Players left to right Sam Kozlowski, Brian Dulaney, Nolan Lory, Joe Niemchak

Four members of the Triangle Blazers Class of 2017 attended session one of Davidson Head Coach Bob McKillop’s Basketball Camp.  Sam Kozlowski ( Cary Academy) and Nolan Lory (Grace Christian School) were both named to the All Star Team.  Brain Dulaney, a rising freshman at Cary High School, earned perhaps the camps most prestigious award – the title of Mr. Basketball for his age group. Rather than talking about their own achievements, Kozlowski and Lory seemed more excited to talk about Dulaney.  Brian played great according to Lory.  “Several times he got the rebound and would go coast to coast and finish with a lay up” Lory said smiling like a proud brother.  Coach Michael, Delaney’s club coach who was present for the awards ceremony, thinks footwork and defense helped him to earn the title of Mr. Basketball.  “You could clearly see a difference in Brain’s footwork compared to the other guys on his team and that he played against in the post” Coach Michael said.  “Both Nolan and Brain worked hard in practice all season long in developing their footwork for post moves” according to Coach Michael.  “The drop step baseline is my go-to move” Lory added. When asked to talk about Brain’s defense Coach Michael said  “I love watching him block shots. He is kind of old school like Bill Russell (the former Boston Celtics great who the NBA Finals MVP award is named after) in that he blocks the shot without much fanfare. No dancing around or sticking his chest out like you often see with today’s players.”

While his teammates were talking about him, Dulaney was talking about Niemchak.  “Joe did not play as well as he could because of his injury. He could not run or score the way he usually does, but he still helped his team.”  Niemchak attributes his ability to play despite being in pain and along way from being at 100% to adrenaline, determination and a love of the game.

Wondering if the Bob McKillop camp is right for your son next year?  Niemchak had this to say about his camp experience “Camp was great !!  I got to play lots of basketball and meet new people”.