More than a dozen boys and girls signed up for the 28th Annual Ceres High School Basketball Camp this month.

Julio Marquez and Aimee Gunzenhauser, head coaches of the Bulldogs' varsity boys and girls hoops teams, respectively, provided instruction.

"Honestly, I was expecting more kids," Gunzenhauser said. "I dropped off fliers at the schools, Ceres Street Faire and Costa Fields. It's going to take us a few years to build it up."

Local youngsters Owen Checketts, Michael Koeurn, Savannah Leifried, Abraham Moushilou, Jordan Threet, Brady Doane, Kaydie and Kendall Fleeman, Rylee and Anthony Randez, and Cylee and Chance Cowell were among this year's participants.

Campers received a total of 20 hours of instruction.

They practiced Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

They dedicated time to shooting, free throws, layups, dribbling and passing.

Cylee and Chance were newbies to the clinic.

They attend Sam Vaughn Elementary School in Ceres.

"Since we started watching NBA playoffs, they want to go outside and play hoops in the street," said Debin Cowell, their father and a 1999 Ceres High grad. "They were pretty stoked about being able to go to the camp. I went when I was their age. I have fond memories. It was awesome. They had just as much fun. I'm sure they'll be asking to go every year."

Gaylyn Barker's three children, twin daughters Kaydie and Kendall, and son Brady, were also first-year campers.

Kaydie, Kendall and Brady are students at Beaver Elementary School.

"They got a lot of attention," Barker said.

The Randez siblings, Rylee and Anthony, attended the camp for the fourth consecutive summer.

Rylee and Anthony go to Adkison Elementary School.

"The most enjoyable part is seeing the kids have fun and get better," Gunzenhauser said. "There was a lot of improvement. Half of the kids didn't know how to do a layup when they first started. We're trying to teach them fundamentals at a young age."

"I like working with the little kids," Marquez added. "It's a good starting point. We're teaching a lot of the fun parts of basketball like shooting, dribbling and passing. Every day is different. We don't follow the same routine. This camp is a stepping stone to get to an elite camp if that's the next step."

The second session of the CHS camp for boys and girls in grades 4-8 was staged June 12-16 at Phil de la Porte Gymnasium.

The first week of the clinic was offered, June 5-9.

Cost was $55 per week or $75 for both weeks.

Approximately 10 of the 13 campers attended both sessions.

"Hopefully, they come back next year and bring a few friends," Gunzenhauser said.