Bainbridge High School Bearcats head basketball coach Rickey McCullough had a couple of key goals in mind this Monday week as he hosts his annual Bainbridge-Decatur County YMCA Basketball Camp for boys and girls 8 years old and older.

“I want our young campers to have some fun while learning the fundamentals of the game,” the Bearcats coach said. “The fundaments we are working on include ball handling, field goal shooting, foul shooting, dribbling, passing and defense.”

While recording more than 800 career victories, coach McCullough has had outstanding players and teams in Florida and Georgia. He coached 31 years in Florida before coming to Bainbridge High School nine years ago. He coached one year at Cottondale Florida High School, three years at Liberty County High School in Bristol, Florida, and 27 years at Chipley Florida High School. He recorded his 800th victory on January 14, 2014, when his Bearcats defeated the Miller County High School Pirates 72-58 in Colquitt.

In 2010, coach McCullough was inducted into the Florida Association of Basketball Coaches Court of Legends Florida Circle of Champions Hall of Fame.

“Whether a youngster is playing on their YMCA team, their middle school or high school team or are just involved in a pick up game with their friends, being fundamentally sound is very important,” McCullough said. “However this camp is not all about basketball. During camp I am also talking to the youngsters about personal discipline and sportsmanship while emphasizing Christian values.”

Young camp brothers Isaiah Farmer and Jayvion Holt talked about how much they have enjoyed camp.

“I really enjoyed learning the cross over dribble and proper shooting form,” Farmer said. Holt added, “I liked learning t he importance of setting your feet before taking a foul shot.”

See pages 4B and 5B for more photos from the camp.