The Future of Ocracoke Basketball
Tyler Gilbert, David Scott Esham, and Brian Samick head up a group of dedicated volunteers who organize the program every year, and recruit even more volunteers for coaches. Tyler's wife, Daniela, does all the paperwork. Jacqui Kalna orders the team t-shirts. Several dads, a couple of deputies, and a mom are this year's coaches.
The kids pay a registration fee that helps to pay for insurance, t-shirts, and trophies. There are three leagues in the program: Pre-K and Kindergarten, 1st- 3rd grade, and 4th-6th grade.
Every Saturday morning, and many days in between, the teams meet for practice and games. For the youngest league kids in grades pre-K and Kindergarten, the focus is on learning and practicing basketball skills. They don't have set teams, but rotate the kids around when they play games. Tyler Gilbert, Lena Donlon, Vince O'Neal, and Matt DeVan are the coaches for the little youngens. Despite their little legs, even the pre-K and K kids play on the full court. They do get the baskets lowered a bit for them.
There are three teams in the 1st-3rd grade league, the Lakers, the Gators, and the Wolves (team names are chosen by team players.) Their coaches are Red Harrell and Bubbie Boos; David Scott Esham and Jason Elicker; and John Kattenburg, William Boyd, and Cole Boyd; respectively.
The 4th -6th grade league also had three teams, the Celtics, Knicks, and Pumas. They're led by Tyler Gilbert and Bill Evans; Brian Samick and John Kattenburg; and Jason Wells and Daniel Palacios.
Deputy and dad Shane Bryan helped out one Saturday when I went to take pictures. He's really happy with OYC basketball.
"They didn't have nothing like this when I was growing up," he said. "It's great. It keeps them moving and keeps them active."
The whole community will have a chance to see these future Dolphins in action during Friday's Homecoming festivities. The youth basketball games begin at 4pm (concessions sales start then, too!) Come on out to the Ocracoke School gym to see what these kids have learned!
