BeaverBlitz.com - Christmas with the Catchers...

January 5, 2008

Chris Cook, Hoop 101
NevadaPrepReport.com

Henry (Hen-Hen) Thorns Sr. and the Las Vegas Dogcatchers are an organization that is thoroughly entrenched in the Las Vegas valley. They have been in existence since 1981. Many players have played for the Dogcatchers through the years including the Phoenix Suns' Marcus Banks, NBDL Rio Grande Valley's C.J. Watson, Virginia Tech's Hank Thorns Jr., Southern Utah University's Mike Josserand, former University of Washington and current College of Southern Idaho player Harvey Perry Jr., current Colorado St. signee (now attending prep school) Donte Poole, some of the valley's top rated seniors like South Carolina St. signee Darian Norris of Mojave and Eldorado's Michael Elliott Jr., and some of the city's top rated juniors like Cimarron-Memorial's Michael Cutright and Desert Pine's Reggie Shaw. And that's just the tip of the iceberg.

Over the years, this organization has done many positive things in the Las Vegas community. So when Hen-Hen decided to hold a basketball camp the weekend before Christmas and promised to give over 200 kids Christmas gifts, it really didn't take the valley by surprise like it would in ordinary places. In fact, most people just figured it was Hen just being his usual giving self. And they were right! The truth is, there wasn't much that wasn't provided by Mr. Thorns. The kids were talked to and lectured about the importance of education and staying out of trouble, when many of them come from crime-filled communities. They were also given basketball instruction and played in age based games. From there they were treated to jumpers (the smaller kids) and music (the older kids). Food was served after that, and finally the kids returned back inside to receive their gifts. There was a room in the back of the Doolittle Community Center filled with gifts that included bikes, scooters, skateboards, rollerblades, wagons, basketballs, footballs, dolls, action figures, boards games, etc…as well as clothing for those that needed it. This was an all day event!

Need I say more?

Enjoy the pics below!

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