Brigham Waginger showed up as just one of 400-plus youths at the Duke University basketball camp.

Saturday, July 01, 2000

Brigham Waginger showed up as just one of 400-plus youths at the Duke University basketball camp. He came away as one to be known.

Waginger, who will be a seventh grade student at St. Joe Junior High, was one of the top players in team and individual competition at the Duke camp held June 17-21.

Waginger reached the championship of the foul shooting contest, the championship of the 3-point goal shooting contest, and the finals of the Knock Out competition.

In the Knock Out competition, players must make a shot, then either whip the ball between their legs or behind their back, then a new player challenges him and he must make another shot. If you miss a shot and someone makes a shot behind you, then you are eliminated.

Waginger went 18 consecutive times non-stop which was a record for his age group.

"It was a tough competition, but it was fun," Waginger said.

The camp is divided into the Ivy League for 5-8-year-olds, the IBA for 10-13, the College East and West for 14-15, and NBA for 16-18. There also is a Big Ten division for the more advanced 10-14 age group.

Waginger started in the IBA, but quickly moved to the Big Ten. His team – the Buckeyes – went undefeated in the 5-on-5 tournament with an 8-0 record in fullcourt games.

"There was only one team that was close to us, and they got within two points," Waginger said.

Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski was the camp director. The staff included Duke assistant coach Steve Wojciechowski, current players like Jason Williams and K. C. Sanders, and former players.

"Chip is the shooting coach and he has worked with Grant Hill and Steve Kerr," Waginger said. "I got to work out with Williams (Duke point guard) and he taught me a couple of drills.

"When you see all the players and when the coaches sit around the gym and watch you, you get a little nervous," Waginger said.

Waginger said he is hoping to return next year, and his parents have agreed "as long as I keep my grades up."

Brigham is the son of John and Janette Waginger of 1ronton.