South grad, ex-Miami star Jackson to hold free hoops clinic

Miami's Amanda Jackson (1) starts to celebrate after Miami beat Ohio 67-56 to win the women's Mid-American Conference championship basketball game Saturday, March 15, 2008, in Cleveland.

AP Photo by Ron Schwane Miami's Amanda Jackson (1) starts to celebrate after Miami beat Ohio 67-56 to win the women's Mid-American Conference championship basketball game Saturday, March 15, 2008, in Cleveland.

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By Michael Cooper, Staff Writer Updated 7:36 AM Thursday, June 23, 2011

SPRINGFIELD — South High School 2003 graduate and Miami University all-time leading scorer Amanda Jackson wanted to give back to the community the best way she knows how — teaching basketball.

Jackson, a professional basketball player who competed in France last season, is holding a free basketball clinic for all ages at Hayward Middle School on July 1 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

“I’m really excited about it, how it generated interest from the parents and the kids in the community,” Jackson said. “For it to be free, it means a lot. A lot of times, kids won’t go to something because their parents don’t have the financial means.”

She’s bringing in several area coaches and former athletes to help, including Springfield boys coach Isiah Carson, Shawnee girls coach LeeAnn Ballard, South grad and former Kentucky Wesleyan player Danielle Roe, former North and Glenville State player Tryvan Leech, and Kenton Ridge girls assistant Terry Toliver.

“I don’t know how many people I’ve gotten phone calls from about the clinic, asking to come work it or people wanting to bring their kids,” Jackson said.

Jackson spent last season playing in France. She’s also played in Spain, Portugal and Armenia, where she played for the national team and helped them win a silver medal at the 2010 European Championship Women’s Division C.

She’ll spend next season in Israel.

The clinic was originally to be a preview for her upcoming camp for third- through eighth-graders, but she got so many requests, she opened it up to all ages.

Jackson said there’s no limit on the number of children who can come.

“If I have five, that’s great,” Jackson said.

The second annual Amanda Jackson Basketball Camp will be held at Wittenberg University from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on July 23-24. The fee is $50, including a cookout for players and parents on July 24.

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0365, mcooper@coxohio.com or on Twitter @SNS_Wizard.

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