There was plenty of dribbling, passing and shooting going on at the Fourth Annual Sports Works Academy basketball camp Saturday morning at the Avenue B YMCA gym.

But the focus was more dedicated to life skills.

“We want to teach the kids about more than just basketball,” director Michael Galloway said, “and what it takes to become a well-rounded individual.”

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Galloway got plenty of help from with that from fellow coaches Nikita Wilson, Terrence Jones, Murnell Galloway and Alan Henry.

“These guys made it easy for me by being so committed to coming down every year,” Galloway said.

The crew ran a four-hour seminar that began with stretching and warm-ups before taking them through various fundamental skill sets. After three-on-three and full-court pickup games, the focus turned to life lessons, including academics, nutrition, proper rest and utilization of time.

“Each coach will spend time talking about their life experiences and how to be successful,” Galloway said. “We have a variety of guys here with different backgrounds but everyone has gone on to get their education and we really focus on that with the kids.”

SWA was created out of a desire to give back to the community by giving kids an opportunity to do different things, Galloway, a native of Bogalusa, said.

The idea came from a chance meeting with Wilson, a long-time friend Galloway originally met while playing college basketball with Wilson’s high school teammates at Dillard University.

“There is a very positive reaction,” Galloway said. “I am very pleased to see a lot of repeat kids. That let’s me know that they are enjoying it and we are glad to see those kids develop.”

Wilson, a Pineville native, played at LSU and was drafted by the Portland Trailblazers.

Jones, a Lutcher native, was an All-American quarterback at Tulane and was drafted by the San Diego Chargers before playing in the Canadian Football League.

Murnell Galloway, Galloway’s older brother, and Henry are also from Bogalusa, where all three were all-district performers. Murnell Galloway currently works in the insurance industry in Houston, while Henry works with the FBI in New Orleans and Michael Galloway resides in Atlanta.

SWA holds camps throughout Louisiana, but Bogalusa’s holds a special place in Galloway’s heart.

“We don’t have a sponsor,” Galloway said. “All this is funded through private contributions and by local churches.”

Galloway’s father has a local church in the area and his mother held a hot dog sale to help fund the camp that teaches teamwork, communication and leadership.

“Those are the essential functions that not only work in the game of basketball but in life as well,” Galloway said. “Those are skills you continue to use throughout your life.”