Storm basketball camp a way for players to give back

The Cleveland High School basketball team held its annual youth basketball camp this week, which lasted three days and ended with pizza and free basketballs.

“It’s a great opportunity for us, as coaches, to get our players involved and try to give back to the community. Have them start building relationships with these young kids, and we’re really trying to build a strong sense of community over here," head coach Zach Cole said. “There’s kids that are just coming out here picking up a basketball for the first time, that's what it’s about: providing an opportunity for these kids to learn the fundamentals of basketball. “

From June 17-19, the Storm’s basketball gyms were energized as many young ballers went through dribbling drills, handling drills, passing drills, games of knockout and more.

“We are out here giving back to the community; we’re giving these kids some memories to hold on to and hopefully inspiring them to keep playing the game that we love,” senior Bronson Cole said.

Cole plays shooting guard and small forward and is no stranger to basketball summer camps. His father is Zach Cole.

“I grew up around all these basketball players, and it’s cool to finally be in the position to give back, seeing all these kids, and knowing that I was once in their position,” Bronson Cole said.

PHOTOS: 2024 Cleveland Youth Basketball Camp

During the scrimmage games, camp attendees were given a chance to showcase their skills, and among the standouts was second grader Alijah Files

“I’m just hooping; that’s what I do here. Been hoping since I was 5 or 6,” Files said.

Files is only 8 years old but displayed impressive ball handling skills and showed that he wasn’t afraid to drive in on oncoming defenders and score.

Files plays power forward and center and hopes to play for Cleveland someday.

However, for now, Files was just excited when players started bringing in Domino's pizza to celebrate the conclusion of camp.

“Everybody’s happy to be here, everybody's having fun, and that’s all you can wish for,” senior point guard Titus Sutton said. “I went to these all the time. It’s amazing being here. It's great being able to have a positive influence on these kids' lives, and it really helps us out, too, because now they want to come out and support us during the season; everything comes around.”

Sutton was very active throughout the day. He could be seen dishing out passes to kids wanting to shoot, offering pointers and even teaching a little girl how to spin a basketball on her finger.

“Coach Apodaca, he was an assistant for the CHS girls varsity team. He took me under his wing. He treated me like I was one of his own, and I’d like to pay the favor back to these kids,” Sutton said.

Before leaving, Sutton stayed to interact with some of the remaining attendees who were waiting for their parents and continued to take pictures with some of the young players.

The Cleveland basketball season is far away. However, heading into his second year at the helm, Coach Cole is proud of his group of guys.

“We got a tough group of kids that are going to work hard, play hard, play smart, they’re going to play together, and they are going to go out there and represent the Cleveland school community — and the community of Rio Rancho — with pride,” Cole said.