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By KC Smith

Cooleemee Correspondent

June 17-19 completed another successful Grimes Parker Basketball Camp.

It happens every year at the Cooleemee Elementary School gym.

Volunteer coaches show up on time as campers check in to pick up their uniforms and gather on center court to learn what to expect.

Soon after that, the glass windows at the top of the gym begin to shake, running tennis shoes making screeching sounds, bouncing balls, and loud voices of couches delivering directions to the campers commence.

That’s how it goes, each year. It’s old hat, most would say.

But for some, it was different.

Coach Clement Fleming was there at center court to greet the campers with an empty chair beside him that held his partner’s cap that he wore to all previous camps.

Coach Grimes “Bimmy” Parker passed away this year and for the first time in 15 years, the camp carried on without him.

Parker was the founder of the camp and he had a deep passion and dedication to the kids of Cooleemee and wanted to make a difference.

Without question the family was present this year as they have always been. It has always been their desire to see the camp live on.

Coach Parker and Coach Clement were good friends and standing alone in front of the campers wasn’t easy, but Coach Clement is a strong leader and stood up to the challenge in the midst of adversity.

Going into the gym that first day was surreal.

I found myself looking round for Coach Parker. When I saw the back of Coach Epps, I thought for a second, oh there he is, then of course, I fell back into reality.

Coach Monty Gray had a moment of silence for Coach Parker and as busy as Monty Gray is in his career, it’s always special to have him at the camp even if it’s for part of a day.

Steven Parker, Coach Parker’s son, always volunteers and he was with his wife Dana, and sons, Bodie and Crosby.

Steven has a good eye for talent and he pulled one camper to the side to give one-on-one scrimmage and advice.

Coach Parker’s granddaughter, Somer Johnson,  started playing basketball at the camp when she was in kindergarten. Honored to be a second year basketball student from Brevard College, she was there to teach skills to the campers.

Coach Eric Epps, retired from West Middle School, Andrew Mitchell, girl’s Statesville Senior High School, Coach Mike Gurley, JV boys Faith Academy,  all three volunteer each year.

Coach Breanna Evans, girls East Rowan, brought some of her players and they were like spit fires. Coach Evans had those campers running and jumping and best of all they loved her.

Watching the campers master the game of “Pack Man” was fun. A certain group were Pac Man and all others had to stay on the lines of the court going right, left, up and down.  Pac Man touch you, you were out.  They looked like a swarm of bees and they had a great time.

The camp is offered to rising kindergarteners to rising fifth graders. They each went home wearing their uniforms, back pack, and basketball. A chance of a life time for young minds to  be exposed to such top notch leadership.  All for $20.

Thank you Fran Parker, coaches and all the volunteers and for making it all happen.