Game Time Basketball Camp held in South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A basketball camp that was close to never happening, turned into the biggest and most successful camp yet for Game Time Basketball Camps at the South Tahoe Recreation and Swim Complex.

Sixty-seven kids took to the court over the course of the first four days of the camp. Most of the kids were from the South Lake Tahoe and Stateline (El Dorado and Douglas county communities) who had been eagerly awaiting the camp, and they were joined by kids from hundreds of miles away.

This was the eleventh time the camp was in South Lake Tahoe. They had to take a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic.

The camp made it convenient for parents, with kids being able to attend half-day for three hours, or full-day for six hours, as well as the ability to do two, three, or four days.

An unplanned fifth day was added at the request of some players and parents, as well as to accommodate some on the waiting list.

Coach Gil Llewellyn, owner and founder of the camp, has an extensive, yet unusual, background of working with, playing with, or otherwise engaging with players of virtually all levels.

Llewellyn says:
“Any time spent will be beneficial.”
“We tailor our approach to each and every player that attends.”
“the more time you spend, the more immersion, and the better you get, and the more fun you can have, and great memories you can make.”

Both boys and girls from 6-17 attended with skill levels ranging from beginners to advanced.

“We’re having so much fun, and definitely learning and getting quite a sweat,” said 10-year-old brothers Jaimin and Brayden.

Coach Llewellyn says the focus of the camp, from a basketball perspective, is to impart overall concepts that are instinctively employed by the very best present-day players, such as what Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson (or legends Magic Johnson and “Pistol” Pete Maravich) do daily.

The camp focused on practicing ball-handling - including passing and receiving, the various techniques used while the ball is in your hands, and the “gateway” skill, to create more opportunities for players and your teammates to take and make shots.

The four words that comprise that overall concept are ATTACK. PROTECT. CREATE. And FINISH!, and serve as the overall embracive focus of the camp experience, said Llewelyn. His process was simple - bring a basketball, get ready to learn, put in some hard work, and have fun engaging in the various tried-and-true drills needed to facilitate progressive development while also playing in various settings from 1 on 1, to 5 on 5 games.

Tabitha, 17, is a varsity basketball player and was not only an attendee but an assistant coach at camp. She is a veteran of the camp, having attended for many years. Tabitha said the camp was so attended the camp for many years and said the camp “was really fun,” as she got help with her shooting. She said she gained a newfound respect for the intricacies of helping a wide range of players stay safe, putting in some hard work, learning, and having fun, too.

Her older brother Trevor, a long-time attendee of the camp, made out it for the 5th bonus day of camp as part of his continuing journey into coaching and working with kids.

There was also Tyg, aged 13, who recently moved to South Lake Tahoe from Alaska. “It was pretty challenging, being able to play against the older and bigger kids”, said Tyg who is already an advanced and skilled player. “I am pretty sore from all the running we did.”

Other long-time experienced fellow coaches and players of the game, and good friends and former teammates of Coach Gil, also traveled to South Lake Tahoe to conduct the camp – Coach David Vik and Coach Trey Putnam. Players from over 100 countries have been coached between the three. There were also two assistant coaches, Tabitha as mentioned above, and Christian.

From an overall life perspective, and what Coach Gil, has called “the bigger arena beyond just the game,” basketball represents opportunity. An opportunity to enhance one’s life, and the lives of those around you, beyond just the competitive pursuits of the game.

Hopefully, Llewellyn adds “that process lends itself to realizing that ‘Cooperation’, not competition, is far more important, in life overall, and from a worldwide perspective, at the end of the day – no matter what age and stage of life.”

“And, that a healthy and empowering dose of competition, that challenges each individual just right, even if that competition is simply being a better you than you were the day before, undoubtedly can make a positive difference," said Llewellyn.

Coach Gil would like to send special thanks to local parent Stephanie, whose 9-year-old son attended, for getting the ball rolling, to Emily, of the South Tahoe Recreation and Swim Complex, and for all the parents that supported the camp this year, and are already looking forward to next year.

About $1600 worth of portable baskets were also donated to the Recreation Center after the camp.

For anyone who wants more info about the Game Time Basketball Camps’ experience, and upcoming events, contact Coach Gil Llewellyn at 805-729-5539.

Story provided by Gil Llewellyn and Game Time Basketball.