The Cadet Hoops Report - Getting You Up to Speed:
“With nothing going on during the shut down (Covid-19), they were literally asking everyday when the program was going to start back up,” said Jenn Nugent, a parent of two children in the program. “Now that they’re back I realized the program is so much more than basketball. Cadet Hoops has built a true sense of community centered around friendship, respect for one another and fun.”
When Cadet Hoops and the Knicks had a clinic of all clinics on February 8th, there was no indication of what was ahead. The gym was hopping with over 100 kids enjoying a fun afternoon of instructional and inspiring basketball. Working in tandem that day were Knicks representatives, including legendary player Larry Johnson, and Cadet Hoops coaches, all teaming up to bring out the best in the local kids. Then just weeks later, it all changed.
Fortunately for Cadet Hoops founder and director Brain Prioleau, the winter came to a successful conclusion with an awards ceremony on March 6. That would be the final aspect of normalcy for Cadet Hoops and for that matter, the world.
The spring season at Cadet Hoops was left up to, “what could have been,” when COVID-19 hit in full force in mid March. The next session was slated to begin on April 6th with 121 registered participants- by far the best numbers in the brief history of the program. Coach Brian’s vision for Cadet Hoops was becoming a reality. Unfortunately, the program shifted into pandemic mode.
“First, all in person visits came to an immediate end,” said Coach Brian. “Then our creativity hit new levels with virtual training. As state regulations loosened in late June we began in-person social distance trainings, following all CDC health guidelines.”
Once back in the gym, it definitely wasn’t business as usual. Cadet Hoops had a maximum of 10 kids in the gym per session for 90 minutes, always with an awareness to follow all CDC social distancing guidelines.
“While I am keenly aware of how much fun it is to play basketball,” said Coach Brian, “and all the educational benefits it has to offer. First and foremost my focus was to make sure the environment was safe, secure and sanitized at all times.”
More than ever sports, and, especially, youth sports during this time is vital in providing a healthy outlet for kids, allowing them to get lost in the world of play.
“Our current community was extremely affected by Covid -19,” said Coach Brian. “The kids no longer had an outlet for expression and when you remove that, the opposite can occur and depression can become the new reality.
In this new world, we are more essential than ever.”
Cadet Hoops will continue to incorporate small group instructional sessions and continue to find new and innovative methods of connecting with all youth participants.
Written by Mike Cohen
In addition to being the volunteer Sports Information Director for Cadet Hoops, Mike Cohen is also the Founder/Director of Throwback Sports, a sports and educational program for people of all abilities and the Sports Editor of Education Update.