Hurricanes benefit from New York basketball camp

Five of Team Hurricane Basketball Programme’s most promising players have returned home from famed coach Jim Boeheim’s Basketball camp at Syracuse University, New York.

Bermuda student-athletes, Zachary Johnson, Mykal Glasgow, Kumari Tannock, Jorel Smith and Jacy Lowery were put through their paces as they continued their basketball education.

Team Hurricane founder and head coach Doug Reed is a graduate of the University. “I loved reliving my college experience through the boys, watching them walk along the same paths I did across campus and seeing them adjust to life in the dorm,” he said in a press release.

“It was just enjoyable overall watching them get a small taste of college life.  The boys had the opportunity to play competitive basketball in one of college basketball’s top venues — the Carrier Dome, although not in front of 30,000 fans.”

Tannock added: “To see the Dome was one thing but to play in the Dome was another. The quality of the facilities, the bright lights that shone above you, Syracuse Orange everywhere. The intense competition against some of the best players in our age bracket, this is an experience that I will never forget.”

Boeheim is currently second on the wins list of Men’s NCAA Division I coaches with 948. And he spoke to the group to offer encourgement and emphazise the need for a strong work ethic.

Lowery said: “The speech was very motivating.  He said that no matter how hard you are training, there is somebody else out there who is training harder.”

Zachary Johnson added: “This means you have to really work hard!”

The Syracuse University trip was Team Hurricane’s first overseas basketball experience — and Reed believes this will hugely benefit the group.

“This week’s camp experience showed me how the sport of basketball has grown in Bermuda.

“All of our boys played very well and showed that they possess the skill and ability to compete at this level and with players from the United States and beyond. Out of the 600 campers, our very own Kumari Tannock was selected as an Allstar in the NCAA Division. 

“Our programme’s next step is to have our players add an amount of aggressiveness to match their skill level. 

“Our players are by no means passive, nor do they back down. In fact our boys, as a reflective of the Team Hurricane Basketball Program, are extremely competitive and play spirited basketball.  

“However, there are times when they do defer to others on the offensive side of the ball.  But basketball is an intense and aggressive game and, therefore, I want my players to always be on the attack and have confidence in their ability to score the ball.”