Granbury basketball camp is eye-opening for all involved

Going to a basketball camp is an eye-opening experience for most athletes, but in Granbury, it's not just the campers who enjoy it.

Coach David Breazeale and his staff had a full court as hopeful future Pirate players hit the hardwood in droves for boys’ basketball camp June 27-30 at the James Wann Sports Center. The numbers are back up to the 75 to 80 athletes attending Granbury basketball camps before the COVID epidemic, and so is the level of excitement for the athletes.

On Wednesday, the court was practically vibrating with energy as the campers listened to Breazeale about the importance of not giving up and that going until the whistle can be a difference-maker in a game – or a playing career.

"You don't give up. You continue to fight for yourself and your team. Anybody can lay down and quit. Then you go to the locker room and talk about how you lost, but if you keep fighting, you may go to the locker room and talk about how you came back to win." Breazeale said. "Those guys who give up – we can't have them on our team. There are only five guys you can have on the court at one time, and we can't have a kid that quits in the middle of a drill or the middle of practice because they are behind. We don't quit."

Breazeale's camps are fun, challenging, and feature some tough love now and then because he wants his campers to realize the competition to get playing time gets more difficult as they get older. Athleticism is excellent, but the extra effort Breazeale is seeking to instill may be the deciding difference between being a varsity player and a fan in the stands.

"That's a great job, Corbin, way to go," Breazeale said as he shouted encouragement during a speed layup contest. The drill required players to negotiate a pair of orange cones while switching from left to right-hand layups.

The campers' responses have been to rise to the challenges by convincing their parents they need to rearrange the family vacation. That was the case for Dalen Howard, who wanted to defend his "hotshot" championship.

"I came to camp because I want to get better at basketball, and I wanted to defend my hotshot championship," Howard said. "I was better at playing basketball after I went to camp last year. I'm excited."

Graduating senior Sawyer Schenewark is a familiar face to most campers, and he had a wide grin when a player boldly stepped forward and asked for an autograph. His younger brother, Miller, is an incoming freshman with perhaps the best vertical leap on the court. The youngest of the Schenewark boys needs to tippy toe to reach six feet in height, but he can dunk the basketball.

"He hasn't dunked on me yet, but yes, he can do it," Schenewark said.

Schenewark and other former players step up each year and return to the Leta Andrews Court in the James Wann Center for different reasons that all add up to love, respect and loyalty.

Bethel College player Mikey Withey (GHS 2019) is giving back to his high school program by coaching at camp. He's kicking around the idea of coaching, and he hasn't decided, but that's not his reason for being on the court.

"I like being around the coaches and the kids," Withey said. "I'm not sure about it (coaching). I'm looking into the business side of it as well.

Cade Dudley's pursuit of a mechanical engineering degree at UT Arlington doesn't include room for competitive basketball. Coming to help Breazeale coach is a chance to reconnect with the sport and his friends.

"It's a chance to help out others, and I enjoy the chance to hang out with my friends," Dudley said. "We are a part of this program, and it's about giving back."

Kyler Shankles is an incoming junior looking for a spot on the varsity next season, and he's learning what Breazeale's former players already know. He admits a little surprise at the reaction of the younger players who have been in the stands when he plays.

"It's inspiring. You don't ever look at yourself as a role model. Then you see these kids, and they look up to you," Shankles said. "It makes you always want to be your best. I inspire them, but I'm inspired by them as well."

Russell@hcnews.com | 817-573-7066 ext. 231