On Wednesday, August 21, the Hastings Hoops Factory held an event at Pioneer Park called Hoops and Scoops. Hastings Hoops Factory is part of the Hastings Basketball Boosters and focuses on developing skills, on court knowledge and a love for the game of basketball for kids in grades kindergarten through fourth grade.

Aaron Wickboldt, president of the Hastings Basketball Boosters explained the role of Hoops Factory and the event.

“This is our first event of the year. We started this last year. It is a free program for kids, K through fourth grade, and we throw hoops and scoops tonight,” he said.

The Hoops and Scoops event was meant to give young kids a chance to receive some free coaching from the Hoops Factory coaches, to see that basketball is a fun game, get to know other kids their age that play and just have fun, culminating in some free ice cream for the participants.

The kids, parents and coaches all seemed to be having a good time and the kids were engaged, which was amazing to see given they were all 10 years old and younger.

Hoops Factory hosts a few events each year, all to build excitement around the game of basketball encouraging kids to play, be active and be part of something.

“We are going to be doing a Try It Night, which is going to be a free clinic September 17 and 18th. We are also going to be doing various sessions throughout the winter, on Sunday nights for the kids. Then we do a Timberwolves experience, where the kids get to go on the court with the Timberwolves. Last year, they were on the court with the Timberwolves for the national anthem,” added Wickboldt.

The most important piece of the puzzle at the younger ages is making that connection through fun.

“We want to make sure that the kids feel comfortable playing basketball, comfortable coming out, gaining confidence and basic skills. We really emphasize dribbling, passing and shooting at this age and playing fun games to reinforce those skills,” he said.

With this being the second year for Hoops Factory, Wickboldt was looking to expand the all-volunteer operation.

“We are looking for sponsors so that we can get kids basketballs. We want to get every kid a basketball and we want to get every kid a t-shirt for the hoops factory,” he said.

The events so far have had around 50 kids participating and Wickboldt hopes that will grow as the program continues. To learn more about Hoops Factory, to donate or to sign your child up for a free event, visit www.hastingsbasketball.com