OFFICERS, YOUTHS JOIN IN ROUNDBALL FUN

Law enforcement officers from several agencies converged Thursday on the Student Recreation Center at Southeast Missouri State University. But their mission wasn't official police business.

Officers and young area basketball players were enjoying themselves by participating in "Hoopin' with 5-0 at SEMO."

For the second year, the Cape Girardeau Police Department has coordinated a basketball camp for boys between the ages of 11 and 16. The camp allows kids to get off the couch, onto the basketball court and into a comfortable, fun setting with law enforcement officers from area agencies.

"I had a lot of fun," said Neglasper McClinton, 13, at the end of Thursday's camp. "I met some new people, too."

McClinton, a sixth-grader at Franklin Elementary School, recently moved from Sikeston. He said he liked playing basketball with the officers coaching him and meeting new friends.

Chris "Big Country" Little, 15, a 6-foot-6 freshman at Cape Central, said this was his second year participating in the camp. He said he got to know many of the officers during last year's camp and also got his nickname, "Big Country." Thursday's camp was more fun than last year, he said.

"More of my friends were here this year," he said.

Chris' father, Dan Little, said kids should get to know officers working in their community. That was why he wanted Chris to participate in the camp, he said.

"He hasn't done too much since he's been out from school," Dan Little said of his son. "This was the only thing that didn't involve the couch."

The 52 kids that participated in Thursday's camp were first instructed by Indians Basketball Coach Ron Shumate. After morning instruction, they were divided into eight teams and began tournament action coached by the officers.

During the camp, the kids were provided with lunch and fruit. Fruit also was available for the kids throughout the afternoon.

After the final game, the two winning teams received basketballs. A drawing also was held and gift certificates to area stores and basketballs were given away. Every boy also received a T-shirt and water bottle.

Officers from the Cape Girardeau Police Department, Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Department, Missouri State Highway Patrol, Southeast's Department of Public Safety and Division of Youth Services participated in the eight-hour boys' camp Thursday. Many of the officers will return to the Student Recreation Center today to participate in the girls' camp.

"I think this goes pretty good," said Sgt. Roger Fields of the Cape Girardeau Police Department, the coordinator of the event. "This gives the kids the opportunity to become familiar with the officers, and we have fun doing it."

Fields said 45 boys participated in last year's camp and more registered this year. He said the camps will take place again next year.

This year Fields coordinated a girls' camp. It will be structured similarly to Thursday's camp, but the morning coaching will be provided by Ed Arnzen, the head coach for the Southeast Otahkians.

About 60 girls have registered for today's camp.