The Boothbay Region Elementary School Lady Dribblers had another fun-filled season with 42 participants from first through fifth grades – a record roster. Lauren Brown, creator of the group, stepped down from coaching it this year, leaving Barb Crocker as coach. 

Crocker said her experience with the Ladies began when her daughter Jaelyn joined in third grade. 

“I helped Lauren that first year and then the four years after that,” said Crocker. “Lauren came to me at the beginning of this school year asking if I was ready to take over.”

Crocker said Brown had been planting hints last season, so she was all ready to give an emphatic “yes.” She knew Brown wanted to concentrate on her own daughters, a freshman and a senior, on the girls basketball team.

“It was an easy transition as Lauren is an incredibly organized person and was happy to pass along her wisdom including the infamous Lady Dribbler routine,” said Crocker. “I would have hated to see this program disappear!”

In addition to Crocker, the Ladies also had three to five student coaches on hand ranging from sixth to eighth grades, all former Lady Dribblers.

“I could not have done this without them,” said Crocker. “They came to every practice prepared, helped out with activities, encouraged the younger ones, always displayed a positive attitude and most importantly kept me in line with proper or correct demonstrations of tricks and moves.”

The Ladies start practice at 6:45 a.m. every Wednesday and practice for an hour before the school day starts. Practice begins with shooting hoops while everyone finishes gearing up and then they stretch. 

“We play different games and activities that include lots of dribbling,” said Crocker. “A favorite (of theirs is) Shark Tank, where you try to knock the ball away from others while dribbling – the goal is to be the last person dribbling. We could never get through a whole game because there were so many of us.”

Incoming Lady Dribblers are paired with a veteran from the team to learn the signature moves and drills the Ladies are expected to do every Wednesday morning. At the end of every practice, the Ladies run through their performance for halftime at the next game. 

“I see students that I have had in the classroom as second graders in leadership roles,” said Crocker. “I see some kids that have stepped out of their comfort zone to perform in front of a packed gym. I see students that are willing to work together to produce a great product. I see parents that come out to fill the gym stands in support of their child ... and I also really enjoy working with these kids outside of the classroom setting.”

Crocker hopes her Ladies continue “dribbling” into the YMCA leagues and onto the school teams. 

“As far as the WNBA, I have some very talented dribblers, (but) my hope is to keep alive their interest and love of basketball.”