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Sports

ROHS Coaches to Host Basketball Clinic

Kids and parents to get together on the court at Royal Oak Middle School on Saturday.

Saturday morning, parents and children in first through sixth grades will learn basketball skills at from the varsity level coaches from , including new boys basketball coach Mike Massucci.

Massucci, who comes to Royal Oak from and girls head coach Brian Sopata will host a clinic 9-11 a.m. The session will bring parents and kids together to interact, learn and have fun while working on basketball skills.

"We've got about 40 families (signed up) and that's over 50 kids. We're fired up and excited about the type of enthusiasm that spreads with this idea and this camp," Massucci said. "I've done these camps before and it’s been a hit."

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In running the camp, the coach has three goals in mind.

"One is for me to meet a lot of the young families in Royal Oak," he said. "And two, we want to build and create an energy and excitement about basketball in the community. And we want the parents and kids to leave with specific drills and ideas to take home and work on."

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There will also be a special guest on hand, Detroit Pistons assistant coach and Detroit native Steve Hetzel.

"Hetzel enters his third season as a member of the Pistons coaching staff with emphasis on player development," Massucci explained. "He's a 2005 graduate of Michigan State University where he spent two years working with the men's basketball team as a student manager."

Sopata, the girls coach, also looks forward to the opportunity to reach out to the community.

"As a Royal Oak teacher, coach and resident I am really looking forward to seeing so many people from the Royal Oak community coming together to learn about the game of basketball," he said. "Working with the young people in our community is always a rewarding experience."

Both coaches will have their varsity players helping out as well.

"Mike and I believe a great deal in giving back to the community," Sopata said. "I think it's always an excellent opportunity to have players volunteer their time to help others. We tell our players that they are role models in the school and community. Events like this help them to see this."

If you want to attend

What: parent-child basketball clinic for first-sixth graders

When: 9-11 a.m. Saturday

Where: Royal Oak Middle School, 709 Washington Ave.

Cost: $25 per parent/child pair. Each additional child is $5. Make cec

What else: All proceeds benefit the varsity basketball program. If you have any questions, contact Massucci at coachmassucci@gmail.com

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