Sporting chiseled arms, powerful legs and a 6-foot-8-inch frame, Kirk Archibeque certainly fits the profile of a professional basketball player.
What stood out during Archibeque’s four-day basketball camp at Montezuma-Cortez High School on July 17-20, was not the former M-CHS standout’s own skills on the hardwood however, but rather, his ability to teach the game to up-and-coming players.
Roughly 120 players between third grade and high school attended the four-day camp, which featured instruction from Archibeque and several other local coaches, as well as high school players who volunteered.
The camp was free to participants who signed up thanks to help from Friend of Recreation, which raises money for recreation center scholarships and promotes youth sports within the community.
Players attending the camp were exposed to a variety of drills designed to improve defensive positioning, shooting and other fundamental skills. Players were also allowed to test their skills against one another during spirited scrimmages that featured Archibeque shouting instructions.
“We had a lot of fun,” Archibeque said. “We wanted to enjoy the camp and we wanted to show that basketball is fun for the kids. By the end of the week, the kids were listening and showing that they have potential. Everyone came and worked hard.”
Among the players who attended the camp was 12-year-old Tyler Kaine, who plans to play basketball for Cortez Middle School next year, who listened intently while Archibeque spoke about the importance of defense and teamwork.
“I know Kirk from church, and I heard about the camp and decided to come out,” Kaine said. “I enjoyed the scrimmages and I learned a lot about defense and working together.”
Also attending the camp was 13-year-old Brianna Comisky, who smiled while describing the energy shown by players and coaches throughout the camp. Clearly excited by the lessons she learned, Comisky emphasized that she hopes to return for a second rendition of the camp next summer.
“Whenever we played five-on-five, everyone was excited,” Comisky said. “Kirk was a great coach, and I hope that he does this every year.”
In addition to Archibeque’s coaching and countless outstanding performances by players, a midday speech by Fort Lewis College coaching legend Bob Hoffman served as a highlight of the camp.
Several awards were distributed to players, including most valuable player awards, defensive awards, and hustle awards and after all was said and done, Archibeque that he is hoping to host another camp next summer.
“I definitely would like to make this a yearly thing and I feel like I can,” Archibeque said. “I know some other professionals around the area who would like to come down and participate next year. We just have to get some paperwork done right and get it going.”
