Dibrell Elementary School’s dribble team took the court during recent basketball action at Warren County High School.
Basketballs in hand, sometimes two at a time, the team of 16 took the court and performed choreographed routines set to music. Wild Cat, the school mascot, also made an appearance. The team is composed of students in grades K-4.
Coach Mike Mullins says the team originated after a visit from Warren County High School girls coach Shae Panter.
The idea behind the little dribble teams, said Mullins, is to give children who are too young for basketball a chance to learn to dribble a basketball effectively and get used to being out on the court. Mullins says team members are having fun and they are highly motivated to learn.
“Some of the things we do are pretty hard,” Mullins said. “They went and worked on it on their own. They came back and could do it. They put in the time and they learn all the moves. My little girl is one of them. She’s gotten to where she can dribble through her legs and she’s just a first-grader. If she ever does want to play ball, she has that background. She has fun doing it. She dribbles through the house. All of them are having fun with it.”
On the team are Jenna Mullins, Nate Boles, Carson Davis, Huck Damon, Lee Allen Esparza, Silar Simmons, Abbyi Bain, Aaron Wilson, Maddox Adams, Lily Rains, Ky Damon, Anabella Culwell, Emily Cantrell, Kennedy Scott, Benjamin Horton, Aleni Bain, and Keagan Thompson.
The mascot is Huck, the only kindergartener on the team.
“Huck’s sister is on the team and his mom is one of those helping us,” said Mullins. “He was here during practices and I wanted to find a way to incorporate him in a routine. We put a mascot head on him and he loved it. He runs out and he slides.”
Last week’s performance was the team’s second performance at the high school.