That’s because of the various camps, jamborees and workouts the team participates in through the heat of the summer.

Coach Battle Watkins took 32 players on four teams — two varsity and two junior varsity — to a team camp at N.C. State from June 11-14 and the teams performed as expected. The varsity teams went 5-3 overall and both junior varsity squads made it to the camp finals, one of which won its championship game.

Other summer events will include a pair of exhibition games today and on July 13, but all of last week was dedicated to a matter of great importance in the community — the kids.

“The question when we started the kids camp was how can we create basketball interest within our community and work with parks and recreation at the same time,” Watkins said of the beginnings of the Knightdale High School and Knightdale Parks and Recreation camp that has now been running for five years.

He said it’s truly a win-win to be able to work with kids who show interest in the sport and may end up playing hoops as a Knight. He said coming to the week-long camp, which ran from June 29-July 3, gives the kids and idea of what the Knightdale program is all about.

The camp is good for the town, good for the school, and good for basketball players from both the town and school.

“On top of how it can help our program, we’re really getting to connect with these children, so it’s a great situation,” Watkins said.

He said the camp volunteers from the high school teams, although older than the campers, are still kids, and that there are plenty of life lessons for them to learn too. Assistant coach Brandon Kimble, who’s worked the camp for two years now, agreed.

“It’s good to help mold and shape these kids into leaders,” Kimble said. “They’re forming bonds now, and that’s when the championships are won — in the summer. They’re here working hard with the kids while others their age are out playing and at the beach or behind a remote control.”

Watkins said he tries to get his rising seniors involved as a way of rewarding them for their hard work, and giving them a little more of a grip on the reigns at the same time.

“It’s good for them to see there are more important things than just them and what they’re doing,” Watkins said. “But they’re great — I couldn’t run the camp without them. And at the same time they have to learn how to teach and learn compassion and humility. I’m very pleased.”

The camp may not have drawn numbers seen in past years, but Watkins said the 23 that made it out were more manageable and got good one-on-one coaching as a result.

After the July jamborees, the high school basketball team will begin workouts, although many are already pumping iron for football season. Watkins said such hard work on the part of his players is something that’s never bothered him.