POULSBO — The sound of numerous basketballs bouncing, swishing and being dribbled in the North Kitsap High School gymnasium was music to the ears of Vikings boys basketball coach Tony Chisholm and his staff on Monday afternoon.

Nearly 50 players were in attendance prior to the beginning of the first day of spring basketball prep camp. It was a good place to start as Chisholm and company help the group hone their hoops skills through Friday.

Those familiar with the energetic Chisholm know his passion for basketball. He expressed his enthusiasm minutes before the first prep camp session was set to begin.

“It’s an exciting time for kids,” he said. “It’s all about them and helping them get better. That’s what this camp is all about. I am pretty excited.”

Chisholm said next year’s Kingston High School student athletes are welcomed just as much as the NKHS students athletes.

“This camp is for all high school kids who want to get into the gym to play basketball,” he said. “It’s not about the (North Kitsap) Vikings or the (Kingston Buccaneers). Everyone who wants to work hard and learn, we want them to be here.”

Chisholm said the camp provides younger players an opportunity to learn from the older hoopsters who have already been in the program for the last few years.

“I am expecting my older players to lead by example,” he said. “My goal is for the younger players to learn from the upperclassman. They need to see how hard these older players work and what it will take to play at the high school level. We want the younger guys to see how a high school practice is run.”

The camp will serve as a springboard into tournaments that will be played throughout the summer, Chisholm said.

“This camp is running to get them all prepped up for basketball summer activities,” he said. “The spring camp is here for a reason. It’s a stepping stone. We want to make sure we give the players a chance to improve.”

Chisholm is an old school coach who focuses on the basics of the sport.

“The first dynamic of the game is playing good defense,” he said. “We will focus on defense throughout this camp. We also will have drills working on ball handling as well.”

Due to the cancellation of the girls prep basketball camp originally slated for June 11-15, Chisholm said girls basketball players are welcomed to participate in the boys camp this week. For information, contact coach Chisholm at (360) 598-8543 or be e-mail at TChisholm@nkschools.org.