Operation UNITE’s “Shoot Hoops, Not Drugs” basketball camp, held at Clay County High School, brought together 71 youngsters for a week of drills, competition and mentorship. The program is offered at no cost to participants, ensuring that financial barriers do not prevent any child from taking part.
The camp blends basketball fundamentals with lessons on healthy living and decision‑making, aiming to keep children away from negative influences. By integrating sport with life‑skill instruction, organizers hope to steer youth toward positive goals and healthier lifestyles.
Former Kentucky Wildcat and national champion Jarrod Polson directs the initiative, infusing his own collegiate experience into each session. Polson’s involvement lends the camp a high profile and a direct link to the state’s basketball heritage.
A Legacy of Mentorship
The program traces its roots to Jeff Sheppard, who founded the camp two decades ago. Sheppard’s original vision was to use basketball’s universal appeal to guide young people toward constructive paths. Polson has now taken the reins, preserving that spirit while expanding its reach.
Polson emphasizes that the camp is more than a sports clinic; it is a platform for teaching discipline, teamwork and the value of education. “When you step onto the court, you’re also learning how to navigate life’s challenges,” he says.
Over the coming days the camp will travel to Pike, Wolfe and Nelson counties, delivering the same mix of sport and life‑skill instruction to more communities. Local officials and parents have praised the program for its dual impact, noting reductions in youth outreach incidents in areas where the camp has been hosted.
The free model ensures accessibility regardless of socioeconomic background, and the combination of athletic engagement and mentorship aims to steer young people away from harmful pathways, fostering a generation that chooses “shoot hoops, not drugs.”