By Donna Lampkin Stephens
Lonoke Democrat
A trip to the Kansas University team camp has been the highlight of summer work for the Lonoke basketball Jackrabbits.
Dean Campbell took his team to Lawrence, Kan., June 17-19.
“They got to see everything up there, and every team we played was from a different state,” Campbell said. “There were teams from 14 states, and I really believe it was an eye-opener for our guys and what direction we need to go.
“I learned a lot about them, and I’m pretty sure they learned a lot about themselves.”
Kylan Branscomb, a 6-3 1/2 rising senior, agreed.
“I got a lot out of it,” he said. “I learned I need to get better on my leadership to bring the team together. We saw a lot of good teams with a lot of good shooters, so we know we need to work on our defense a lot more.”
But perhaps the Jackrabbits grew as much off the court as they did on it.
“We got to bond between games,” Branscomb said. “We played pool, ping pong. Then everybody feels more comfortable with each other.”
Campbell, who grew up in Kansas, said he had tried to get the Jackrabbits to such a team camp before, but schedules didn’t work out.
“I have a lot of friends up in that area,” he said. “It’s a chance to see my old high school coach who I haven’t seen in close to 25 years. It was good to be able to spend quite a bit of time with him.”
Brandon Schneider, the women’s coach at KU, was Campbell’s college roommate at Wayland Baptist.
“It’s good for our guys to be able to get out and see different things,” Campbell said. “I think that’s part of what our job is.”
Other summer work for the Jackrabbits has included two days in Branson, Mo., (basketball and a trip to the White Water park for more team building); and a two-day camp at Russellville. After the Arkansas Activities Association’s mandated dead period through July 9, they will attend another team camp at Pulaski Academy July 13-15.
“We’ve also had weights three times a week, and (except for the dead period), the gym’s open every day for the guys to come in and do skill work as much as they want to,” Campbell said. “June was a pretty productive month, and I think it’ll get better with July. We’ll slow down on the team camps but pick up and get them better individually.”
He praised the summer work of Branscomb, who averaged just over 15 points per game over the last 17 games of the season, as well as other rising seniors Isaac Toney (whom he called “one of our highest basketball IQ guys”), Tyler Spencer and Haven Hunter.
“And we’ve got four sophomores we’re excited about,” Campbell said. “I like our group. I know they’re good kids. I don’t dread coming to work.”
Branscomb said the Jackrabbits know the hard work now will pay off in a few months.
“If we don’t put in the work now, then the season will be terrible,” he said. “We’re building on the court and off the court, hitting the weight room and getting stronger.”
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