Handy’s work pays off at
Hawaii basketball camp

It wasn't the 3-pointer he had hoped for, but Phil Handy's first shot at putting on basketball clinics in Hawaii scored points with his young participants.

"I think I came away with better fundamentals, especially on defense, and I improved my shooting," said Ilima Macfarlane, an incoming eighth-grader at Punahou School. "I enjoyed being with my fellow campers. They all had great attitudes and we learned a lot."

Macfarlane, the younger sister of Rainbow Wahine guard Milia Macfarlane, also walked away with the award as the Camper of the Week for overall skill, attitude and improvement. The prize was a Tony Delk Dallas Mavericks jersey.

The 94 Feet of Game clinic and camp at Manoa Valley Recreation Center this month benefited the Taylor Delk Sickle Cell Foundation. The 5-year-old Delk is the daughter of Tony Delk, one of Handy's clients.

"I was ecstatic with the turnout for our first time here," said Handy, a former Hawaii forward (1993-95). "The kids were just great. We had over 50 and they all worked so hard.

"We're definitely coming back."

Handy plans to return in December around the Rainbow Classic with a one-day session each for guards and post players.

Also expected back is one of Handy's camp coaches, Bryan Gardere, the head girls coach at nationally ranked Piedmont (Calif.) High.

"This is my first trip to Hawaii and I was very impressed with the level of talent here," said Gardere.

"As we tell the campers, you get out of it what you put into it," said Handy. "I think the kids got a lot out of what we gave them and we got it back in return."

For information on upcoming camps, contact Handy at: ninety4ftofgame@aol.com