Flight 22 Camp begins in Pender and New Hanover Counties

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — More than 60 teams began playing today in the Flight 22 team camp happening all across the area. At the end of the day, the teams are playing to win. But the camp offers much more for players and coaches.

Teams from all over North Carolina came to several schools including New Hanover High School to compete in the Flight 22 basketball team camp. The three day camp gives teams from our area competition from across the state while they prepare for the 2017 season here in the summer.

“With us it’s our seniors leading and teaching these new girls exactly what their roles are going to be,” New Hanover Head Coach Larry Sampson said. “So this is a great way to set that foundation for the upcoming season.”

Larry Sampson is taking over for Vertha Dixon-Wright as the girl’s head coach for New Hanover High School, so this time is valuable to get his team on the right path. But the players benefit from the camps as well.

“Extra gym time, we get more time in the gym,” Freddy Taylor, New Hanover Basketball, said. “I could’ve played with Hanover but I chose not to so one of our former teammates could play with us in this tournament. My team has stuck around for a long time, since the ninth grade. Ninth grade we won a National Championship. So it’s fun every year and every summer putting in the work for it.”

There have been several players who played in Flight 22 basketball camps who have gone on to have great careers, like New Hanover’s former star Kadeem Allen. Allen says the work being put in is worth it, especially for our local schools.

“It’s good exposure,” Allen said. “It gives the kids an opportunity to play in front of the home team, crowd, all the friends and family. It’s just a great opportunity.”

The camp continues until Wednesday.