KILAUEA — Former Harlem Globetrotter Sherman Durham forgot to bring a trademark red, white and blue basketball, but he didn’t forget to bring his contagious, fun personality to nearly 90 youths yesterday at the final day of the mini-camp at
KILAUEA — Former Harlem Globetrotter Sherman Durham forgot to bring a trademark red, white and blue basketball, but he didn’t forget to bring his contagious, fun personality to nearly 90 youths yesterday at the final day of the mini-camp at Kilauea Gym.
“Yeah, that’s probably the only thing missing from this camp,” Durham said. “This experience brought back a lot of my childhood memories. Everytime I’m around kids, I feel like a kid again.”
Sherman, who played for the Globetrotters from 1990-92, spearheaded the event, along with other former professional hoopsters.
“Seeing kids who didn’t want to be here at first and then having them turn around and embrace the camp was one of the best things that came out of the camp,” Durham said.
Ten-year-old Daniel Reis enjoyed the camp because of helpful coaches and players.
“It was great, I liked it,” the Kilauea boy said. “There were lots of coaches teaching us about hoops. I also got to learn some new Globetrotter tricks and they also taught us that winning and losing aren’t the most important things.”
North Shore Calvary Chapel pastor Bob Fukui was responsible for putting the camp together. His lengthy friendship with former Continental Basketball League player Rick Harville laid down the foundation for the event.
“I’ve known Rick for 25 years,” Fukui said. “We’ve done many camps together and he’s extremely experienced in putting on camps.”
At first, Fukui was nervous about not getting enough youths for the event, but the amount of applications flooded in at the last moment.
“It’s a humbling experience,” Fukui said. “I about fell out of my chair when I heard that the numbers grew so much.”
In between the morning and afternoon sessions, Fukui said individuals gave testimonies to the kids.
Alyssa Wandery, a visiting Biola University basketball player, offered an account which left the youths with goose bumps.
“The kids enjoyed it,” Wandery said. “Basketball is just a game, life is something you take seriously.”
For 14-year-old Jaimee Mariano, the camp was just another avenue to meet friends.
“I got to play with other players who I never played against,” Mariano said. “It was fun. God is always there for us.”
Durham said he was extremely impressed with the females at the camp.
“It was quite shocking seeing them play at that high of a level,” Durham said.
Durham’s first camp on Kaua‘i brought him a ton of memories, enough to make any Globetrotter come back to the Garden Isle.
“Not knowing what to expect, from having only 20 kids to 88, that’s a blessing,” Durham said. “Getting to know them and seeing them smile makes it all worth it.”
Among the camp honorees included camper of the day, Koa Baclayon; most improved, Tommy Patch and Paulette Guerra; best attitude, Donovan Harrison and Janae Schallert; MVP, Thomas Gospel and Leihua McCabe.
• Duane Shimogawa Jr., sports editor, may be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 257) or kauaisports@kauaipubco.com.
Camp Honors
Camper of the Day — Koa Baclayon
Most Improved — Tommy Patch, Paulette Guerra
Best Attitude — Donovan Harrison, Janae Schallert
MVP — Thomas Gospel, Leihua McCabe
