The Julius De Loatche Summer Basketball Camp concluded its 19th annual session on Saturday August 11th. This year’s camp hosted 52 boysand girls from Peoria and the surrounding community. The camp was a tremendous success filled with enthusiasm and fun.
The Julius De Loatche Basketball Camp, Inc. extends sincere thanks and appreciation to all our friends and supporters for making our 19th annual session a grand success. The camp is held in memory of Julius De Loatche who died in a house fire March 3, 1999.
The camp’s annual awards and recognition banquet was held at the Dream Center on August 11th, with more than 150 in attendance.The camp awarded it’s 1200th "equipped school back pack" and reached the $8000.00 mark in cash awards.
The camp sincerely thanks area businesses and concerned citizens for making it all possible.
Banquet 2018's guest speaker: Pastor Harvey Barnett [Michelle McFadden Photography]
We heartily congratulate this year’s awards winners:
Most Valuable Player and first place award winner:
Undrell Alexander, $100.00
Eric Cameron, Undrell, James and Undrell's mother [Michelle McFadden Photography]
2nd place: Jamari Williams, $50.00
3rd place: D’Anthony Spencer $ 25.00
James, D'Anthony Spencer and Veronica Ball [Michelle McFadden Photography]
Four merit awards of $20.00 each went to:
Kevin Johnson, Aubrenia Moore, Teron Scott and Lamarco Spencer.
Coach of the Year:
Lacey Fuller, a former camp member and Western IL University graduate.
James and Lacy Fuller [Michelle McFadden Photography]
The Camp’s fourth Life Time Achievement Award:
Sir James A. Watson, Life-long coach for area schools and also a faithful camp coach.
Sir James Watson (l), James, and Frank Ball (r) [Michelle McFadden Photography]
Mrs. Diane Risby, Camp banquet director and staff provided a delicious dinner to help highlight the occasion.
Diane Risby [Michelle McFadden Photography]
The Rev. Harvey Burnett , Pastor of Peoria’s church of God In Christ delivered a heart warming, inspirational message to the excited audience.
The camp sincerely thanks everyone for your faithful dedication to our program. We look forward to our 20th annual session next year.
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During the 16th summer, in 2015, 68 campers, plus our outstanding cast of coaches, staff, family, and supporters, were featured in a July 25, 2015, Peoria Journal Star article written by Adam Duvall: "Area summer basketball camps tackle more than playing a game." The section on the camp begins at the bottom of the second page.
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2018 Campers and Coaches and families [Michelle McFadden Photography]
Camp Enrollment and Participation (including banquet) are Free!!!
The camp is held annually in memory of Julius De Loatche, who died in a house fire at age 10.
The Rev. James L. De Loatche and wife Relmer, Julius’s parents, are the founders of the camp.
Rev. De Loatche serves as Pres. & CEO. Eric Cameron is the camp’s director.
Julius De Loatche Summer Basketball Camp Theme: “Rise to Excellence”
Julius De Loatche Summer Basketball Camp Scriptural Motto:
“I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS ME” (Phillipans 4:13)
Our Camp Colors: Green and Gold
Green Symbolizes Spiritual Strength and Youth
Gold Symbolizes Purity of Heart, Soul, & Mind
CEO James DeLoatche
Unbroken Circle -- Promises Kept
