Henlon Hoops shooting for well-rounded games

SANDUSKY — Jason Henlon wasn't sure how his first Henlon Hoops camp would go. "I wasn't sure if we were gonna get kids that were just forced to be here, but we got a whole bunch of kids who loved to be here and want to keep playing," said Henlon after the two-day camp wrapped up Wednesday at Sandusky Intermediate. "The first day I had more fun than I imagined I'd have. Most of these kids really love playing basketball. It made me happy seeing that, because that's how I was when I was younger going to camps. I'm grateful for this opportunity." Henlon, who led Sandusky to the state final four in 2025, was the face of the basketball camp that had 58 kids in grades 3-6 sign up. His parents, Trina and Jason Sr., helped organize the camp. "It was my mom's idea and she ran with it," Jason said. "My mom and dad started this and all the volunteers really helped out and Ta'Sharra (Jeffries, Sandusky girls basketball assistant coach) helped out with a lot of things." A handful of former Sandusky players and coaches — including Issian Redding, Cole Prophet and Ryan Williams — helped with instruction. Day 1 of the camp focused on skills while Day 2 was about competition. The campers also heard talks about the importance of academics and character. "We had a lot of fun playing games and doing drills, but we also talked about character, being coachable and focusing on academics," Henlon said. "At the end of the day, you can't be on the team without having good grades and being coachable. "The camp went well. The kids listened. We all had fun. I'm looking forward to being able to do this next year." Henlon is entering his second season playing for the University of Ashland. He is majoring in sports management. Ashland associate head coach Brook Turson, a native of Plymouth who was a four-time player of the year in the Firelands Conference and later played for Ashland, dropped by and delivered five Ashland basketballs to give away as prizes. Henlon posed for photos with campers after the awards ceremony. He was asked if he realized the impact he has on area youngsters. "I didn't at first, but after playing my last year (at Sandusky) and coming back and going to games and everybody coming up to me, and after this camp, I see it now," he said. "I gotta make sure when I'm in public I'm doing everything right." Henlon said that he might be interested in coaching once his playing career ends. "I love the game of basketball, and being able to watch kids and help them out when I can is something I love doing," he said. "I have little brothers and we go outside and work on stuff all the time."