Joe Worrell and Larry Herrud founded Southeast Idaho Hoops Academy as a way for area kids to learn basic fundamentals of the game of basketball.

    The training was taken to a new level as John Scott, the Basketball Doctor himself, gave a two-day clinic to 20 athletes on Friday and Saturday at the Academy’s building on 206 E. Chubbuck Road.

    “It was fantastic. The kids loved it,” said Worrell, the board chairman of the academy. “(John) really spent time teaching them proper shooting technique. You know, squaring up and getting elbows, shoulders and knees involved. That was the primary focus during the two days.”

    Scott is a former professional athlete and the author of four books on the game, including a college text entitled “The Basketball Book.” The South Jordan, Utah resident has produced over 50 books and instructional videos during his famous career, thus earning him the title of “Basketball Doctor.”

    Since Southeast Idaho Hoops Academy opened its doors in January, a host of young athletes have received topnotch instruction from three experienced coaches: Jim Potter, Jessie Herrud Mennear and Anthony Martin.

    “The thing we love about this place is the kids can come here and play basketball year-round,” said Worrell, who is the Board Chairman of the Academy. “They can get their shots up and get their training. It’s just something we’ve never really had in the community. We built it to allow kids to come and shoot, especially when the weather is poor.”

    Having Scott put on a clinic was another step in Worrell’s dream of seeing athletes learn basic fundamentals.

    Twenty kids were invited to attend the clinic where $150 per athlete paid for the entire event. The small number of participants ensured a more intimate and personal training session from the well-accomplished Basketball Doctor.

    “We did a special invite to kids whom we felt like were talented to the level of learning what he was going to teach,” Worrell said. “We have a lot of kids that were helping, but the kids who want to take their game to the next level and are truly committed to basketball are the ones we invited.”

    Worrell said that the kids who attended the clinic were anywhere from 10 years old to soon-to-be high school seniors. Among the latter were Highland’s Austin Andreasen and Dylan and Dakota Gonzalez. Century sophomore Tanner Mauseth walked in unaware of the clinic and ultimately joined in.

    One might think that Scott’s training wouldn’t properly bridge the gap for such a large age difference.

    Worrell disagrees.

    “At the end of the day shooting a basketball is shooting a basketball,” he said. “Whether you’re in your 40’s or a 10-year-old, there are still techniques and fundamentals.”

    “That’s the great thing about basketball, that’s why this academy was founded and it’s what we base everything on; learning the principles and fundamentals of basketball and mastering them,” he added. “In sports, fundamentals are key.”

    Participants and their parents raved about the camp and the vast knowledge and pointers that Scott provided.

    “The response from the kids and the parents was over the top,” Worrell said.

    Scott is also the owner and founder of www.athleticquest.net, a renowned recruiting service that matches athletes with a school or basketball program that fits their game and needs.

    “I talked to the Gonzalez’s mother and she really liked what was going on,” Worrell said of Scott’s recruiting business. “They were very interested in what John has to offer.”

    Worrell said that he is planning on putting on similar clinics when the opportunity arises. For now he will continue to train local athletes with his already established programs.

    “Classes start in Sept. and our teams are going to start in Oct.,” he said. “Every month we have our signature class, which we call HIT or Hoops Intensity Training. We have a shooting and ball handling class that we provide year round as well.”

    For more information on Southeast Idaho Hoops Academy, visit www.chubbuckbasketballacademy.com.