a  good  way  for  them  to  get  up  and  move  while  continuing  to  improve  their  basketball  skills.”  said  Langhorne.  

Langhorne  and  Currie  also  had  a  chance  to  sit  down  with  the  campers  for  a  Question  and  Answer  session  before  taking  a  group  photograph  and  signing  autographs.  

Inova  Health  Systems  will  sponsor  the  one  week-­‐long  camps  over  the  next  couple  months.  Rebecca  Hilman  represented  Inova  at  the  clinic  on  Monday.    

“Inova  is  invested  in  the  health  and  wellness  of  our  community,”  said  HIlman.  “We  are  pleased  to  partner  with  the  Mystics  with  the  camps  to  help  with  the  epidemic  of  childhood  obesity.  These  camps  are  a  great  way  to  get  kids  moving  during  the  summer.”  

On  the  last  day  of  camp,  campers  will  have  a  chance  to  play  in  a  culminating  championship  game.  The  campers  will  receive  a  Mystics  Camps  and  Clinics  t-­‐shirt,  a  complimentary  ticket  to  a  Mystics  home  game,  a  drawstring  backpack,  and  a  raffle  ticket  for  an  official  WNBA  basketball  signed  by  all  of  the  Mystics  players.    

The  next  Mystics  Youth  Summer  Basketball  Camp  will  be  held  6/28-­‐7/2  at  McLean  School  of  Maryland.  For  more  information  about  the  camps  or  to  register,  please  contact  David  Deal  at  (202)  527-­‐7503  or  visit  www.WashingtonMystics.com/Camps.