'09 Spring Into Summer HoopKidz/HoopElite

HoopKidz/HoopElite Family-

It's been awhile since we've blogged, but we've been busy with the arrival of the Spring Basketball and our exciting Summer basketball calendar! Thanks to all concerned for a great January thru March of Instructional Basketball sessions. Owings Mills(Baltimore), Silver Spring, and Bowie sessions were filled with great kids working hard on their skill levels. Special Thanks to all our Parents for their help and involvement... Going on now- Our HoopKidz Saturday Instructional League in Bowie... Up next our last Instructional session of this School year in Bowie begins Thursday, April 9th. Don't forget to sign up for this last session before Summer! ... Great response so far to what's going to be our most exciting Summer Camp line-up yet! Our two big HoopKidz Summer Basketball Camps for Boys & Girls, Ages 3 to 13 will be held on June 22nd and July 27th. Appearance and speaking commitments are still coming in! Recent commitments from Gonzaga High's Steve Turner and DeMatha's David Adkins, plus Camp favorites Robert 'Bobby' Kinzer and Nike BrandJordan's Steve Riggins ... Register for these camps today and you're still eligible for a discount. Our regular Camp price will be in effect soon! Our Skill Specialty Camps are filling fast as well. HoopElite Shooting Camp(2 locations), HoopElite Post Play/Guard Camp, the HoopElite Defensive Basketball Camp and our HoopElite All-Girls Skill Camp are all available to register for now on line and fill up well in advance... Next week, our Blog about 'What to Look for in a Summer Camp' ... Up Top Left our Feature Photo, Director Dennis Kirkland and his HoopKidz charges in our March Owings Mills sessions and on the Right HoopKidz Group 1 from Bowie in March '09!...

HoopKidz/HoopElite News-

Congrats to HoopKidz Summer Basketball Camp Counselor, Dwayne Anderson(St. John's) and his Villanova Wildcats on this year's Final Four appearance. Dwayne's local teammates include Dante Cunningham(St.John's/Potomac) and Maurice Sutton (Largo)... We're holding our first DC/MD/VA HS Seniors Showcase on Wednesday, April 22nd. This event is for graduating Seniors still seeking College Basketball playing scholarships and opportunities... The City of Bowie Gymnasium will hold a Basketball Fundrasier for HoopKidz Summer Basketball Camp Counselor, Leon Willis on Friday, April 3rd, 2009 at 6PM. Willis, who graduates from Virginia State University in May, was an All-CIAA performer this season. The benefit is to help fund Leon's tour of Europe this Summer with the all CIAA Basketball team... Special thanks to HoopKidz Director Bob Batten and Bowie State University for allowing us to work with the visiting Russian Basketball team on a State Department tour which included a visit to a Wizards game, the Indiana Final 8 site, and a game vs. the Indiana State HS Basketball Champion... Post season HoopElite Basketball Skill training has already begun! Call the office at 1-888-HOOPKIZ(466-7549), ext. 701 for times and schedules... Final Thought- 'Fear and Worry are interest paid in advance on something you may never own'... *HoopKidz/HoopElite uses Nike Basketballs and equipment exclusively* HoopKidz/HoopElite P.O. Box 1539 Bowie, MD 20717-1539 1-888-HOOPKIZ(466-7549) Ext. 701 will get you to a Coach or Director www.hoopkidz.com E-mail us at info@hoopkidz.com...

HoopKidz/HoopElite Early Summer Camp News!

You Miss 100% of the shots that you don't take ... Joe Ledbetter, HS Basketball Coach

* Schedule Change (March 5th, 2009)- Our HoopKidz Spring Saturday Instructional League start date has been changed to begin March 14th at 9:00 AM at the City Of Bowie Gymnasium, Bowie instead of March 7th. The League will run thru Saturday, April 18th. Sorry for any scheduling inconvenience.*

