CUMBERLAND — Former area Players of the Year Abby Beeman and Lauren Zapf headline the list of instructors to appear at the Bishop Walsh basketball camp beginning Monday.
Beeman, a two-time Player of the Year in 2018-19 at Frankfort, went on to star at Shepherd and Marshall. Last year, Beeman captured Sun Belt Player of the Year and Dapper Dan Top Award honors.
In June, Beeman signed her first professional contract to play overseas in Iceland for Hamar.
The camp, for boys and girls in grades 4-8, runs from Monday to Wednesday at Bishop Walsh from 8:30 a.m. to noon each day. Registration is $100.
Beeman is attending the camp on Tuesday, camp director Karen Detrick said.
“I think it is a great opportunity to connect with the younger kids participating in a sport that has given me so much,” Beeman said. “I want to share some knowledge that I have gained along the way with the young — things that I wish I knew at that age.
“But ultimately it’s just about connecting with the younger generation and sharing a love for the game amongst each other. Bishop Walsh is a great school, and I know it will be a great week for the campers. I look forward to meeting them all.”
Beeman was a 2,000-point scorer at Frankfort (2,228) and scored 2,236 points collegiately over her career at Marshall (978) and Division 2 Shepherd (1,258).
In her senior season at Marshall, she helped guide the Thundering Herd to their first NCAA Tournament berth since 1997.
However, Beeman isn’t the only 2,000-point scorer and two-time Player of the Year who will be in attendance.
She’ll be joined by Zapf, who will coach alongside Detrick, Ryan Mattingly and Raleigh Davis.
Zapf, a 1999 graduate of Bishop Walsh, scored 2,135 career points with the Spartans before playing at Navy. She won area Player of the Year in 1998-99.
“It’s a great honor and a proud experience to coach alongside Lauren Zapf,” Detrick said. “She was the epitome of the female athlete growing up. … She’s coming back to the area to give back.”
The camp will provide a structured environment for children to learn, develop or reinforce fundamental basketball skills through drills and practice, the camp sign-up form reads.
Campers will experience different coaching styles, meet different players and gain an understanding of teamwork, it continued.
There will be contests and prizes awarded as well.
All proceeds from the camp will go to Bishop Walsh as a fundraiser and a small donation will be made to the Frankfort Athletic Booster Club as a thanks for Beeman’s participation.
Early proceeds from sponsors and early registration have already allowed the school to purchase new basketballs, which will be used at the camp.
Mattingly, Bishop Walsh’s boys basketball coach, has deep connections to the school.
His grandfather, Bob Mattingly, coached at St. Peter and Paul and his father Regis played at Bishop Walsh from 1966-70.
His uncle, Kevin Mattingly, played on an undefeated Bishop Walsh team.
Ryan went to Watkins Mill High School in Gaithersburg and played basketball, graduating in 2001.
“I’m excited to come together with these remarkable people to hopefully build some confidence in area kids who love to hoop,” Detrick said, “perhaps send a few away with a new friend from camp or just spark a love of this great game for all who attend.”