LMM Basketball Clinic draws over 70 participants

Participants and coaches of Let’s Move Marianas’ free basketball clinic pose for a group photo last Saturday at the Marianas High School Gymnasium.(MARK RABAGO)

Let’s Move Marianas successfully held a free basketball clinic with over 70 participants taking part in the three-and-a-half hour event last Saturday at the Marianas High School Gymnasium.

Organizer Omar Ajoste said they’re happy with the turnout and are glad that the youth had a worthwhile activity to do with school finally out. 

“We are thankful for the diverse ethnicity that came out to the basketball clinic from ages 4 years old and older…Basketball clinics tend to average 40 participants and we surpassed that in this year’s LMM Basketball Clinic. Moreover, we taught everyone at the LMM Basketball Clinic lessons like basketball 101 basics, defense, cylinder principle, respect, and teamwork,” he said.

The LMM Basketball Clinic started with a zumba session conducted by BIBA Active Community Zumba led by Zin Joseph Caranto. It was followed by an injury prevention session by Commonwealth Health Center Physical Therapy staff Dr. Roberto Marilla.

As for the basketball clinic itself, Ajoste was helped by former national coach Rufino Aguon, certified referee Lito Salas, and 670 Sonics Basketball Club basketball coaches and former basketball players. 

Ajoste, who is the head coach of 670 Sonics, then thanked Let’s Move Marianas, the Division of Youth Services, and the CHCC Public Health Services Non-Communicable Disease Programs for partnering in the free basketball clinic. 

He also gave a shout out to former Basketball Association of the Northern Mariana Islands president Abner Venus, who recently passed, for planting in him the seed of sharing basketball knowledge.. 

Participants of the LMM Basketball Clinic only had good feedback for the event.

Beng Palacios, 14 years old from Marianas High School, said the clinic was a good experience to learn to play basketball.

“My biggest takeaways were playing organized basketball with random people, learning how to play defense, and how to be a better overall player.”

Over 70 players of all ages participated in Let’s Move Marianas’ free basketball clinic. (MARK RABAGO)

Another MHS student, 17-year-old J.C. Ferrer of the Lady Dolphins basketball team, said the basketball clinic was very exciting.

“We got to learn many things like stretching more so you don’t get injured. To me that was probably the most important part of the clinic. They also made us do a 5×5 scrimmage, but here’s the thing. There were no rules and we got to do whatever we wanted. The most important lesson that I learned is that you can learn a lot when there aren’t any rules, because that’s where you can push yourself to the limit,” she said.

Her brother, T.J., also enjoyed not only the 5×5 scrimmage but the 3×3 scrimmage as well.

“It was good, they made us run 5×5 and 3×3 drills as well as the driver’s  defensive drills. They also taught us about driver’s license, that’s when an offensive player is driving the ball in. Overall, it was a good and nice experience.”

The Tanapag Middle School Basketball Team member said the clinic also taught him how to prevent injuries, teamwork, and the keys to playing basketball. 

“But the most important thing I learned is how to work as a team. No matter how good your players are, teamwork always matters. Some teams in the outdoor leagues have one of the best players but no teamwork was built. So this is the most important thing I learned,” he said.

Eleven-year-old Derek and his brother 4-year-old Adrien Dylan Tenorio said they had a lot of fun taking part in the basketball clinic. 

“The kids enjoyed it, especially my youngest son who got to meet new friends. Coaches explained the rules about playing basketball to the kids. The most important lesson was really about sportsmanship,” said their father, Dexter Tenorio.

Derek goes to school at Francisco M. Sablan Middle School, while Adrien Dylan is enrolled at San Antonio Head Start. Both are also members of Basketball Team MadFlex Sports, who Dexter heads.