HoopKidz & HoopElite Family

It's February already and our Summer and Specialty Camps are right around the corner. I know the weather doesn't allow us much time to think about Summer, family vacations, and the kid's being out of school. But, it'll be here sooner than you can we think! Don't forget to register for one or more of our great Camp & Skill Camp offerings before it's too late. Early Discount rates end at Midnight on February 15th! Our Camp rates will revert to their 2009 prices. Register early and save 20%. Our HoopKidz & HoopElite Skill Camp offerings are still the best basketball skill training values in the Washington Metropolitan Area. Register now at the website, http://www.hoopkidz.com/ and we'll see you this Summer!... Our HoopKidz Instructional session set to begin on February 9th at Takoma Park Middle School in Silver Spring, MD will now begin on Monday, February 23rd at 6 PM and run for six weeks... We're getting lots of registrations for our upcoming HoopKidz Instructional Saturday League set to start March 7th. Boys and Girls, Ages 3 to 13 are welcome for our 3rd year of instruction and competitive league play. There's still space available. In addition to the teaching aspect and league play, we're bringing in a some of the top area High School Coaches to speak as well... Feature Pictures this blog edition include Bottom Left, Group1 HoopKidz from our current Bowie session posing for the camera at the end of a session. Top Center, members of New Hope Academy Varsity program, and Top Right, Zoe Dickerson & Director David Dickerson on their way to the next HoopKidz session...

HoopKidz & HoopElite News-

In our thoughts and Prayers this month, Ms. Diana Gaither, Mother of Coach Guy Nelson, Aunt Charlotte Robinson, Cousins Sid Hill and Robert Robinson, Renee Palmer & Family and Sheila Dowell...Congrats to Adia and Vern Stribling on birth of their first child... Birthday Wishes to one our favorite HoopKidz Mitchell Johnson and Owings Mills HoopKidz Vanguard Minter... Season updates on our all of HoopKidz, HoopElite trainees, Summer Camp Counselors and Coaches in next HoopKidz/HoopElite News... New Hope Academy Boys & Girls Varsity competes in GMACC Tournament Championship, March 14... Final Thought "If you pay attention to the grandstands...it won't be long before you join them"- Anonymous

*HoopKidz/HoopElite uses Nike Basketballs & Equipment exclusively* HoopKidz/HoopElite Basketball P.O. Box 1539 Bowie, MD 20717-1539. Call us 1-888-HOOPKIZ(466-7549) Dial extension 701 for a Director or Coach. Visit our website at http://www.hoopkidz.com/ and e-mail us at info@hoopkidz.com

2009 HoopKidz/HoopElite Inaugural News!

* The HoopKidz Instructional session set to begin February 9th @ Takoma Prk Middle School- Silver Spring, MD will now start on Monday, February 23rd, '09 at Takoma Park Middle School due to a school schedule change...

Not only is there more to life than basketball, there's a lot more to basketball
than basketball- Phil Jackson

HoopKidz & HoopElite Family-

It's a great time for the Washington Area with the celebration of the Inauguration of our new President. Our children are witness to historic and exciting times... We're half way through the our 1st month of the new year and we couldn't be more excited about 2009 HoopKidz/HoopElite events. New Instructional sessions began in Bowie and Owings Mills the first week of January. Silver Spring Instructional sessions will now begin February 9th and all of our Summer Camp and Specialty Skill Camps are currently registering. Go to http://www.hoopkidz.com/ for all of our Camp information. This Summer(our 9th), our HoopKidz and HoopElite Camp offerings are bigger, better, and more comprehensive. You can register now for any of our Camps & Specialty Skill Camps and save 20% before February 15th with our version of a "Stimulus program". Camp prices will revert on 2/15 and no further discounts will be offered this year. Register early to reserve your space!... The HoopKidz Spring Instructional Basketball League will run on Saturdays beginning March 7th in Bowie. Registration is available now. The League sessions are for 6 weeks and run from 9AM to 11:30AM. For Boys and Girls, ages 3 to 13, both Instructional and team competitive play are emphasized. Register early for past participant and HoopKidz family discounts.

HoopKidz & HoopElite News

Still in our thoughts and Prayers, the family and friends of Gerald Moore, a HoopKidz Summer Director and Northwestern High Coach... Renee Palmer and family on the with of their Father, Augustus 'Gus' Palmer...Medaris Banks and family...Shelley Rawlings and Kilpatrick Family with of their Father... Ron Payton and Family...Sheila Dow recovering from illness... New Hope Academy (Lanham) Boys & Girls Varsity teams are making great progress this season. The Girls Varsity posted their 1st victory last week versus Mt. Oak and the Boys program had two one-point losses last week versus Mt. Oak and Wash. United Christian...Strong seasons being turned in by HoopElite trainees Maurice Mason(Westlake), David Abrahamson (Eleanor Roosevelt), Jared Carithers, Alex Rodriquez, and Temi Shonibare (Bowie High). HoopKidz Summer Camp Counselors playing well include Jarrell Nelson(Widener), Corey Camphor (Bowie State), Leon Willis(VA State Univ.), Darren Clark (Lincoln Univ.), and Nat Flowers (Univ. of Montevallo, AL)... Congrats to friend of the program, Alonzo Mourning for his great career basketball career and his even more impressive contribution to the Miami community...

