Harlingen South holds basketball camp

By EDWARD SEVERN

Staff Writer

HARLINGEN — Children from age 4 to 11 filled the Harlingen South Hawks’ gym in the morning session. The exuberant kids participated in drills and games led by South’s basketball program.

Middle school level and upcoming freshmen had their time with the coaches and players in the afternoon. More than 125 children participated in the camp.

Harlingen South coach Brian Molina has led the camp for 17 years. Molina said the annual camp is welcome to any child in the area, regardless of their destined high school.

“A lot of our success here at Harlingen South is because we build a really good foundation, starting with the little kids,” he said. “It gives me a chance to look at the future, and I enjoy that. I am fortunate to have this opportunity and to be able to coach these kids.”

Molina’s coaching staff, as well as former and current players, assisted with the camp. Molina pointed toward Steven Ortegon as an example of an athlete who annually attended the camp and is now a varsity starter.

“It is fun,” Ortegon said. “I picture myself when I was in their shoes and I was looking at the coaches. Now I am a coach looking at them. It is cool to be able to help them out and help out the community.”

At the camp, Ortegon said it was fun to see the kids enjoying themselves and learning new basketball skills. Ortegon was the coach who provided examples of the drills the campers would do.

“I tell the players they have more influence than I do because these kids just finished watching them play during the season,” Molina said. “Some of my former players did the camp and ended up getting into coaching because they enjoyed the camp so much.”

The Lady Hawks will host their camp June 6-7.