CITIZEN STAFF REPORT
This summer, Operation UNITE is hosting seven free regional Shoot Hoops Not Drugs basketball skills camps across southern and eastern Kentucky. The camps, led by former University of Kentucky point guard and four-time All-SEC Academic Team member Jarrod Polson, offer school-aged youth a fun and interactive environment to learn basketball skills while promoting a drug-free lifestyle.
The camps will take place from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on different dates in June at seven high schools, including June 11 at Martin County High School.
No advance registration is required, but participants should arrive 30 minutes early to register.
Food and water will be provided, and participants will receive a free event T-shirt, a regulation-sized signature basketball, and entry into a drawing for two portable basketball goals.
For safety and comfort, youth should not wear open-toe shoes.
Youth will interact with positive role models while learning fundamental basketball skills. Polson relates these fundamentals to situations participants face later in life – maintaining a healthy lifestyle, listening, teamwork, effort, and living with the consequences of making poor choices.
The camps will also offer educational sessions for parents and guardians about the hidden dangers associated with vaping and the signs, symptoms and dangers posed by prescription drug use.
UNITE has hosted 105 basketball camps since 2006, drawing participants from across Kentucky and beyond.
Polson, a native of Wilmore, Kentucky, went from a walk-on to a scholarship athlete before his freshman year at UK even began. Over his four years at UK, Polson played in 94 games scoring a total of 140 points with a .424 field goal percentage (.313 three-point percentage).
Camps will be conducted at these locations:
- Tuesday, June 4, at Morgan County High School, 150 Road to Success, West Liberty.
- Thursday, June 6, at Nelson County High School, 1070 Bloomfield Road, Bardstown.
- Monday, June 10, at Jackson County High School, 560 Educational Mountain Drive, McKee.
- Tuesday, June 11, at Martin County High School, 137 Hollybush Road, Inez.
- Thursday, June 13, at Lincoln County High School, 60 Education Way, Stanford.
- Tuesday, June 18, at John M. Robsion Arena at Union College, 403 Manchester Street, Barbourville.
- Thursday, June 20, at Bath County High School, 645 Chenault Drive, Owingsville.