Campers learn fundamentals at Camp of Champs

ALBANY — There was something about going to basketball camp as a youngster that Lea Henry loved. She wanted to attend as many weeks as she could, so her father made an agreement.

“He’d pay for one week and I’d pay for the other,” Henry said. “I would always save my money so I could go to camp.”

Henry wants younger players to experience the same kind of experiences she had. At the Lea Henry Camp of Champs Monday at Deerfield-Windsor School, more than 110 participants got that opportunity to learn fundamentals, sharpen their skills and have fellowship with players across Southwest Georgia who share a love for basketball.

Monday was the first day of the four-day long camp. Next week, Henry and her staff will hold another camp at Darton State College, which is for boys and girls ages 5-18.

Henry said she used to go to the Norman Carter Basketball School in Cochran.

“I loved it,” she said. “After always going to that, I wanted to provide the same opportunity for younger kids.”

The longtime Darton women’s basketball coach is in her 31st year. She said the thing she likes the most is she’s able to make it a family-affair. Her husband Greg Manning plays a vital role, while her mother Mary Rentz runs the concession stand. Five of her nephews are participating.

In addition, several former players whom Henry said are part of her extended family, help work the stations. Many current and former high school and college coaches volunteer.

Henry said she has been holding camps since 1985, the summer after she played for Team USA and won an Olympic gold medal in Los Angeles playing under the late Pat Summitt.

“We’ve got a lot of former players and coaches here who are good leaders,” she said. “It’s a great staff. Deerfield-Windsor has let us use their gym for the past 20 years. We’ve got a lot of kids who have been coming every year since they were like five years old.”

Campers are taught fundamentals during the morning when they go through 10 different stations. In the afternoon, they divide into teams and compete. On Thursday, the final day, Henry said campers will hold a tournament.

Henry noted there is still opportunities for next week’s camp at Darton.

“It’s still fun,” Henry said of the camps. “Not only is everybody teaching and working, but we’re having fun doing it.”