Practice for the upcoming Spring and Summer AAU/YBOA season begins for HoopSelect MD, our youth select teams on March 8th. Tournament play and travel are involved. A 9 and under and 12 and under Boys team will be fielded this season. A 12 and under Girls program will be also begin this year. Advanced age-level players are chosen to be involved in this program... Our successful HoopElite Skills Training, our instructional skill and development program, will also begin in March after Basketball season. Detailed information is at the website now. ..Final thoughts-"Ask yourself what have I contributed to this problem"?...

*HoopKidz/HoopElite uses Nike Basketballs & equipment exclusively* HoopKidz/HoopElite Basketball P.O. Box 1539 Bowie, MD 20717-1539 Call us 1-888-HOOPKIZ(466-7549) Dial extension 701 for a Director or Coach. Visit our website at www.hoopkidz.com and e-mail us at info@hoopkidz.com

HoopKidz '09 New Year Predictions!

HoopKidz/HoopElite Family-

Happy New Year to you all! I know that you all have great plans for 2009 and HoopKidz /HoopElite wishes the best to all of your Families, children, and friends. We get a fast start to the new year with our Instructional Basketball programs beginning on Wednesday, January 7th in Bowie and Saturday, January 10th in Ownings Mills/Baltimore at New Town Elementary, Owings Mills. If you haven't registered, do it today at the website, hoopkidz.com...

Holiday HoopKidz GiveAway winners announced on the front page of the HoopKidz website, check to see if you're among the winners. Thanks to everyone who participated!... The HoopElite training program has not been added to the website yet! Check back on January 8th. We're still adding some training sites and additional services. We expect to have a large expansion of this program in 2009... Also, our HoopSelect (AAU) program begins practice for the upcoming season in February '09... Many Thanks for all the Holiday well wishes, texts, and phone calls over the Holidays...

HoopKidz/HoopElite News-

Look for a full blog this week with our HoopKidz/HoopElite predictions for '09, new programs and updates on our Coaches, kids, and Video (that's right video!)... In our New Year's thoughts and Prayers, the family of former HoopKidz and Northwestern Coach, Gerald Moore, Medaris Banks and family, Joe Holston and family, cousin Sidney Hill, Samuel Yette and Ms. Diana Gaither... Look out for this week's full blog coming via e-mail with all 2009 HoopKidz/HoopElite updates ! HoopKidz/HoopElite P.O. Box 1539 Bowie, MD 20717-1539 E-Mail info@hoopkidz.com Website www.hoopkidz.com Call us at 1-888-HOOPKIZ(466-7549), ext. 701 HoopKidz/HoopElite uses Nike Basketballs and Equipment exclusively*. Final thought-"Sports does not build character. They reveal it" - John Wooden

Tis the Season for HoopKidz/HoopElite!

*Late News- HoopKidz Summer Director, Coach Gerald Moore passed suddenly of an apparent heart attack on December 11th, 2008. Coach Moore was Head Boys Basketball Coach at Northwestern High in Hyattsville, MD and won two MD State 4A Championships at Friendly High School in Ft, Washington, MD. Coach Moore played at and attended Hampton University with HoopKidz Director David Dickerson. Our sincere condolences to his wife, Tamara and daughters, Casey and Sommer...

HoopKidz/HoopElite Family-

Season Greetings to all of our HoopKidz/HoopElite Family and friends. As 2008 comes to a close, we've been reminded that this has been quite a memorable year for our program. HoopKidz/HoopElite has continued to exist and expand because of the great people and companies we're so fortunate to be involved with. To all of our Parents and their wonderful kids that have been a part of our work this year, we want to say 'Thank You'. Your involvement and care has helped to create and grow the 'HoopKidz/HoopElite Family' to well over 12,000 children.

