THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, April 14, 1995 TAG: 9504120125
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 22 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JULIE GOODRICH, CLIPPER SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Medium: 60 lines
WHEN IT CAME TIME for youth basketball players to gather at the South Norfolk Community Center, there wasn't a boy to be found.
For the first time in recent memory, the Chesapeake Parks & Recreation Department hosted a clinic that was open to girls only, featuring the coaches and players of the Old Dominion Lady Monarchs.
Twenty-eight girls showed up Saturday for a morning filled with ball-handling drills and other instruction from ODU head coach Wendy Larry, assistant Allison Greene, and eight of their players.
``We love to get out and interact with kids,'' said Larry. ``This is invaluable for them.''
The girls were divided into groups of 3 and 4 players for more hands-on instruction. They were shown dribbling skills, went through shooting drills, and generally soaked up the knowledge of the Lady Monarchs as best they could.
``They look so much taller here than when we've seen them play'' at ODU, said Kristy Phipps, 10. Phipps and several of her South Norfolk Tigers teammates, who went 10-0 during the regular season, attended the clinic.
``It was cool,'' said Danielle Benton, 10.
Even the parents were impressed.
``I'm pleasantly surprised with how personable the coach is. She's great,'' said Richard Westphal, whose daughters Courtney, 10, and Amber, 8, attended. ``When they heard about a clinic with the Lady Monarchs, they were real excited.
``They gave up cartoons for this.''
At the end of the clinic, Larry gathered the girls around her and spoke of the need to go to school, do their homework, and stay out of trouble.
``You're all winners just for trying,'' she said.
The clinic was such a success that another is in the works for November.
For interested players, the Lady Monarchs are holding two basketball camps this summer - a day camp runs June 26-30, and a resident/communter camp runs August 6-10. For more information, contact the ODU Women's Basketball Office at 683-3401, or the Camp Office at 683-4358. ILLUSTRATION: Photos by PETER D. SUNDBERG
Twenty-eight girls showed up Saturday at South Norfolk Community
Center for a clinic on shooting, rebounding and ball-handling. Amber
Westphal, right, tests her shooting eye.
ODU sophomore center Clarisse Machanguana shows Kelly Baker, 10, the
proper way to dribble - without looking at the ball.
Ticha Penicheiro, a sophomore guard, givesball-handlingtips to
Claire Hansen, 10.
Amber Eller, a freshman guard, shows Amber Westphal, 8, defensive
techniques.
by CNB