Pen High has a new toy for its basketball players, a shooting machine.
It attaches to the hoop and shoots the ball back to the players quickly forcing the players to get in position fast and shooting the ball just as quick.
“We’re pretty thrilled,” said KVR Express Grade 8 girls basketball coach Chris Terris, adding it’s mainly for kids in the morning who like to put in extra time on the court. “They can get a high volume of shots in a limited amount of time. It’s a great tool to teach the kids to shoot with pace, otherwise when they come in the morning, it’s a very slow methodical process. They don’t work at conditioning at real game shots.”
The machine can be set for as little as one second between shots and rotates to 16 positions.
“They really got to be on their motor to not sit and admire their shots,” said Terris. “Get to the next place. Get another shot in — game speed sort of shots.”
Kaylie Davies and her Express teammates had their first chance at using the machine Saturday prior to their game against the Vernon Secondary Panthers.
“It’s really cool,” said Davies. “The ball comes at you quick so you have to be ready.”
“The net is also a great tool,” said Terris. “It forces the kids to put the proper arc on the ball.”
The shooting machine, which is built in Ohio, cost just over $5,000. The parent advisory council made an initial donation and Terris is hoping for another. He said teams have also contributed to the cost and extra cash from tournaments has also been used. The goal is to have the machine paid off next year.
Terris added he hopes it doesn’t just become a novelty and that students utilize it.
“One of the teacher coaches, Dustin Hyde, came out one morning and used it. He said he was pretty exhausted by the end,” said Terris. “You can get lots of shots off.”