I want to send a Special Holiday Greeting and Thank You to the core HoopKidz Staff. To Director Guy Nelson- Blessings to you and your family this Holiday. Thank You for your continued commitment to HoopKidz and our over 30 year friendship. To Director Pam Kirkland- Blessings to your family, Walt, and Garrett. For your week in-week- out involvement, our kids Basketball skills and lives have been enhanced. To Director, Dale Lambreth-Blessings to you and your Family and your involvement in making our Summer Basketball Camps run smoothly each year. To Director, Dennis Kirkland- Blessings to both your family and now extended family and all your help and commitment with our Owings Mills program. To HoopKidz Intern, Eric Coleman- Blessings to family and Many Thanks for all you do and your help with the New Hope program. For our Summer Staff and Specialty Skill Camp Coaches- Mark Edwards, Spencer Allen, Brian Magid, Bobby Kinzer, David Adkins, Karl Hobbs, and the many others- Special Holiday Blessings are in order to you and all of your families.

HoopKidz/HoopElite does not exist without the help of all of the Facilities, Vendors, and businesses that supply and support our mission to teach Basketball. To the following people, vendors, and businesses we wish a wonderful Holiday season and blessings to their families:

the City of Bowie Gymnasium- Donna Hooper, Ms. Phyliss, Duncan, Carlos, Gene Gloster, Clark, Keith, Travis, Gene & Matt. New Town High & Elementary School- Reggie Brooks, Clinton Jennifer, and Ray. Nike, and a Special Thanks to Steve Riggins and family. Reggie Diggs, his family and the staff at CityWide Promotions for their great work over the last ten years. Patrick and our JDS Awards family. Atlantic Coast Cotton for their great products and help. Keith and the SBT-Silver Spring staff for the great banners and artwork.

Guess What? We've honored our Parents many requests to extend the 2008 HoopKidz Holiday GiveAway until December 20th!. We listened to you about extending the GiveAway to accomadate your Holiday time schedule. To participate, all you have to do is register for a current or upcoming 2009 HoopKidz/HoopElite session for chances to win the new Nike LeBron VI Basketball Shoes, Nike 4005 Leather Basketballs, Nike SPARQ Training Gear, and HoopKidz Hooded Sweatshirts & Sweatpants. Don't miss out this the last extension! Register today! ... Holiday Pictures this blog- Left, 'TJ' finishes a JumpShot Center, December session Bowie HoopKidz celebrate the last shot of the day contest with DuVall Price & Vincent Vines and Right, Zylah Marion takes a break from shooting...

HoopKidz/HoopElite News

We are saddened by the sudden passing of one of our own, Gerald Moore (information above). And we're equally saddened on the loss of our dear friend and supporter, Mrs. Dorothy Banks, Mother of Medaris Banks. Mrs. Banks, who passed after a long illness, leaves her son, Medaris, daughter-in-law, Bobette and grandchildren, Nia and India. She will be dearly missed by all who crossed her path... Also, In our Thoughts and Prayers this blog, Andrea 'Andy' Holston, who passed this week. Condolences are order to her husband, Joe Holston, their children and extended family... We're also keeping in our Prayers, Tempest Tennille, Ms. Diana Gaither, Aunt Charlotte Robinson, Wendy Reed Smith, Robert Robinson, Adia Stribling, the Mother of Michael Hines, Roland Tirado, Larry Gaunt, Mrs. Mary Rear, Matt D'Angelo, HoopKidz Coach Chaz Innis Johnson and the memory of Mentor, Ron Early, Sr... The 2008-9 High School Basketball season is already off to a great start. We've already had an opportunity to get out to some great games our kids have played in including DeMatha, Wise, Paul VI, Bishop McNamara, and Good Counsel. We'll provide updates next blog!... Last chance for HoopKidz Families to sign up the Half-Time Game appearance at the Navy vs. Longwood game on Tuesday, December 30th. This game is for HoopKidz, ages 9 to 13th. Tickets are $3 for Family & friends, our kids are free and Pizza is provided by the Academy for kids after the game. E-Mail us ASAP if you want your kids to participate... All new HoopElite Training & Instruction for 2009 will be on the website beginning 12/15... Summer Camp Dates are availble now... Final Thought- We Are Called To Stand Out, Not Blend In... Have a wonderful Holiday Season!

HoopKidz/HoopElite P.O. Box 1539 Bowie, MD 20717-1539. Call us at 1-888-HOOPKIZ(466-7549), ext. 701 for a Coach or Director. *HoopKidz/HoopElite uses Nike Basketballs and Equipment exclusively. HoopKidz on the web- www.hoopkidz.com*

Giving Thanks/ HoopKidz Holiday GiveAway!

Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.- John Wooden

*HoopKidz Holiday GiveAway Now Extended thru December 6th. Register Today!*

HoopKidz/HoopElite Family-

It's Thanksgiving week and we've got lots to be to be thankful for this year. With all that's gone on in Calender year 2008, we feel honored tol have had the opportunity to work with you and your children another year. It's still great to get phone calls, e-mails, and news about the development of the kids from our program that have moved on to High School and College play. We're thankful for your health(and ours, too!) and commitment to getting your children the best Basketball skill training available. And lastly, we're extremely thankful for Family. HoopKidz is very much a family program. Our Coaches have known each other for years, our own children have participated in the program and we feel that your kids are our kids as well. It's the reason HoopKidz is our 12th year! Thank You all for continued support of both HoopKidz and HoopElite Basketball... We're coming down to the last few days of the 2008 HoopKidz Holiday GiveAway! Remember, this GiveAway contest ends on *December 6th!* To participate, all you have to do is register for a current or upcoming 2009 HoopKidz/HoopElite session for chances to win some great Gifts! Nike LeBron 5 Basketball Shoes, Air Jordan Basketball Shoes, Nike 4005 Leather Basketballs, Nike SPARQ Training gear, and HoopKidz Hooded Sweatshirts & Sweatpants are just some the biggest array of items we've ever offered! Don't miss out! Register today for any session for automatic entry... We're getting a great response to our 1st Montgomery County HoopKidz site in some 10 years! HoopKidz begins on Monday(yes, Monday!), December 1st at Takoma Park Middle School on Piney Branch Road in Silver Spring, MD. Our start time is 6:00 PM. We'd like to send out an advance welcome to all of our HoopKidz and their parents registered for this upcoming session. Space is still available!... Top Center, HoopKidz Jake Koverman can't wait to get back in the action in our fall Instructional League. His Dad, Tony (Head Coach at Indian Springs High) watches the action intently... Bottom Left, our fall HoopKidz Owings Mills group, Donovan Young , Erin Tari, Ananya Veepa , Ryan D'Angelo , Charlie D'Angelo and Amir . Right, Zoe Dickerson on her 10th Birthday(11/21) at the anchor desk in the TV studio at Northview Elementary just before air time. Happy Birthday, Zo!

HoopKidz & HoopElite News

In our Thoughts & Prayers this blog, Tempest Tennille, Mrs. Dorothy Banks, Ms. Diana Gaither, Aunt Charlotte Robinson, Wendy Reed Smith, Adia Stribling, Robert Robinson, Brian Beard, Larry Gaunt, Tom O'Connor, Roland Tirado, Samuel Yette, Matt D'Angelo on his upcoming deployment, Mrs. Mary Rear, Ms. Dade-Happy 94th Birthday!, Lawerence Moore, Avi Smith, Dr. James Jones, Michael Hines & Family, Family of Alvin Brunson- Congrats on City of Baltimore honoring Alvin's memory with his own day, November 14th, 08, and former Wizard Coach Eddie Jordan... In the great to hear from & about you file- Reggie Brooks, J.Hatim Hamer & Mike Bellamy... HoopSelect member, Michael Moses turned in a great record-setting football season...We had a chance to see Freshmen(Lincoln University) & HoopElite trainee, Darren Clark(Largo) score 19 vs. Bowie State and follow up the next day vs. Pfifer with 26 pts...HoopElite trainee, Nate Flowers averaging 11 pts and 10+ rebounds per game for Montevallo University(AL)... Alexis Abraham getting a great start with Delaware State after transfering from Towson with an early 8 pts a game... Lindsay Harris averaging 5 pts as a starter at Rhode Island... HoopElite Leon Willis (VA State Univ.) had season high 18 points vs. St. Augustine's last Saturday... Happy 9th Birthday, Kaylan Nelson(Coach Guy Nelson's daughter), Also, Happy Birthday, 'DK' Kirland (Coach Dennis Kirkland's son)... *Parents*- We didn't have a enough family response for this year's 1st HoopKidz /Navy game in Annapolis on Sunday, November 30th. This game was for our youngest ages, 3 to 8. We've still got the Half-time game for Tuesday, December 30th vs. Longwood for our older HoopKidz, ages 9 to 13 on the schedule. Let us know by the end of this week, November 29th whether you plan to participate so we can finalize the details. The tickets are $3 for Family & friends, our kids are free and Pizza is provided by the Academy for the kids after the game...*Parents* E-Mail us if you need a Boys & Girls Club team reference for this season, we'll send you the contact info for the proper club for your child...HS Juniors & Seniors, if you're still in need tapes/dvd's and college packaging, contact Shawn Hawkins at Write To Succeed for help at (443) 280-2770... HoopKidz Basketball Hooded Sweatshirts and Sweatpants are available in Navy & Gray, order at http://www.hoopkidz.com/ ... Final thought- When Wisdom Reigns, It Pours... Happy Thanksgiving!

