Midgets in the Making

By: Devan Douglas, Head Girls Basketball Coach/DHS Social Science Instructor 

We understand the importance of mentorship and building positive relationships between high school student-athletes and aspiring ones at the elementary level. Recently the DHS Girls Basketball program introduced a new and exciting opportunity for elementary students – Midgets in the Making.  

Elementary students get to watch the high school girls practice, participate in drills, and learn skills and basketball terminology while interacting with their peers and learning what it takes to be a Midget.   During games, elementary students get to take part in starting lineups, join the Midgets behind the bench of the varsity team, and get first-hand game experience. Our goal is for this to be a step towards building a more extensive and more successful program in the future.

Taya Hopfauf, one of three captains for the varsity basketball team, shared this about the program,

“Midgets in the Making is not only making an impact on the next generation of Dickinson girls basketball players, but it also benefits the current players who help manage the program. Midgets in the Making teaches the current DHS girls basketball members how to take on leadership roles and share their knowledge and love of the game with the next generation. Helping and coaching younger basketball players not only improves the skills of the young athletes but also creates a deeper understanding of the game for the high school players, leading to growth in their own development of skills. The opportunity to grow in the game of basketball through Midgets in the Making is unlike any other skills camp or leadership camp.”

We know programs like this are essential and will aid in building leadership skills amongst our student-athletes. Midgets in the Making is all about creating a positive culture around a sport that we all love by instilling good sportsmanship, hard work, and other skills at a young age.