While most local youths are trying to keep cool during the summer months, basketball continues to heat up as Blaze Sports Academy offers regular training, competition and, most recently, even a visit from guest speaker Pete Lisicky.

Last Wednesday, July 17, about 40 kids taking part in the Blaze Sports Academy put down the basketball and took a seat to hear from Lisicky.

Lisicky was a four-year starter at Whitehall High School in Pennsylvania and is the school’s all-time leading scorer with 1,974 points to his name.

Along with numerous high school honors, Lisicky went on to play for Penn State, going on to become the school’s second all-time leading scorer at the time (he still holds down that honor in fourth place).

Lisicky continued to amass quite a few honors and recognitions, going on to play basketball professionally for 11 uninterrupted seasons in Europe. He won championships playing for Italy and Switzerland, as well as playing for teams in Germany, France and Poland.

Now Lisicky and his family reside in Fountain Hills, wrapping up his career a little over four years ago.

“As you can tell, I love the game of basketball,” Lisicky told the Blaze athletes last Wednesday night.

He went on to say that, no matter what you’re participating in, you should always try to learn one new thing and make one new friend.

Along with basketball tips and stories, Lisicky also focused on the importance of practicing.

“Whether it’s basketball, playing the piano, video games or whatever, you have to keep practicing if you want to get better,” he said.

“Keep practicing and, most importantly, learn the fundamentals.”

Blaze Sports Academy co-founder Chad Holland said that they hope to see Lisicky make a return visit, as club members were eager to soak in everything he had to say.

New program

Currently, Blaze Sports has about 60 members with participants ranging in age from four years to 12. The club plays basketball year-round, also offering four traveling competitive teams.

Basketball is a big focus, however, Holland said that it’s called Blaze “Sports” Academy for a reason, as the organization offers several multi-sports programs throughout the year.

Most recently, Blaze has set up a partnership with the Fountain Hills Charter School for this fall, set to host an intramural sports club on the school’s campus.

The club will be open to students in second through sixth grade and participants do not need to be attending FHCS, or even live in Fountain Hills, to attend.

For more details on the intramurals program or Blaze’s other programs, visit blazesportsacademy.com.