Bonham PIPS recently performed at the American Airlines Center in Dallas during halftime of the Harlem Globetrotter game.  Before the game, the group of elementary age youth attended a meet and greet with three of the Globetrotters.

PIP stands for Players in Progress. PIP is a national organization that was started in 1987 by Coaches David and Brenda Land. Their daughter Angie was the first PIP.  Today, Angie is married to Russell Best, who is also the head boys basketball coach of Bonham High School.  From the first group of 45 children, the PIP program has grown and spread across the country to several states. The Bonham PIP group got its most recent start in 2006 under the leadership of Coach Shannon Massie Edwards.  This year, Edwards returned to the role of head girls basketball coach for Bonham High School.

 

PIP teaches basketball skills to boys and girls in grades Kindergarten through 6th grade. The skills are then coordinated, rehearsed, set to music and performed during half time of local high school and college basketball games. Through practice and performances, the kids learn basic basketball skills, develop self-confidence, practice teamwork, learn to perform in front of a crowd, have lots of fun and more.

 

Bonham PIPS has 35 participants this year.  This year’s coaches include Sandy Barber, Angie Best, Sherry Capehart, Jeri Flanery, Kelly Royce, John Smithson, Stephanie White and Tim White.

Bonham PIPS will perform during the Bonham Warriors final home game on Tuesday, Feb 7.  Some of the PIPS have already started practicing and making plans to attend  the PIP Festival at Abilene Christian University in Abilene.

For more information about the Bonham PIPS, go to www.bonhampips.org.