HoopKidz/HoopElite P.O. Box 1539 Bowie, MD 20717-1539. Call us at 1-888-HOOPKIZ(466-7549), ext. 701 for a Coach or Director. HoopKidz/HoopElite uses Nike Basketballs and Equipment exclusively... HoopKidz on the web- http://www.hoopkidz.com/

Change & the HoopKidz Holiday GiveAway!

Change.
-Political campaign slogan


HoopKidz/HoopElite Family-

Wow! What a week. We were just privy to an amazing paradigm shift in our country. I'm elated to have been a witness to such an historic event. Our HoopKidz & HoopElite program has no political agenda other than helping our kids become better basketball players and becoming more knowledgeable about this great game. But, we don't live in vaccum either... Great running into many of you at the polls last week... We told you about the HoopKidz Holiday GiveAway last blog, now here are the details. Register for any upcoming HoopKidz/HoopElite Basketball session(this includes all 2009 sessions) between October 31st and November 30th and you're automatically entered into our Holiday GiveAway! This is our largest prize pool to date. This Holiday season we've got $100 Nike Gift certificates, Nike 4005 Leather Basketballs, Nike Sparq Training Gear (Ladders & Resistance Parachutes), the new LeBron V Basketball shoes, new Air Jordans, Univ of MD, Navy, Georgetown, & GWU Basketball game tickets. We've also got HoopKidz Hooded Sweatshirts and sweatpants to giveaway as well! All paid registrations are eligible for entry. Winners will be notified by December 2nd! Additional registrations will increase your opportunity to win (If you've registered for any November '08 session already, you've already been entered!). Register today at http://www.hoopkidz.com/ ... Monday, December 1st marks the start of 1st Montgomery County HoopKidz session at Takoma Park Middle School, Silver Spring, MD. We're looking forward to working with a great new group of children and their Parents. Registration is available now at http://www.hoopkidz.com/ Register early because this session will fill up quickly!... Our Owings Mills/Baltimore sessions began last week with a great new group. We will be holding sessions at New Town Elementary(across the street on New Town Blvd.) instead of New Town High School... Feature Photos, Top- Group 2 Saturday Instructional League participants take a break to pose for a photo. Middle Photo, Zoe Dickerson poses on Halloween before heading out for Trick or Treat. Bottom photo, Group 1 Instructional Leaguers (Aliyah Hampton, David Ingram, Kennedy Bankett, Gabe Quimby, Jazmine Holder,& Makai Parker) give up a smile for the camera.

HoopKidz/HoopElite News

In our Prayers and Thoughts this Blog- Tempris Tennille, Roland Tirado, Ms. Diana Gaither(Coach Guy Nelson's Mom), Aunt Charlotte Robinson and Robert Robinson, Chuck Innis Johnson, Wendy Reed Smith, Adia Dade, Mrs. Dorothy Banks, Samuel Yette, The Johnson Family(Darcelle), Mrs. Ellis(Justin), Michael Hines(Bowie High) & Family ... HoopElite & HoopKidz Counselor, Alexis Abraham(Riverdale Baptist, Towson Univ.) becomes eligible to play this season for Delaware State...New Hope Academy begins their Basketball season, November 15th... 1st quarter Report Cards are out this week and we've already received some great early reports... Many Thanks and well wishes to all of Fall HoopElite trainees on the upcoming Basketball seasons... We've received just a few responses on the upcoming HoopKidz/Navy Basketball Games. This is our annual trek over to Annapolis for our kids to play before and at half-time of a Navy Collegiate game. This year, two dates have been set, Sunday, November 30th vs. Delaware (for Ages 9 thru 13 at half-time, 7PM) and Tuesday, December 30th vs. Longwood Univ. (Ages 3 to 9 for pre-game, 4 to 5 PM). Our participation will depend on your participation and commitment. Tickets are $3 for Family and Friends, our kids are free and Pizza provided by Navy for the players after the games. All current and past HoopKidz are eligible to participate. This has been a great family event for us for the last four years. Let us know by e-mail(info@hoopkidz.com) asap if you think you'd like to participate so we can finalize arrangements... Shawn Hawkins and Write To Succeed are current making arrangements and scheduling taping for this upcoming season. Parents/High School Ballers, if you need footage for College recruiting, call Shawn at (443) 280-2270 or e-mail him at writetosucceed@aol.com... Parents who didn't receive T-Shirts or Basketballs from the last Bowie session(10/08), let us know by e-mail, so we can make a time available for you to pick up ... Final Thought- The Nose of A Bulldog is slanted backwards so he can continue to breathe without letting go ...Winston Churchill

