The New Orleans Hornets held a free one-day camp for children ages 7-14 at Crossgates Athletic Club on Military Road Tuesday.

The three-hour clinic drew 101 participants and was the seventh of eight free camps the Hornets have put on in south Louisiana. The final one was yesterday in Houma.

Camp director and Xavier coach Dannton Jackson said he feels it is vital for the Hornets to get out in public and do what they can to help in the community.

Eight-year old Matthew Tenedorio of Slidell, takes a jump shot during the Hornets camp Tuesday as coach Jordan Johnson provides encouragement. (Staff Photo by Chris Kinkaid)

“It’s very important,” Jackson said. “This helps in a lot of different areas. First we’re giving back to the community, teaching about basic fundamentals. We also have been going with our bookmobile and giving out books. We’ve been touching on a lot of different life skills for these young folks. Fundamentals about basketball, reading and about how to act.”

The campers were given drills on dribbling, passing, free throws and jump shooting. Tulane University senior forward Daniel Puckett gave a demonstration on shooting layups before the participants broke up into groups and worked on layups. During the demonstration, Jackson talked to the children about shooting a layup with the proper technique and the correct hand to shoot it depending on what side of the basket you are on. Puckett, a 6-foot-7, 200-pound forward, averaged 5.1 points per game for the Green Wave last year in 31 games. He pulled down 3.1 rebounds and dishing out 1.5 assists and finished the season with 22 steals along with 15 blocks.

One of the campers, 8-year old Slidell resident Matthew Tenedorio, who attends Whispering Forest, said he enjoyed the camp and added that he was excited when he found out about it.

“It was awesome. I liked it,” Tenedorio said. “I learned how to play basketball, how to do jump shots and a lot of stuff.”

Hornets guard Mike James, who lives in Houston, was slated to attend the camp, but with Hurricane Eduard looming, James decided to stay back with his family. Last season, James, who was acquired in a mid-season trade from the Houston Rockets, played in 21 games for the Hornets and averaged 2.7 points per game. Overall, he got into 54 games and scored five points per contest.

New Orleans assistant coach Charlie Parker took his place and spoke to the children about life and working hard to achieve your goals. Parker took questions following his talk. One of the campers asked where Chris Paul was, and Parker told the group Paul was playing in the Olympics. He also gave Tuesday’s result to them as well. The camp held different contests following Parker’s speech.