Regional run fuels enthusiasm at Indians Basketball Camp – 

By Mark Carpenter – 

It is no big secret that success breeds success in any high school program, and that has been especially true in the distinguished eras of Peebles High School boys basketball. For Coach Josh Arey and his staff, a regional tournament run last winter brought a renewed enthusiasm in the Indians’ program and that showed late last month when Arey and staff hosted their annual Basketball Camp.
“Camp went really well this year,” said Coach Arey. “The first three days we did a lot of skill things and then spent the final day with some competitions that the kids enjoy, and importantly, we had good numbers.”
Thirty-five boys from grades 2-6 spent four afternoons as future Indians, working on the fundamentals of basketball and perhaps most important, having fun in the process. Besides Coach Arey and his staff of JV coach Chris Reed, Freshman coach Michael Walls, and the “always in the gym” Dayne Puckett, a number of the Peebles high school players were on hand to lend their assistance to the camp efforts.
‘The high school kids have been great,” added Coach Arey. “It’s important for the smaller kids coming in to see these high school players. These high school kids are their LeBron James, so it’s a big deal for them, plus it is what keeps our program relevant, rolling over our success.”
“Tanner (Arey) came up to camp one day and the young kids were so excited just to see him and I think that is how programs stay good, go down to the younger levels and light a fire with those kids. Hopefully, last year’s success will continue to do that.”

Competition was spirited at the 2018 Peebles Indians Basketball Camp, held from May 29-June 1 at PHS.

After his amazing performance in the Peebles tourney run, junior-to-be Weston Browning was the hit of the camp, always surrounded by youngsters looking to glean just a bit of basketball knowledge from the Indians’ point guard.
“I love just teaching these kids the fundamentals and seeing the joy they have for the game,” said Browning. “They really want to play, you can tell. You can tell that as camp went on, they are really picking up all of the simple drills. It’s nice that some of these kids mention and remember what we did last year at the Convo.”
Another of the high school “helpers” was Dawson Mills, who was a regular last season on the Peebles JV squad.
“I love coming out here and helping the kids get better, continuing the Peebles legacy, that’s what it’s all about,” said Mills on the final day of camp. “The kids have really improved since the first day of camp and their game is growing as is their enthusiasm.”
The campers for the May 29-June 1 camp included: Grady Myers, Liam Farahay, Kanton Byers, Cooper Meade, Toryn Palmer, Gage Smart, Carson Reed, Braylen Stephens, Landen Storer, Colyn Sims, Brody Smith, Hayden Browning, Brayden Davis, Andy McFarland, Tanner Bennington, Payton Johnston, Garrett Shiveley, Dylon Purtee, Ty Smith, Flint Garrison, Drew Wilson, Jonathan Nichols, Bo Johnson, Trenton White, Hearlie Schutte, Christan McDonald, Ethan Chamblin, Gage Bennington, Walker Newman, Kash Hayslip, Starling Chamblin, Caleb Phipps, Alex Scott, and Nash Grooms.
High school athletes on hand to assist were: Weston Browning, Dawson Mills, Kyle Lightner, Hunter White, Gage Crothers, Garrett Workman, Alex Camp, Dylan Shulaw, Bryce Willoughby, Brock Johnson, Oakley Burba, Alan McCoy, Brennan Kyle, and Easton Wesley.