HoopKidz/HoopElite P.O. Box 1539 Bowie, MD 20717-1539 Call us at 1-888-HOOPKIZ(466-7549), ext. 701 for a Coach or Director. HoopKidz/HoopElite uses Nike Basketballs and Equipment exclusively... HoopKidz on the web- www.hoopkidz.com

HoopKidz "Halloween"& Holiday GiveAway!

"First master the fundamentals" - Larry Bird


HoopKidz/HoopElite Family-

It's Halloween Week, so that can only mean that the 'official' Hoops season is upon us! I add 'official' because Basketball season has now morphed into a year-round schedule for all ages and levels of competition. While we love Basketball and teach Basketball skills year-round, we also feel that our kids should participate in a full range of sports and other activities. That said, it's time for Basketball season preparation!... Thanks to all of our Kids and their parents for their efforts in our just completed 1st Fall session in Bowie. The Instructional League wraps up this weekend and we've got a great group preparing for their upcoming seasons. Up next, our Wednesday Fall Instructional session in begin November 5th and our 1st Fall Owings Mills/Baltimore session at New Town High School begins on Saturday, November 8th! If your kids have been involved in Football and Fall Soccer, these sessions are a great opportunity to reclaim their 'Basketball legs' and skills. Spaces are still available for both. Register today at www.hoopkidz.com before it's too late. HoopKidz Family and past participant discounts are still available at the website... Looking forward to seeing all of our Owings Mills, Baltimore County, & Baltimore families again beginning Saturday, November 8th!... Special Thanks to all of the participants involved in the Post Play/Guard Skills sesssions last week... This year's Holiday HoopKidz Giveaway Promotion begins early this year (November 1st) and will feature our largest Prize pool to date. $100 Nike Gift certificates, Nike 4005 Leather Basketballs, Nike Sparq training gear, Air Jordan and LeBron basketball shoes, UMD, Navy, Georgetown, & GWU Basketball game tickets, HoopKidz Hooded Sweatshirts, Sweatpants, and more! To qualify, just Register early for any upcoming HoopKidz/HoopElite session(includes all '08 & '09 sessions) with payment. The contest runs through the month of November '08. Look out for more information and registration available at http://www.hoopkidz.com/ beginning 10/31!* (If you've registered for any November '08 session, you're qualified already for entry!)

HoopKidz/HoopElite News

In our Prayers and Thoughts this blog, Tempris Tennille, recovering from a recent illness...Roland Tirado... Ms. Diana Gaither (Coach Guy Nelson's Mom)... Aunt Charlotte Robinson & Robert Robinson...Wendy Reed Smith... Ms. Dorothy Banks...the Family of Michael Hines (Bowie High's Girl Basketball Coach), whose Mom has been sick...HoopKidz Stephen Cannady, Jr., whose broken foot (Football) is on the mend... Carl Smith, Jr... The Johnson(Darcelle) Family and Hampton University family on the loss of classmate, Michael Johnson... HoopKidz Coach Lawerence Moore... Congrats are in order to HoopKidz friend of the Program, former Pro and current Memphis Asst. Coach, Rod Strickland on his induction into the NYC Basketball Hall Of Fame... Shawn Hawkins and his Write To Succeed program held a great seminar last week for Student Athletes interested in pursuing scholarships and playing at the next level. If you missed it, it's not too late to get this valuable information. More seminars are planned. Write To Succeed also does great tape and highlight packages for Athletes recruitment. For this and more info, you can reach Shawn at (443)280-2270 or e-mail him at writetosucceed@aol.com... HoopKidz will again play(our 4th yr!) at the Naval Academy for a Navy Basketball game. Two dates have been set, Sunday, November 30th vs. Delaware (HoopKidz, Ages 9 to 13 for halftime game/7 PM) and Tuesday, December 30th vs. Longwood (HoopKidz, Ages 3 to 8 for pre-game/4 to5 PM). Our participation will depend on your participation and commitment. Tickets again will be $3 for Family and friends, participants are free with pizza provided by Navy for the players after the games. All current and past HoopKidz are eligible to participate. E-mail us here at info@hoopkidz.com if you want you child to play this year... Don't forget to Vote, November 4th!... Can't apologize enough for the lateness, but a Montgomery County HoopKidz December location and date will be announced next week! We've been working on it a long time, so we can't wait. Thanks for your patience... Final thoughts from Basketball Legend, Wilt Chamberlin- "Everybody pulls for David, nobody pulls for Goliath" and Well wishes go out this week to another Basketball Hall Of Famer, Isiah Thomas who ironically was earlier quoted in his career for saying "If all I'm remembered for is being a good basketball player, then I've done a bad job with the rest of my life"...

