Hooping it up all summer in Inwood

Five Towns Club Athletics is not promising that its campers will be the next LeBron James, DeMarcus Cousins or Kevin Durant — All-Star NBA basketball players who signed big money free agent contracts — but they do assure parents that participants will learn hoop skills and have fun.

Larry Bowers, has been running the 5TC Athletics for two years, hosting summer league basketball games and tournaments at the Martin Luther King Center in Long Beach, but for the first time this summer 5TC will be running weekend workouts for kids age five to 15.

The clinic begins on July 14 and takes place every Saturday and Sunday until Aug. 19. “We’re trying to do something for the kids,” Bowers said. “Show them the game of basketball … Bring some unity into the community.”

Training takes place at Inwood Park, 600 Bayview Ave., Inwood, and costs $30 per day, $55 a weekend or $350 for all six weeks, given that campers are signed up before the start date. Breakfast, lunch and camp shirts will be included. Players age five through nine go from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m., and those 10 to 15 start at 9 a.m. and practice until noon.

In addition to Bowers, he has trainers who are either in college, or just graduated assisting him. Hamed Shamseldin was an All-County hoopster at Lawrence High School and has worked with Bowers since he was a youngster. Shamseldin is excited to help provide the community with this opportunity. “When I was growing up there were more camps to help us grow as players,” he said. “I think this is a great thing for the community.”

Bowers believe that the weekend workouts would be great for any child, no matter how much or little experience they have with basketball. “We’re looking to help them learn how to play with each other,” he said.

Inwood resident Sasha Young has signed up her twin daughters, Alexis and Alexandra Acosta, and is excited for the girls to have a chance to practice and have fun with other local kids. “I would like for them to have a great time learning some new skills,” she said. “Alexis and Alexandra love basketball … Children in the community have an opportunity to come down and get some great instruction in a fun and safe environment.”

The final session on Aug. 19, will also include a three on three single-game-elimination tournament, a barbecue and back-to-school giveaways. Bowers also added that he’s scheduled a day of “bubble ball soccer,” for which players have the top half of their body covered by an inflatable orb so they can bounce off each other or the ground without sustaining injuries.

5TC Athletics’ Summer Basketball League also kicked off on July 8, and their high school league begins after the children’s clinic at 12:30 p.m. on July 14. There is a $300 fee for high school teams, but uniforms are included. Payments can be made via Cash App at $5TCAthletics or through PayPal at paypal.me/5TCAthletics. More information can be found on Facebook at facebook.com/5TCAthletics, and other questions can be directed to 5TCAthletics26@gmail.com.