By Gary Curreri

Reg Cook won more than 500 games at Highlands Christian Academy School, however, one of the other things he is most proud of is the annual summer basketball camp offered by the school.

“The basketball camp is our most popular summer athletic camp here at HCA,” said Cook, former athletic director and boys’ varsity basketball coach at Highlands who started the camp in 1985. “Our coaches and counselors do a great job! They love the kids, the game of basketball and the Lord.”

There were approximately 100 campers between the two weeks, including 55 in the first session (7th through 12th graders), and 45 in the second session (second through the 6th grade).

“Our goal at basketball camp, along with all of our other athletic camps, is to train these young people to become better individuals as well as better players,” said Jim Good, camp coordinator and boys’ varsity basketball coach. It was his 16th year being a part of the camp. “Our coaching staff does a great job in teaching the skills of the sport while also teaching the benefits of hard work in a fun and enjoyable atmosphere.”

Josh Good, HCA’s boys’ middle school coach, worked his 11th year of camp, while Luke Still, HCA’s JV coach, worked his third year of camp. Head girls’ varsity basketball coach, Ramona Caputo along with HCA alumnus Chris Wilson (2005) and Jeff Sullivan (2011) assisted with the camp. Several varsity players from both the boys and girls varsity team earned community hours in the second week of camp while serving as assistant coaches.

Highlands Christian offers seven different summer sports camps, including cheerleading, basketball, softball, track and field, soccer, volleyball and golf.

Visit www.highlandschr istian.org for more information about the school.

Randall reinstated

Melvin Randall will return to coach the boys basketball team at Blanche Ely High School after a face-to-face meeting with the school’s principal last week ironed out their differences.

Randall had been at odds with school principal Karlton Johnson and was relieved of his duties just four months after winning his second consecutive Class 7A championship.

Randall and Johnson had clashed over the firing of his two long-time assistants, Reginald McNair and Morris Grooms, who were released before the 2012-13 season, and the fact that Randall had to apply more than once for the head coach position.

“It was a very, very good meeting,” Randall said. “Just clearing some things. We both agreed that we want to put this behind us and move forward. We want to work toward improving Blanche Ely academically and athletically.”

Both McNair and Grooms, former student athletes of Randall’s, will be allowed to return. Randall has a 458- 136 career record, including 226-79 at Blanche Ely and five state titles.

“I always believed everything would be OK,” Randall said. “The kids were thrilled when they heard the news. It was a relief for them and they are ready to work for a third state title.”