Basketball Players Home From New York
The Team Hurricane Basketball Program has revealed that five of its players have returned home to Bermuda after participating in famed Coach Jim Boeheim’s Basketball Camp.
Bermuda student-athletes Zachary Johnson, Mykal Glasgow, Kumari Tannock, Jorel Smith, and Jacy Lowery attended the camp, held at Syracuse University, in Syracuse, New York, a highly ranked academic institution, from June 28 to July 2.
Team Hurricane Founder and Head Coach Doug Reed, a graduate of Syracuse University, said, “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.
Team Hurricane outside of Syracuse University’s Hall of Languages
“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.”
“To see the Dome was one thing, but to play in the Dome was another,” said Kumari Tannock. “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.”
A spokesperson said, “The camp is led by Hall of Fame coach Jim Boeheim. Coach Boeheim is currently second on the wins list of Men’s NCAA Division I coaches with 948. Coach Boeheim spoke to the campers on the second day and gave them words of encouragement and shared with them the need for a strong work ethic.”
Jacy Lowery noted, “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.”
Team Hurricane at the Carmelo. K. Anthony Basketball Center
Zachary Johnson added, “This means you have to really work hard.”
“The Syracuse University trip was Team Hurricane’s first overseas basketball experience. Coach Reed believes that this camp allowed Hurricane players to test their talents, learn and grow while competing against top notch players in their age group.
He said, “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.”
Mykal Glasgow and Jorel Smith at the Carmelo K. Anthony Basketball Center
“Our program’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 reflection 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.”
“The five young men who attended the camp are a reflection of all the young men involved in the Team Hurricane Basketball Program; they’re talented, hardworking, and committed to the game. Jacy Lowery, Jorel Smith, and Kumari Tannock played in the NCAA Division [13-14-year-olds], while Zachary Johnson and Mykal Glasgow played in the NBA Division [15-18]. Each player came away with something special from his week at the camp.”
Kumari Tannock plays during Blue & Orange Allstar Game
Jacy Lowery said, “I liked that we played basketball from sunrise to sunset and that we were going hard the whole time. My court vision really improved this week and being at this at camp gave me confidence in my ball handling.”
Jorel Smith said, “What I liked about the camp is that everyone got equal amounts of playing time. Being at this camp showed me that when I attack the rim, I can score. The camp made me confident that I can be a scorer.”
Kumari Tannock said, “The thing I enjoyed most about my camp experience was the consistent competition and getting selected as an All-Star for the NCAA Middle School Division of the Camp. One of the vital things I learned was that you have to bring it everyday and that out there it is a very fast paced game and the tempo never slows down.“
Zachary Johnson said, “I got a lot of exposure to how basketball is played outside of Bermuda. The camp taught me that I need to calm down and relax when I take my shots. Overall, I had a lot of fun playing a lot of games in a short amount of time.”
Kumari Tannock and Coach Doug Reed
Mykal Glasgow said, “Going into the camp I expected to improve my skills. My mental game got better and I made better choices on the court. I became a better passer and got a lot of assists. What I liked best is that I got a chance to play all day, which gave me a chance to improve. I would love to go to this camp again.”
Coach Reed said, “This trip demonstrated the Team Hurricane Basketball Program’s strength to provide a platform in which student-athletes can train, develop and reach their academic and athletic potential. I am happy with the way the boys carried themselves all week long, the way they competed and were able to show that basketball, though while still growing, is played at a high level here in Bermuda.”
Kumari Tannock added, “It was a phenomenal experience and I thank our Hurricane program and coach Doug Reed for having this idea and creating this opportunity for the five of us that played in the camp.”
Go Kumari!!! Good job to all of the young men!!! This is the kind of story you want to read about positive young men!!! Keep up the good work guys!!