2019 ‘Coach P Highly Skilled’ youth basketball camp kicks off with guest speaker Billy Hicks

Corbin Redhounds basketball head coach Tony Pietrowski’s annual Highly Skilled summer youth camp kicked off Tuesday with a very special guest.

Campers between grades 2-7 will have the opportunity to learn skills on the court this week from Coach Pietrowski, his assistants and many of the Redhound players. They will also get to hear from a series of guest speakers, starting with the legendary Coach Billy Hicks, who was in attendance Tuesday for the opening day of the camp.

Hicks coached at Corbin for nearly a decade in the late-80s and early-90s, which included Pietrowski’s own run as a Redhound player. Since that time he has become the state’s all-time wins leader and was inducted into the Kentucky Basketball Hall of Fame as head coach of the Scott County Cardinals. He retired from coaching earlier this year, after the Cardinals finished the season as state runner-up with an overall record of 35 wins and four losses.

“I’m really excited for our campers to have the opportunity to hear him talk,” Coach Pietrowski said of Hicks’ visit. “I think this will be something that, when they look back on it, they will always be thankful that they got the chance to see and hear him in person.”

As for what Coach Hicks had to say during his appearance Tuesday, he spoke at length about his own personal experiences as both a basketball player and a coach. He also gave campers in attendance several valuable pieces of advice, including, “Don’t give up. If you want something, work at it. Work your butt off, and be willing to pay the price.”

Before concluding his talk, Hicks also commented on the importance of sportsmanship, and showing compassion for opponents. He said, “I really believe that if you use your success to help others, and to make others stronger, then success will follow you no matter what you go into.”

Coach Pietrowski’s Highly Skilled youth basketball camp will continue through the end of this week with three more guest speakers scheduled to attend.

On Wednesday, two-time national champion Coach Chris Briggs (Georgetown) will address campers, followed by Redhounds football head coach Justin Haddix on Thursday. On Friday, Greg Taylor, teacher, coach and father of current San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Trent Taylor, will be in attendance.

“Last year we brought in the first group of guest speakers,” Coach Pietrowski said. “I really liked it. I feel like it was a nice addition to our camp, so I decided to continue with it this year.”

“It’s good for the campers to be hear about what they could accomplish if they stick with what they’re doing, and continue to work hard.”

Next Monday-through-Thursday, June 3-6, Pietrowski will host his annual traditional camp at Corbin High School with two sessions taking place each day.

Grades K-2 will receive instruction during the morning sessions from 9:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m., and grades 3-6 will receive their instruction during the afternoons from noon-2:30 p.m.

No guest speakers are scheduled to appear at the traditional camp. For more information, e-mail tony.pietrowski@corbin.kyschools.us.