Photo by Doc Smith Brook HIll's new head basketball coach, Wally Dawkins gives opening instructions to campers in one of two sessions held this past week at the Brook Hill Lower School gymnasium. The impact of new head basketball coach, Wally Dawkins has already made a vast change for the Brook Hill basketball program, as he and his staff held the first-ever, Wally Dawkins Brook Hill Basketball camp this past week.

Two sessions daily last week accounted for 96 campers, 47in the younger group, 49 at the mid-day session at the Brook Hill Lower School Gymnasium.

"It was a great turnout for this being the first time for me to do this at Brook Hill," said the former Whitehouse head basketball coach now in his first year at the helm of The Guard.

"We had a great staff, and we could see improvement in the kid's each day they came out, worked hard and were one of the most attentive groups I have had in a camp before," Dawkins commented.

Joining Dawkins with staff instruction included his former assistant at Whitehouse, and now Wells High School head coach, Mike Ward. Class 4A, first team, all-state player from Whitehouse, Kyle Ford came over to aid his old coach, while current Guard players like Mason Spradlin, and Tyler Baker chipped in as well.

Former Brook Hill standouts, Spencer Denman and Gretchen Puffer also were also on hand to lead the daily workouts and add to the successful week of basketball.

"I think all the kid's really enjoyed themselves and they were all a very attentive group so it was fun working with kid's that were wanting to learn, and not just pass some time," Dawkins added. "I think we had kid's come in from six different schools too, so that was encouraging that we are making positive steps at Brook Hill and we are working toward building a successful basketball program."

(To contact Doc Smith, email him at, news@bullardnews.com)