LOCAL SPORTS IN BRIEF
BY SPORTS EDITOR MITCH LUCAS
BASKETBALL

KC camps begin next week

Both men's and women's basketball programs at Kilgore College will hold summer skills camps in June for ages 6-17. The boys' camp will run June 2-6, and the girls' will be held June 9-13.

The camps will focus on development of beginning to intermediate basketball skills, ending with a basketball game 11:30 a.m. the last day of the camps.

Cost for the boys' camp is $120 and $100 for the girls. A $50 deposit is required to hold a spot in the girls camp, and $60 for the boys. The full balance is due 8:30 a.m. on the first morning of the camps. Both camps will be run by Lady Rangers' assistant coach Brad Tindel and men's assistant coach Kenderick Franklin. Roy Thomas, head coach of the Lady Rangers, will also assist with the girls camp.

Camps will run 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 9 a.m. to noon on Friday. Campers will receive a camp T-shirt, a KC basketball, awards and daily lunch. Registration will take place 8:30 a.m. on the first day of both camps.

Application forms and more information are available on both men's and women's basketball Web pages on kilgore.edu. For more information, contact Tindel at (903) 983-8691.

BASEBALL

Camp at West Rusk June 9-12

There will be a baseball camp for boys ages fourth grade through ninth grade at West Rusk High School in New London, beginning Monday, June 9 and running through Thursday, June 12.

Boys ages fourth through sixth grade will have camp in the morning session on those days (from 8:30 a.m. until 11 a.m.) and seventh through ninth graders will camp from noon until 2:30 each day.

The registration fee is $25 per student, $40 for two siblings and $55 for three. Each camper will receive instruction in fundamentals. There will be registration beginning at 8 a.m. on the first day.

For more information, call WRHS head baseball coach David Sheppard at (903) 445-1196.

SOFTBALL

Softball camp at WRHS, too

There will also be a softball camp held at West Rusk High School June 9 through 12, for girls ages fourth through ninth grades.

The camp will be held at New London's little league field. It's $25 per student, $40 for two sisters and $55 for three. The camp will be held from 8:30 a.m. until noon each day.

Registration will be held beginning at 8 a.m. on the first day of camp. The campers will be instructed by WRHS soft- ball coach Johnny Hammontree.

SOCCER

Camp here June 9-13

The annual Kilgore-East Texas Soccer Camp will be held June 9 through June 13 at the soccer practice field beside the tennis courts at Kilgore High School on Longview Street.

KHS head boys coach Kris Duplissey will be the lead instructor for the camp, with help from current players and alumni. The camp is for boys and girls ages kindergarten through eighth grade.

Cost of the camp is $50 per player, with a discount for families registering more than one player. After the first child, each additional player is $40. Along with that fee comes a camp T-shirt and Gatorade.

Camp will be held from 8:30 p.m. until 11 a.m. each day, and players should bring a soccer ball, shin guards and soccer shoes.

For more information, call Duplissey at (903) 985-0097. Anyone who plans on attending the camp is asked to call that number to RSVP.

TENNIS

Camp begins June 16

Kilgore High School tennis coach Jason Maroney will host a summer tennis clinic (and not just for students) running from June 16 through June 20. Children 10 and under have just a $5 entry fee (and they get a Tshirt). For players 11 and older, the clinic has a $40 fee, which also includes a T-shirt. Registration forms are available at the KHS athletic department office, located behind the tennis courts and tennis building on Longview Street.

FOOTBALL

KC camp June 9-13

For youngsters with dreams of playing competitive football, the Kilgore College Rangers will host a football skills camp for ages 7-15 from June 9-13. Run by the KC coaching staff, the camp is "non-contact" and participants will be taught the fundamentals of the game and given instruction in all phases of football.

"This is a great opportunity for kids to come out and get a great instruction of the game," said J.J. Eckert, KC's head football coach and camp director. "Last year, we had a great turnout and are hoping for an even better one this year."

Players will be divided into groups according to age and position, allowing individual skills to be taught. Each camper will receive a camp certificate and awards will be given out daily. Emphasis for younger campers is basic skills development and intermediate skills for older campers to prepare them for competition.

"By exposing our campers to proper techniques and skills, we hope to instill a burning desire to become great football players," Eckert said. "And we'll definitely have lots of fun in the process."

Cost is $100 and will include instruction, all-you can eat meals, a souvenir KC football and camp certificate. Camp will run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day and will be held on the KC campus.

To register for the camp, visit www.kilgore.edu/rangerfb.asp and download the camp flyer. Fill out the bottom portion and mail to: Kilgore College c/o J.J. Eckert, 1100 Broadway, Kilgore, TX; 75662. A deposit of $50 is required to reserve a spot and is non-refundable after June 1. The remaining $50 must be paid at time of registration. Registration is from 7 a.m. until 9 a.m. the first day of the camp (June 9) in the Masters Gymnasium lobby. Limited spaces are available.

For more information, call Chris Craddock, KC's sports information coordinator, at (903) 983-8181.