Participation hasn't been an issue this year. Hailing from eight school districts and ranging from sixth-graders to high school seniors, 30 girls and 24 boys are attending the camp.

The sight of a full gym is beautiful for alumni association chairman and 1958 Ford City graduate Gene Lazaroff.

"The young kids that we are working with right now are the grandchildren or great-grandchildren of our classmates or people that we know and have grown up with," said Lazaroff, who played in college for Virginia Military Institute and now resides in Las Vegas. "One thing unique about this town is this town has a rich tradition in basketball."

Former VMI men's coach and 1962 Ford City grad Charlie Schmaus is also present this week. He's been the camp's featured coach since its first year in 2004.

"We'll keep doing it forever -- as long as we can walk," said Schmaus, who lives in Myrtle beach, S.C. "We're very proud of our heritage here in Ford City. ... It's really amazing how many great athletes come out of here."

Schmaus should know. He's one of them.

Schmaus was the leading scorer on Ford City's 1962 state runner-up team, and was given a full scholarship to play at VMI. At the Lexington, Va., school, he became the team's all-time leading scorer, though his mark has since been passed. For his career, Schmaus averaged a double-double, with 20 points and 11 rebounds per game.

Following college, Schmaus spent five years in the Air Force, serving much of his time in Japan. Once he returned to the country in 1972, he was offered an assistant coaching job at VMI, which he accepted. Five years later, Schmaus ascended to head coach.

In the first of his six seasons as bench boss, Schmaus led VMI to a 26-4 record and an appearance in the NCAA Tournament's Sweet 16. Also present in that particular East Regional were elite college programs Kentucky, Notre Dame and North Carolina, which was led by legendary coach Dean Smith.

"I rubbed shoulders with some good guys that year, for sure," said Schmaus, who saw his team finish ranked 20th in the country that season after falling to Kentucky in the round of 16.

Schmaus is still active in basketball today. During the college season, he grades referees as an officials observer for the Big South and Colonial conferences.

Lazaroff is also busy with the game. He's a volunteer coach for Las Vegas' Liberty High School, which finished one game short of the Nevada state semifinals this year. He also recently attended the Nike Championship Basketball Clinic last month in Las Vegas, where several high-profile college coaches spoke.

Their teachings and techniques are still fresh in Lazaroff's mind, but he and Schmaus are also making sure to preach the basics this week.

"We're stressing fundamentals," Lazaroff said. "We're of the opinion, if you teach fundamentals, you can play basketball with anybody."