MVP Basketball Camp a big hit with kids

NEW PORT RICHEY — The New Port Richey Recreation Center was a popular spring break destination this year — and not just because of its pools.

About 20 area kids spent this week in the gymnasium for the MVP Basketball Camp, coached by Chris Kolaxis. Originally an instructor and coach of elementary, middle and high school teams in Chicago, Kolaxis used to hold Saturday clinics at a YMCA. There he saw the need for improved teaching methods that showed players how they might use certain moves in a game, as opposed to repetitive drilling.

"This is my first year doing weeklong camps," said Kolaxis, 32, who now lives in Port Richey. "There is a huge demand for it down here, and with the difference in the weather, it was a pretty easy decision for me to come down here."

The camps mostly focus on the fundamentals, but Kolaxis doesn't hesitate to squeeze in some advanced material where he can.

"With this being a spring break camp, I try to keep it fun," Kolaxis said. "But we'll work on a lot of things, ranging from basic passing and dribbling to skills (that) high school and college players are learning."

The players praised Kolaxis as an instructor who is both challenging and understanding. His camps help them grow as players — and Kolaxis doesn't shout at them for poor form.

"It's really cool that there is a camp like this for kids like us," said 11-year-old Josue Erazo. "He's a really nice guy and an awesome coach that can teach us a lot of things to get to the next level. I'm here to get better as a basketball player and I think he's a great coach that can help me do that."

Others like 12-year-old Larry Couch know Kolaxis from outside the MVP program, but like the teaching so much that Couch spent his week off from school at the camp.

"I play for his team in fastbreak basketball and I just like that he's nice and is more about just helping us out as players," Couch said. "He lets us have a say in what we do instead of giving orders and making us do drills.

"I'm glad I'm here," Couch added, "because if I didn't do this, I'd just be at home playing video games or something."

David Rice can be reached at davidrice83@gmail.com.