Calallen sees significant numbers increase for girls basketball camp

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — It’s no secret that the popularity of women’s sports is at an all-time high. All you have to do is look at the current ratings of the WNBA and this past softball world series, but now we’re starting to see that popularity trickle down to youth sports as well.

3NEWS stopped by Calallen’s Lady ‘Cat basketball camp Monday where Head Coach Juan Ozuna said their numbers have gone from about 65 last summer to over 100 this year. Those are girls ranging from kindergartners all the way to incoming high school freshmen.

Ozuna says many of his campers are looking forward to being future Lady ‘Cats thanks in part to big time stars like Caitlin Clarke, Paige Bueckers and A’ja Wilson in the WNBA, combined with the success of the women’s sports at Calallen, especially the three-time defending state champion softball team. 

“Now you see much younger girls kind of aiming to be the next Caitlyn Clark,” Ozuna said. “I think we also have a very good community here that is very invested in developing their young athletes, so we’ve got girls that want to be the next district champ and the next state champ.”

“Seeing that professional basketball is getting bigger, I just feel like more people want to watch,” incoming Calallen 9th grader Cody Forbes said. “(The camp) has grown a lot because we invite our friends and they keep inviting their friends and everyone just starts coming and it’s really fun.”

In addition to the powerhouse softball team, Calallen volleyball went perfect in district last season and the girls’ basketball team reached the area round. So the future looks bright for several Lady ‘Cats programs.