May 26, 2010

Continuing the strong partnership between the Lowell Boys & Girls Club and UMass Lowell Basketball, Head Coach Greg Herenda and assistant coaches Marc Kuntz and Josh King, along with freshmen Scotty Tavares-Taylor (Roxbury, Mass.), Romeo Diaz (Methuen, Mass.) and Matt Welch (Lowell, Mass.), hosted an after-school clinic on Wednesday.

The River Hawks were welcomed to the gym by a group of cheerleaders, who had come up with a personalized cheer and routine to greet their guests.

The coaches and student-athletes then spoke to the youths about the paths they took to college, the importance of school, the dedication necessary for success and how to be a part of a team.

“It was a great clinic and the kids really played well today,” Herenda said. “There is some very good talent and they all played hard.”

All of the participants broke off into groups and practiced shooting drills, scrimmaged and worked hard all afternoon for a chance to win a scholarship to Coach Herenda’s Hoop School.

“Our players had just about as much fun as the kids did,” Herenda said.“This is part of the educational process, but when you get down to it, this is just clean, old-fashioned fun.”

The Lowell Boys & Girls Club Cheerleaders pose with Coach Herenda

The Lowell Boys & Girls Club clinic participants pose with Coach Herenda, his staff and players.