Learning from the best

Posted by Sunnie R. Clahchischiligi | Jul 2, 2015 | Basketball |

Rising Stars camp continues to see high number of participants

Diné players hold up the Navajo Nation flag after completing a game on June 22 in Italy under the American’s Team program. The team was made up of high school athletes from the Four Corners area that spent a week in Italy touring the area and playing club softball teams. (Courtesy photo)

FARMINGTON

Stacey Begay, an incoming freshman at Chinle High School, works on dribbling the ball with both hands during the final day of the 21st annual Rising Stars Basketball Camp held June 24-27 at Navajo Preparatory School. (Times photo – Sunnie R. Clahchischiligi)

There is no better way to learn than from the best.

That is what participants of the 21st annual Rising Stars basketball camp learned last week held at Navajo Preparatory School.

About 35 high school and junior high girl’s basketball players learned from former Arizona State University player and Navajo Prep girl’s basketball coach Rainy Crisp, three-time high school state champion Sharon Max, former WNBA Phoenix Mercury player Ryneldi Becenti and former college basketball player and Crisps’ sister Nicole Crisp.

Denise Kee, 15, who plays for Wingate High School, said in her four years attending the camp, she looks forward to what she’ll learn from the former standout basketball players.

“Sharon told us she threw tantrums on the court…I did throw tantrums before then I kind of stopped what she taught me not to do that anymore; be respectful, be calm, be positive and be a leader,” Kee said. “I do want to play college basketball and if I can go further in basketball than yes, I would like to get to their level and teach.”