Dan Fife finished last week’s Fife Basketball Camp impressed with the talent he had seen.
As the Wolves? varsity basketball coach, Fife has seen a lot of talent at previous camps, but this year he noticed the largest amount of freshmen hopefuls since the freshmen class of 1995.
‘I always see eight kids that will keep us at the potential we have always been,? said Fife. ‘I don’t always see 15 kids like the freshmen. They’re really good players, they work hard, they compete hard. Right now they have the potential to be very good.?
Fife said how far they go in the Clarkston program and after high school will depend on the decisions they make while getting older.
‘They still have decision making with girls, decision making with drugs, cars, money, school, all of the decision making kids have to deal with,? he said.
Many of the freshmen players played one last game against their camp coaching staff.
The coaching staff won the game, but for Fife the game was to see the character traits the players playing the game.
‘I look for who backs off, who is not afraid to make a mistake, what they do if they make a mistake.?
The campers were players entering grade 6-9 this fall.
Most of the boys have played on the seventh and eighth grade teams and used the opportunity to work on their skills and play with Clarkston alumni, current varsity players, and the Wolves? coaching staff.
The boys worked on one-on-one moves, passing and pivoting, ball handling and rebounding and shooting jump shots.
‘It’s amazing the quality level of play in our kids. It goes back to what Clarkston is all about,? said Fife. ‘Our parents are involved with their kids. They are getting them to camps. They are good kids, they are great students. This community makes good kids, good students, and good people. It’s a great place to have the opportunity to coach.?
Fife addressed the players on the last day of the camp.
‘Thank you for all of your hard work. Thank your coaches and thank the most important people in your life, your mom and dad. Don’t be afraid to hug them and tell them you love them.?
Fife added it was up to the players to determine their future in anything in life.
‘Nobody’s going to make it unless it comes within. You determine how high you go.?