OKEMOS - Okemos basketball may have another six months until it starts, that doesn't mean it's too early to practice.

The Chieftains are holding their annual basketball camps for "Big Men" and "Guards" on June 23 and 24, at Okemos High School. The event comes on the heels of their summer leagues, which run from the beginning to the end of June.

Grades 7-12 are welcome at the camps, and focus on different areas for both positions: the forwards concentrate on scoring in the paint and rebounding, while guards handle dribbling and shooting.

We try to give the players as many opportunities as possible to improve their game and get better," said Okemos coach Jeff Wonch. "Hopefully they're taking some of the tools we're giving them to improve themselves."

Kids all around the area come to compete in the games, which can include scrimmages to fun shoot-arounds. Kids from grades 7-12 are welcome at the camps that happen every summer in Chieftain County.