A few months ago, while taking in the annual Westview Grade 5-6 basketball tournament, I spotted a diamond in the rough.
The athlete had height. And you can’t create height.
The athlete had athletic talent. And you can’t create athletic talent.
The athlete also had an instinctive feel for the game. And you can’t create that all important X Factor.
So the offer was placed on the table for the athlete to attend the 44th Legion Athletic Camp.
Located at the International Peace Garden on the Manitoba/North Dakota border, this six- week multi-sport camp has gained an international rep for its programs.
So off to camp we sent Fort McMurray, Alberta’s very own Skyanne Patey.
Patey, one of 12 local athletes to attend the camp this summer, held her own during her seven days of hoops. At 11 years-of-age Patey was the youngest hoopster at the camp.
“At first you don’t realize that she is that young because of her physical presence,” said Coach Mark Neves of the 5-foot-8 athlete from Beacon Hill School. “She is athletic, strong and looks much older but needs to work on the fundamentals.
“When you talk to her you then realize that she is young. She has some basic knowledge of the game and good instinct and with practice; she can, looking at her right now, be an impact player in the (senior) high school ranks.”
On a personal note, having the opportunity to watch Patey all week in-between my duties of camp administrator, I was impressed on how calm she was on the court despite the fact that she was learning many new facets of the game.
Neves echoed the observation.
“She is committed to improving. She is a quick learner and willing to learn and change
And the desire to do it. She is a positive kid willing to take instruction and apply it to her game.”
Her major weakness, even viewed while playing at the Westview tourney a few months back, was her shooting form.
“It needs a lot of work,” admits Neves. “But it too has improved within a few days.”
Starting basketball in Grade 5, Patey states that she is proud of her height and rightfully so.
Of her week at camp, her comments were, “It’s been fun with a lot of drills, games and tournaments and I learned all about different types of plays.
“I got to learn a lot more here then I would playing school sports because the coaches just coach basketball.”
Patey was one of 89 players attending Week 4 of basketball. More than 1,100 athletes will attend the program which concludes August 20.
Patey, a member of Fort McMurray’s Under 12 girl’s rep soccer team plans to return to the Legion Athletic Camp in 2006 for two weeks with basketball and soccer the focus.
And don’t be surprised if this diamond in the rough turns into a golden girl of Fort McMurray sports.
Catch you on the rebound.
