Sports
Atlanta Hawks Kia Summer Hoops Tour Visits Exchange Recreation Center, Green Forest Baptist Church
NBA squad community outreach program hosts basketball camps for youths of Decatur
From Staff Reports
The Atlanta Hawks and Kia Motors of America (KMA) have been busy at work this month, hitting up various spots throughout the metro area to host the fifth annual Atlanta Hawks Kia Summer Hoops Tour.
This week, the tour found an opening in the lane and drove to the hoop in Decatur, scoring at the Exchange Recreation Center on Columbia Drive and Green Forest Camp at Green Forest Baptist Church.
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The camp sessions featured a high-energy basketball clinic offered by the Atlanta Hawks Basketball Development Team. While in training, the kids were taught the fundamentals of basketball from proper shooting techniques, to defensive alignments. The coaches also stressed the importance of school, character and fitness. As a parting gift, the campers received a jersey and bag courtesy of KMA and the Atlanta Hawks.
“I love the Atlanta Hawks camp routine,” said nine-year-old Brittany Bowden, who attended the outing at the Exchange Recreation Center. “My favorite part is when we do these crazy walks and stuff to get warmed up.”
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To close out the activities at the Exchange Recreation Center, five participants took on coach Michael Brown in a shooting competition, but in the end, Brown was victorious, edging out Ryan Thurman, 14, who came in second place, and Torren Brown, 13, who placed third.
“I think it’s a great experience for the kids,” Director for the Exchange Recreation Center Nick Clark said. “It teaches them how to be teammates, about partnership and about the fundamentals of basketball.”
The tour’s visit to Decatur concluded at the Green Forest Camp.
Although the venue changed, the activities remained the same as a new batch of kids learned the ins and outs of basketball.
“We would like to thank the Atlanta Hawks and Kia for coming out and supporting the students,” Assistant Director of the Summer Enrichment Program at Green Forest Baptist Church Kimberly Mizzell-Smith said. “They’re supporting healthy living for all students.”
