Back in the gym

Mike McCombs sees the next batch of Devilettes basketball players everywhere: on the playground, in gym class and at youth league games.

The one place he doesn’t see them is at his team’s tryouts.

“There is so much talent in this county that’s not coming out for the school basketball team,” the CCHS girls coach said.

Now that his first year on the Devilettes bench is over, McCombs is spending the offseason working hard to get kids interested in the game he loves.

It started with a series of open gym sessions for his high school players. It continues May 3 when he hosts a basketball clinic for local girls at the CCHS gym. Rising sixth-graders through seniors can participate.

Local basketball guru Lisa Haney, a former Virginia Tech player who has coached at Monticello, Fluvanna County and James River high schools will help the CCHS coaching staff run the event.

She’ll speak to the girls and work with them on basic fundamentals. Players will have the opportunity to work on position-specific skills.

The clinic, which runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., offers players the opportunity to keep their skills sharp and continue to develop. The worst thing a young player can do, McCombs said, is avoid the gym during the offseason.

“You can’t just come out in November and pick up a basketball,” he said.

McCombs’ hope is that the benefits of the camp will be two-fold. Not only will participants have the opportunity to better their skills, they’ll also be able to get to know each other and the middle school and high school coaches they could play for over the next few years.

The high school players have already had 13 open gyms this spring. In addition to the May 3 clinic, McCombs is planning a week-long day camp in June.

Thirty-five girls tried out for the high school teams last winter. McCombs hopes that number keeps going up.

“I’m just trying to spark some interest,” he said.

Jason Simcoe can be reached at 825-0771 ext. 166 or

Want to go?

What: Basketball clinic, hosted by the CCHS girls basketball coaching staff
Who: Girls currently in 5-11th grade
When: Saturday, May 3, 9 a.m to 1 p.m.
Where: CCHS gymnasium
Cost: $15, register the day of the event, 8:30 to 9 a.m.