HoopKidz/HoopElite P.O. Box 1539 Bowie, MD 20717-1539. Call us at 1-888-HOOPKIZ(466-7549), ext. 701 for a Coach or Director. HoopKidz/HoopElite uses Nike Basketballs & Equipment exclusively... HoopKidz on the web- http://www.hoopkidz.com/

Midnight Madness! for HoopKidz/HoopElite

HoopKidz/HoopElite family-



Midnight Madness, the official start for the upcoming College Basketball season begins this week and that only means High School and Youth basketball season are just a short few weeks behind! Our kids have just a short time to get prepared. HoopElite will hold our preseason Post Play & Guard Camp this Friday, October 18th & Saturday October 19th at the City of Bowie Gymnasium to emphasize specific Position Play for all Boys & Girls , Ages 7 to 17 wishing to strengthen their skill set before the season begins. Feature Coaches include our own Dale Lambreth(Head Coach, Thomas Stone), Mark Edwards and David Adkins(DeMatha), and HoopKidz/HoopElite's Pam Kirkland(Seton Hall). Don't miss this last opportunity at great instruction before the season starts... Upcoming weekly preparation for our kids starts with the start of next HoopKidz Instructional Basketball sessions beginning November 5th(Wednesdays) in Bowie and our 1st Fall sessions in Owings Mills/Baltimore beginning November 8th(Saturdays) at New Town High School in Owings Mills, MD. Registration is still available for both sessions... Great sessions are currently going on in the Bowie Gymnasium on Thursdays (HoopKidz Instructional) and Saturdays (HoopKidz Instructional Basktball League)...

HoopKidz/HoopElite News-

This Sunday, October 19th Parents, Middle & High School Student Athletes should attend the Informational Workshop on the new NCAA Eligibility Changes being held at the Capital Sports Complex (formerly Run & Shoot) in Forestville, MD. Sponsored by Write To Succeed and Shawn Hawkins, this event is for Parents & Student Athletes navigating Recruitment and Athletic Scholarships. Entrance fee is just $10. For more information, please contact Shawn Hawkins at (443) 280-2270...In our thoughts and Prayers this month, friend of the program, Al Hutchinson of Charlotte, N.C. with the loss of his Mother, Ms. Dorothy Hutchinson... Aunt Charlotte Robinson of Millbrook, NY... Ms. Gaither, Mother of HoopKidz Coach Guy Gaither... Happy Birthday to HoopKidz, Maylasia Kennedy on October 18th!... Congratulations to HoopElite trainee and HoopKidz Summer Camp Counselor, Leon Willis. Leon was named Pre-Season All-Conference(CIAA) for Virginia State University... HoopKidz/HoopElite uses Nike Basketballs & Equipment exclusively... HoopKidz/HoopElite P.O. Box 1539 Bowie, MD 20717-1539. Call us at 1-888-HOOPKIZ(466-7549) , ext. 701 for a Coach or Director. Our website is at www.hoopkidz.com E-mail us at info@hoopkidz.com Got Skillz?

New Dates for All Girls Skills and Post Play Guard Camps!

HoopKidz/HoopElite Family- Schedule Change!

The new dates for our All-Girls Skills Camp is Friday, November 7th and Saturday, November 8th! Fridays times are 6:30 to 9 PM and Saturday 9 AM to 1 PM. Our Post Play/Guard Camp dates have been moved to take place on Friday, October 17th and Saturday, October 18th. Times are Friday, 6:30 to 9 PM and Saturday, 9 AM to 1 PM. Both Pre-season camps will take place at the City Of Bowie Gymnasium, 4100 Northview Drive, Bowie, MD 20716...