by Angel Goodrich, coaches teach fundamentals to youth
By Darren DeLaune/Muscogee Nation News Reporter
OKMULGEE, Okla. — The Muscogee (Creek) Nation Tourism and Recreation Department and the Tulsa Shock combined efforts to hold a youth basketball clinic Dec. 13 at the Mvskoke Dome building in Okmulgee.
Nearly 100 children, ages 9-14 came for an afternoon filled with fun, excitement and an emphasis on learning.
Tulsa Shock Head Coach Fred Williams and guard Angel Goodrich (Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma), along with several other coaches taught basketball fundamentals to the children.
“We always have the support of the community so we want to be able to give back somehow,” Williams said. “This is one of the ways to do that. “
TR Director William Lowe was excited about the turnout.
“It is always great to see the children come out,” Lowe said. “The kids are making an effort and keeping themselves active.”
Lowe stressed that the Mvskoke Dome is here to help keep citizens active and healthy.
“The youth want to make a difference,” Lowe said. “They are making that effort to staying active and use the facility here and anytime that we have clinics such as this; they are taking that advantage to helping themselves to get better.”
Goodrich, who has been around basketball her whole life, taught the same fundamentals she learned to make herself better.
“These kids were great. They were fun and wanted to learn everything that they could in the time that we were here,” Goodrich said.
Goodrich echoed Lowe’s sentiments about keeping children active.
“You see a lot of kids on the phone playing games and sitting around,” Goodrich said. “It is hard to see that because you want them exercising and being active and electronics are taking a lot of their time.”
After the clinic, an autograph session was held with Williams and Goodrich and the youth were presented with a free T-shirt.
(This story was used with the permission of the Muscogee Nation News department. All rights reserved to MNN.)
