Parker Salomon
Staff Writer
For the second year in a row, Mira Costa’s girls basketball teams have to assisted friendship circle in improving its basketball skills at American Martyrs Gym every Sunday.
The program began on January 3, and will continue for the next eight weeks. During the program, girls from Mira Costa’s basketball teams teach kids, ages six to 18, from Friendship Circle basketball skills.
“It is a very enjoyable experience to teach the kids how to play basketball,” sophomore Jennifer Brooks. “The kids are very happy that we come and the experience is very fulfilling.”
Girls basketball originally got involved with Friendship Circle because the team saw how Manhattan Beach youth basketball began to volunteer for the organization. The team then contacted the head of Friendship Circle for the South Bay, Silas Cole, who allowed girls from Mira Costa’s basketball teams to come and volunteer.
“Friendship Circle is a great organization, and I love to help out and be apart of what they do,” sophomore Haley Herdman said. “It brings a smile to my face knowing that we make kids have fun.”
The program now has every player from all three Mira Costa basketball levels teaching kids from friendship circle basketball skills every Sunday for the basketball season. On average, about fifteen girls from Costa attend the program every Sunday.
“It is really rewarding to show the kids how to play basketball,” Brooks said. “We all have a passion for basketball so it is really enjoyable to help out kids who couldn’t normally play.”
At first, the kids from Friendship Circle are broken into different age categories. The girls then do warm up drills with the kids to get their blood pumping. After that, the girls teach the kids basic drills ranging from shooting to dribbling depending on the children’s age or skill level.
“Our goal is to bring everyone together and to give the kids from friendship circle an enjoyable experience,” sophomore Kelli Toyoka said. “It is a great way to spend a Sunday morning, and it is fun for everyone.”
At the end of each Sunday, the program is ended with a giant scrimmage with the kids from Friendship Circle and the girls from basketball. The game gets everyone involved, and it is a great way to ensure the kids get plenty of exercise.
“The big team game at the end brings everyone together, and it is a great bonding experience for the girls on basketball and the kids at friendship circle,” Toyoka said.
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