Local middle school students shot hoops and ran drills at basketball camps hosted by two of the state’s largest universities this summer, thanks to Touchstone Energy Sports Camp Scholarships from Rutherford EMC.

Cole Gordon took to the court June 18-22 at the Roy Williams Carolina Basketball Camp at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. Cole is the son of Josh and Jaclyn Gordon of Saluda.

“These scholarships are a fantastic way for young athletes to experience life on a college campus and learn from mentors at their favorite NCAA athletic programs,” said Dirk Burleson, vice president of member and corporate services at Rutherford EMC. “At Rutherford EMC, we’re proud to continue the tradition of providing outstanding local students, like Allie and Cole, with opportunities to develop fundamental skills that will help them excel on the court and in the classroom.”

Cole earned the all-expense paid scholarship by completing an application that included academics, community involvement and enthusiasm for sports. He was one of 54 students selected in a competitive evaluation process to receive Touchstone Energy Sports Camp Scholarships from North Carolina’s electric cooperatives this year.

At camp, students stayed in dorms on campus and worked alongside coaches to hone basketball skills and practice working cooperatively with teammates.

The staff of the Wolfpack Women’s Basketball Camp included N.C. State women’s basketball coach Wes Moore, and his coaching staff and players. The Roy Williams camp was led by two-time NCAA national champion coach Roy Williams, his staff, and current and past Tar Heel basketball players.

This is the 13th year North Carolina’s Touchstone Energy cooperatives have sponsored young women to attend an N.C. State women’s basketball camp and the 11th year the cooperatives have sent young men to the Roy Williams camp.

The co-ops’ partnership with universities provides a unique educational and athletic opportunity for our state’s youth and keeps with Touchstone Energy’s core values of accountability, integrity, innovation and commitment to community.

– article submitted
by Denise P. Gavin