Sports

Gallery: February Vacation Basketball Camp Teaches Stoughton Youth Lessons On and Off the Court

Photos from a February Vacation basketball camp offered by the Stoughton Recreation Department and sponsored by the office of Norfolk County District Attorney Michael Morrissey.

Continuing the partnership between the Stoughton Recreation Department and the Norfolk County District Attorney's Office, which has resulted in a popular three-day summer basketball clinic, the two organizations made the camp available to Stoughton youth this past week during February vacation.

About 40 children spanning grades 3 through 8 attended the DA's Basketball Clinic held the mornings Feb. 19, 20 and 21 at the O'Donnell Middle School gym. 

In addition to drills, this three-day clinic also stresses the positive influence participating in sports can have off the court as well.  

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The clinic was organized by Stoughton resident Paul Wilder, who works for Norfolk Country District Attorney Michael Morrissey. Stoughton resident Carl Boen, a former basketball coach at Southeastern Regional, helped to run a number of drills over the three-day camp.

As usual, the campers were treated to a number of special guests.

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Stoughton native John Fanning, a former Stoughton Police officer who is now a State Police Trooper assigned to the Norfolk County DA's office, spoke at the start of the clinic last Tuesday morning. He said sports helped to change his life by helping him stay busy, disciplined, obedient and in shape. He stressed the importance of teamwork and doing "something for the greater good."

Assistant District Attorney Peggie Krippendorf also spoke about the importance of teamwork and other life lessons she learned from playing basketball, including communication and time management.

The Stoughton High boys' basketball team stopped by last Wednesday to help coach Boen run drills.

Stoughton head coach John Gallivan was joined by assistants Steve Woodruff, Evan Taylor, Joe Powers and Joe Powers, Jr., as well as members of the program - Joey Wilder (Paul's son), Joe Bunce-Grenon, Mike Gallagher, Mauro Oliveira, Stanley Sajous, Andrew Valle, Aaron Mack, Matt Mack, Melvin Amado and David Bunce-Grenon.

Stonehill College men's basketball senior captain Sam Markle also ran some drills last Wednesday. The criminology major is an intern at DA Morrissey's office. 

Stoughton Recreation Director John Denison was on hand to see the action.

The camp was offered at a modest fee of $15 per camper. Some of cost of running the camp came from forfeiture police confiscate from drug dealers, including cash, cars, and sometimes even homes.

The forfeiture helps to fund this camp as well as other drug preventative programs in the county.

Take a look at photos from the camp in the media gallery of this article. 


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