Moriarty Basketball Skills Camp is “Controlled Chaos”

MORIARTY — The sounds echoing through the Moriarty High School gymnasium this week are a distinct blend of squeaking sneakers, bouncing basketballs, and what Lady Pintos head coach Jana Baguskis affectionately calls “controlled chaos.”

Moriarty’s annual coed skills basketball camp opened Monday for a three-day run, drawing local youth eager to learn the game. For Baguskis and her varsity players, the camp represents far more than just a summer activity—it is a vital building block for the community’s basketball future and a masterclass in leadership for her high school athletes.

“I love kids’ camp,” Baguskis said. “I just love introducing kids to basketball and getting them to play. I love having my girls coach them and be a part of their lives. I think they impact them in ways that they don’t realize.”

The camp functions as a specialized skills clinic rather than a traditional recreational camp. Baguskis noted that local athletes often lack the early competitive league exposure found in larger municipalities, making foundational instruction critical before players reach the middle school level.

“I did actually tell one of the boys yesterday, when they asked when we were going to scrimmage, ‘I don’t know if you realize you signed up for a skills camp, not a do-whatever-you-want camp,'” Baguskis said. “They need to know skills to be able to be a good basketball player. We’re slowly building that with our basketball leagues in the elementary schools, but this is a big thing in the summer to get them introduced to the skills of basketball, not just pretending to play.”

The high school players serving as camp counselors find themselves thrust into role-model positions, gaining firsthand insight into the challenges of coaching.

“My favorite part of basketball camp is just to get to know these little kids, what they want in the future, especially for varsity basketball, and how it impacts their life,” said varsity Lady Pinto Carmelita Tapia.

When asked if the experience gave her a greater appreciation for what her own coaches endure, Tapia laughed. “Yes, I understand now, with the yes, nos, maybes, and everything.”

Dominic Brown, a varsity Pinto who is counseling at the camp for the fourth time, echoed the sentiment regarding the patience required to manage young athletes.

“The kids not listening,” Brown said of the most challenging aspect of the job. “But it’s fun, though. Still fun with these kids. I just love letting them learn the game. I love teaching them what I know.”

Brown noted that his approach has evolved over his four years as a camp coach, choosing to bring a different demeanor to the hardwood this summer. “I try to be more energetic, not so relaxed,” he said.

The camp concludes Wednesday with a heavy emphasis on competition, featuring events like dribble knockout and shooting contests. Baguskis hopes the young athletes take home both improved fundamentals and an enthusiasm for the sport.

“Number one, that they had fun, and that they learned some things about basketball,” Baguskis said. “Most importantly, they had fun, and they want to come back next year.”

The youth camp kicks off a busy summer schedule for the Moriarty girls’ basketball program as they transition into their own team preparations.

The Lady Pintos are scheduled to host a major summer team camp on June 11 and 12. The event will bring 13 varsity and 11 junior varsity teams to Moriarty for a series of controlled summer games featuring 20-minute halves, providing critical offseason replication of game speed and varsity exposure.