Developing future talent is essential for any sport.

Recognizing this, the Cochrane High varsity boys basketball team were up bright and early on Dec. 20 to volunteer and coach at the Bearspaw School.

Jamie McLellan, who's helping coach the varsity team after previously coaching their junior team, explains they were at the school to run drills and scrimmages with the grade 7 and 8 boys.

"It was an opportunity to develop a connection with local young talent," explains McLellan. "This year we are working at developing these ties, giving the boys a chance to give to the schools they developed at, and also showing the younger boys what team they might belong to later in years to come."

To his knowledge, it's the first time in 10 years, if ever, the Cobras have gone to the school to assist in developing budding basketball talent.

He's particularly proud to see the team give back to the schools where they previously played the sport and he's hoping they will go to at least two other schools to run similar sessions.

"It’s the stuff dreams are made of to get these groups together and have some fun."

"I just thought in working with the senior boys this year it would be great for them to go back to the schools they played at and help develop the talent at the middle schools. It's an opportunity to connect and they enjoyed it."