Dodson Basketball Camp Held Last Week, Free to Area Youth

For the second year in a row, the Coyote Den and Dodson School hosted the Dodson Basketball Camp.

The event started on Monday, June 10, and concluded on Friday, June 14.

The 3rd grade through 7th grade sessions were held from 9 a.m. to noon, and the 8th grade to 12th grade sessions were held from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The PCN caught up with Steve Dow, the main coach of Dodson Basketball Camp.

Coach Dow brought a group from Tallahassee, Fla. and Amarillo, Texas, to help lead the camp.

Coach Dow is a pastor at All Nations Church in Tallahassee, with previous coaching experience. His children played the game of basketball and he currently has a grandson (Connor Dow), who plays at Oklahoma State.

"It is all about basketball but we do try to incorporate life lessons, which will have a biblical base in a public school without sharing scripture," Coach Dow said. "We try to challenge the kids to step up not only in the court but in life."

The group was invited to Dodson by Cory and Janna Jones.

"The school literally rolls out the red carpet for us and it is a pleasure to come and serve," Coach Dow said.

In working with the campers, Coach Dow said that their focus, especially with the younger group was fundamentals.

"We want to teach and teach and reteach the fundamentals," Dow said. "With the high school kids, we take a little more liberty, do some scrimmaging and work on helping them work on the fundamentals while they are actually playing. We stress ball handling, passing, and defense. We really stress defense for these kids."

Coach Dow was asked for his thoughts on this year's group of campers.

"They are the greatest kids," Coach Dow said. "We never have any issue with them. They are always willing to learn, willing to work, and they know now that if they don't listen and pay attention, they get to run. So they listen and pay attention."

Coach Dow was asked about the camp having no fees to the campers.

"We know that sometimes finances are a challenge and all of these kids have a heart to play and a heart to learn so we don't want to restrict them by charging them to be here," He said.

He also acknowledged the down side being that if there is no investment in the camp, some athletes do not show up everyday.

"We are willing to take that risk and invest in the kids that do come out and want to learn and want to play," Dow said.

To double down on their commitment, the group pays for their own travel, food and lodging.

"We want to just give this to the community," Coach Dow said.

The group flew up to Billings, and then drove to Phillips County. Coach Dow was then asked what he thought of the area and how remote it is.

"Oh, I love it," he said. "I grew up in Western Oklahoma, so not a lot of difference. There are probably a few more people, but it's all agricultural, so I love it up here."

Wendy Hopkins, who is the athletic director for the school, was asked what she thought of the group.

"They are amazing. These people are awesome add I love them," Mrs. Hopkins said. "It's incredible. I love everything that they do and everything that they are part of."