TIFTON — Tadric Jackson’s basketball journey has taken him far from Tifton.
One of Tift County’s all-time best players, Jackson earned state and national honors with the Blue Devils, then starred at Georgia Tech. He briefly played overseas and has started working with his TCHS head coach Dr. Eric Holland with the hoops program at Rome.
Still, Jackson has never forgotten his roots, hosting his third annual Elite Camp at Tift County High July 12-13.
Though the group was younger this year, Jackson enjoyed the opportunities it provided.
“They need to learn at this age,” he said. This way, Jackson can show them proper technique before bad habits develop. Even if the concepts are advanced, “They at least see it,” he said.
Jackson said seeing technique now provides a foundation and makes it easier for them compared to players who have not. “They remember,” he said.
Jackson’s camp involved more than a basketball. It has been his goal to work on all phases of the game and the Elite Camp opened with extensive stretching exercises.
Campers did jumping jacks, high knees and ran at different speeds in the halfcourt. Jackson moved them to the sidelines to do ladders on grids on the hardwood.
Even with basketballs in their hands, they did not immediately start dribbling. Jackson wanted them to get familiar with the ball. “Pounding the rock” had another definition with him, with campers encouraged to manhandle the ball, to get used to its feel.
From there, they worked on coordination, techniques and dribbling as a group. Split into lines, they took the ball on a pass and learned to properly turn and square up toward the basket.
Though the majority of those attending camp were yet to be born when he played with the Blue Devils, Jackson kept their attention. He’s also kept local ties strong and realized he knew every camper participating.