Over 75 kids show up to Mt. Zion youth basketball camp

MT. ZION, Ill. (WAND) - The Mt. Zion Braves boys' basketball team hosted its youth basketball camp this week at the school.

About 75 kids showed up for the four-day schedule.

The camp was led by new Braves head coach Felipe Phillips, assistant coaches and MTZ basketball players.

"There's no better feeling than to work these young kids. You get a chance to be the first one to try to show them that interest in basketball, and get your skill level to the point where they can actually shoot the ball up to the basket," Phillips said. "That takes my breath away, man, when you see that. You got kids who can't shoot the first day, second day they're hitting the rim, and the last they're making shots."

Phillips said he's finally getting the chance to see what his squad could look like next season.

What he's looking for in the early practice sessions of the summer.

"Right now it's all about discipline. Playing tough, playing hard every single possession and being there for each other. Understanding the part of execution. I have some great players out here right now and my job is to make them better, try to maximize the best out of them," Phillips said.

Mt. Zion will travel to Purdue for a team camp this weekend. They'll play in three exhibition games.