BY MELISSA BILLIE CLARK
When it comes down to teaching students how to “dunk,” “dribble,” “free throw,” or “layup,” Matthew Antoniou, a seasoned Physical Education Teacher at Frederick Douglass High School, brings out the best in his students.
In collaboration with the Brooklyn Nets, Greg Barnes from the Nets Coaching Clinics and three other coaches provided stu-dents with essential tools to help students step out of their comfort zones and learn the fundamentals of basketball. The all-day event accommodates 120 students who came in and out of the gym at the Brooklyn Sports Club. Basketball and T-shirts were donated to the students, along with valuable pro-fessional insights.
Senior Clinician Dell Bethea told the Spring Creek Sun, “Every session is about more than just basketball—it’s about building confidence, discipline, and teamwork. Our goal is to create an environment where students not only improve their skills but also develop a mindset that helps them succeed beyond the court. After each session, we want them to walk away feeling challenged, motivated, and excited to keep growing.”
Coach Antoniou emphasized the importance of resilience, strength, and perseverance in his teachings. He shared with the Sun his desire for students to learn life skills, follow directions, and work hard to set and achieve goals. “There is more to basketball than just scoring a slam dunk; it’s about scoring in life,” he explained. “Basketball teaches students how to be selfless and become leaders, which is where tough love comes into play. Even if you do not want to endure challenges, you have to be tough, fight through it, and develop a strong backbone.”
According to Statista, around 430,000 girls and approximately 550,000 boys actively participate in high school basketball in the United States; this widespread involvement highlights basket-ball’s popularity among youth. A recent article on Bridgeport.edu emphasizes that participating in sports fosters physical fitness and plays a crucial role in developing essential life skills. It enhances concentration, sharpens cognitive abilities, and improves interpersonal skills while promoting psychosocial development, vital for personal growth and social interaction.
To learn more about the Brooklyn Nets Coaching Clinics, head over to Bseglobal.net.
