Hawley Elementary School physical education teacher Doug Michlovitz explained what students would be challenged to do for a National Basketball Association competition on Tuesday, December 16.

It was the second day that Mr Michlovitz was showing students the NBA-sponsored FIT Dribble Swish & Dish competition.

According to the program’s website, fit.nba.com, the NBA FIT Dribble Swish & Dish program is a free competition that offers boys and girls between the ages of 7 and 12 to showcase their basketball skills by competing in a timed skills course, designed to challenge participants to dribble, pass, and shoot hoops accurately and quickly. Students participate in one of three levels, divided by age and gender. The competition is open to the Tri-State Area, according to the website, and it will be held in three levels. Students compete locally, then a regional competition is held, and finally an All-Star Finals competition will be held in February at NBA All-Star in New York City.

Having all of Hawley’s students participate will take about a week-and-a-half, according to Mr Michlovitz.

When one of his classes entered the gymnasium on Tuesday, December 16, Mr Michlovitz was ready to explain the skills course mapped out for them on half of the school’s gymnasium’s floor.

Students were told to show dribbling abilities, different styles for shooting hoops, and displaying passing kills, all while being timed.

Mr Michlovitz said he believes other area organizations are taking part in the NBA Fit Dribble Swish & Dish competition. Sandy Hook School’s Jackie Lloyd first shared the news of the competition with Mr Michlovitz, and she is also planning to host the competition at her school for her students.

Mr Michlovitz said the top boy and girl from each school will make it into the regional event of the competition.