UPDATE: More than 80 future basketball stars gathered at the Charles City Middle School gym from July 7-10, 2023, for the highly anticipated Comet Boys Basketball Camp. The event showcased the skills and enthusiasm of young athletes from kindergarten through 12th grade, marking a significant moment for the community.
This four-day camp featured three sessions daily, tailored to different grade levels. Each participant received a commemorative T-shirt and engaged in various skill stations, team drills, and competitive activities, all designed to elevate their game.
Campers experienced high-energy contests, including 1-on-1 matchups, a thrilling Hot Shot game, an obstacle course challenge, and intense free throw competitions. Awards were handed out for achievements like Most Valuable Player (MVP), Most Improved, Hustle Award, and Best Teammate.
Camp director and head coach David Rottinghaus expressed his pride in the volunteer coaching staff, made up of current varsity and junior varsity players. “Our high school players did an outstanding job coaching,” Rottinghaus stated. “They brought a ton of energy and enthusiasm each day, making the camp fun and engaging for everyone.”
Rottinghaus emphasized the importance of these camps in building a strong basketball culture in Charles City. “We haven’t been to the state tournament since 1956, and my goal is to change that,” he added. “It starts with creating excitement at the youth level and cultivating a love for the game.”
Among the standout campers, Lawson Rippentrop earned the MVP award for the kindergarten through grade 3 group, while Greyson Rippentrop took home multiple awards in grades 4-8. The competition was fierce, with campers showcasing their skills and striving for individual recognition.
2025 Comet Basketball Camp Awards:
– Kindergarten-Grade 3 MVP: Lawson Rippentrop
– Most Improved: Maui Meza
– Best Teammate: Jack Murray
– Hustle Award: Blake Bjorklund
– Grade 4-8 MVP (4-6): Greyson Rippentrop
– Co-MVPs (7-8): Cooper Mahnesmith and Kynsie Eckoff
– Most Improved: Simon Tutu
– Best Teammate: Rowan Petrie
– Hustle Award: Jackson Jensen
Contest Winners:
– Free Throws: Greyson Rippentrop (4-6); Kynsie Eckoff (7-8)
– Obstacle Course: Greyson Rippentrop (4-6); Gavin Hamm (7-8)
– Hot Shot: Greyson Rippentrop (4-6); Cooper Mahnesmith (7-8)
– 1-on-1: Abram Rippentrop (4); Greyson Rippentrop (5-6); Jackson Jensen (7-8)
As the camp concluded, the excitement was palpable. Young athletes left with not just skills but also a vision of themselves as future Comets, igniting a legacy for the Charles City basketball program. Parents and community members are eager to see how these budding talents will contribute to the program in the years to come.
