Start shooting and counting baskets

POMEROY––The Second Annual 10,000 Shot Club is underway.

Local basketball enthusiasts have put together a program and prizes to promote shooting and basketball to the Pomeroy community and are encouraging players to make 10,000 shots before the end of 2023 (By January 1, 2024).

"It will take time, but we promise it will be worth it," said Brock Ledgerwood, one of the program organizers. "The one skill that will take players and a team to the next level is their ability to shoot the ball. The only way to be a better shooter is repetition and work."

Participants are divided into two groups: grades one through three and four through eighth, Ledgerwood said. Keeping track of shots can be done in a variety of ways, and a spreadsheet has been developed to make it easy. One through third graders just need to keep a count of shots attempted, and fourth through eighth need to count only the makes, Ledgerwood advised.

Shooters are asked to email their count every Sunday to [email protected] or give them to Ledgerwood. Totals will be displayed on a leaderboard so shooters can keep track of their progress. Results will periodically be posted on the Pomeroy Youth Basketball Facebook page.

"Obviously, this has to be done on the honor system," Ledgerwood said, "so please be honest and only report the numbers you track. No guessing at what a player made; they need to actually keep track. Parents, please help you child determine the best way to track, report, and help them stay honest with their numbers. We are working to build better shooters for our program and only way to do that is to SHOOT MORE SHOTS."

Ledgerwood encouraged anyone with questions to contact him. Oasis Park or the Elementary School are places to shoot baskets, he said, and if anyone needs a basketball, Ledgerwood pledged to find one. The hoop should be lowered for the youngest shooters shooters so they will used correct form and move to higher hoops as strength develops.

"Please encourage kids to work on shooting with correct form and shooting from a distance their muscles will allow," Ledgerwood said. "No three-point shots until they can reach it without throwing it."

Ledgerwood also has a recommended shooting workout sheet.