FARMINGTON — Intent on following the moves of Maine Red Claws players during a basketball clinic held Monday at Dunkin’ Donuts, no one seemed bothered by the heat. Apparently, it was too much fun.
About 30 children from ages and older followed drills, stretched and played games led by Red Claws players, Eugene Spates and Kenny Hayes, in the Dunkin’ Donuts parking lot at Mt. Blue Shopping Plaza.
The clinic, the ninth of 12, held at Dunkin’Donut locations throughout the state this month is one of the last four taking place this week , said Cam Twiss, basketball operations manager for the Maine Red Claws from Portland. Players will be in Thomaston on Tuesday, Auburn on Wednesday and Lisbon Falls on Thursday.
Hayes was named the league’s most improved player this year, and Spates played a couple years ago, Twiss said.
For Wilton Recreation Travel Team player, George Edmunds, 12, of Wilton, the annual free clinic means his play just “gets better,” he said between dribbles.
The drills and skills taught were good over the last two years the clinic was held here, his mother, Angela, said as she an other parents photographed the action. He repeated the drills afterwards at home.
The players also stay after the clinic for photos and autographs, she said.
The Edmunds have attended a few Maine Red Claws games in Portland.
“They’re like the Sea Dog games, very family oriented,” she said.
After missing the session in Skowhegan, Jennifer Hampton of Canaan brought her three grandchildren to Farmington on Monday. All three, Jenna Hampton, 9, Marcus Hampton, 8, and Dennis Weed, 8, played basketball this year and did well, she said.
“This is a good experience for them,” she said.
Even three-year-old Emily Henseler of Maryland watched and mimicked the moves of her cousin Bradie Reynolds, 11, as her grandmother, Charlie Woodcock, watched.
“They do a great job. I learned a few things myself,” said Dan Silvestre, local Dunkin’ Donuts owner, as he watched the Maine Red Claws players work with the children.
This is the third year his coffee shop has sponsored the clinic. Dunkin’ Donuts unites with the Red Claws to promote sports to youth, he said.
Country music radio station 98.5 announcer, Andy Simones, better known on the radio as Andy Capwell, provided regular commentaries live from the scene.
abryant@sunjournal.com
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- Emily Henseler, 3, of Maryland, right, keeps pace with other children during basketball drills at the Red Claws/Dunkin Donuts clinic held Monday in Farmington. Emily passes the ball to her cousin, Bradie Reynolds, 11, left. Both girls are granddaughters of Chan and Charlie Woodcock of Farmington. Emily’s brothers, Aidan, Treven and Noah, also participated.
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- Eugene Spakes, left, and Kenny Hayes, from the Maine Red Claws, lead a basketball clinic for area children Monday at the Dunkin’ Donuts on Wilton Road.
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- Eugene Spates,right, of the Maine Red Claws teaches a basketball drill as player Kenny Hayes, middle front, works with area children during a basketball clinic held Monday at Dunkin’ Donuts in Farmington.
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- Kenny Hayes, left, of the Maine Red Claws waits for the ball passed by Jack Sullivan of Chesterville, right, at the RedClaws/Dunkin’Donuts basketball clinic held Monday on Wilton Road in Farmington.
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