<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1GUKoY_1GknMv1i00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1GUKoY_1GknMv1i00" width="504" height="350" >Golf course supt. building new youth program focused on fundamentalsMost people in Aurora know Justin Kosmicki as the superintendent at Poco Creek Golf Course. What they might not know is that when he’s not tending to the golf course, he’s likely thinking about basketball.Kosmicki has spent much of his life around the game, first as a player and now as a coach and mentor. His latest venture brings those interests together through Next Level Academy, a basketball development program he’s helping expand into Aurora and the surrounding area.The goal is straightforward, to help young players improve their skills, learn the finer points of the game and find opportunities to compete, while making basketball development accessible to families throughout central Nebraska.Kosmicki’s involvement in coaching began years ago in Kearney, where he started working individually with young players. He had experienced that type of instruction himself as a youngster and understood the difference it could make in a player’s development.Although his professional career eventually took him into the golf industry, his interest in teaching basketball never disappeared. Kosmicki had scored more than 1,700 points during his high school career at Johnson County Central and had continued playing recreationally as an adult.The initial opportunity here in Aurora was to volunteer with the high school program. That experience led to opportunities to work with players outside the high school program and what began with a handful of youngsters gradually grew as word spread among families and coaches.“My whole purpose is to develop the Aurora kids, and the way to do that is to bring in some kids from outside the area,” he explained.Kosmicki began organizing teams for additional competition, including tournaments, but wanted the emphasis to remain on player development rather than simply accumulating games.“My goal is to get you in here and develop you as a basketball player first,” he said.That philosophy helped shape the local program’s relationship with Next Level Academy, which was established by Don Oliver in Gretna. Kosmicki had worked with Oliver previously and watched as the academy developed into a successful basketball training operation.After discussing how to expand the concept, the two agreed to bring the Next Level Academy name and program to Aurora. The arrangement connects the local operation with Oliver’s established brand while allowing Kosmicki to develop players in this part of the state.“The program is not intended to be exclusively a tournament team,” he explained. “While players have opportunities to compete against teams from other communities, I focus on the individual instruction and practice that helps them become better players.”He also wants to avoid the idea that participation is reserved for only the most talented youngsters.Kosmicki said he doesn’t like the traditional tryout approach, which can leave developing players believing they aren’t good enough to participate. Instead, he wants young athletes to have the opportunity to learn, improve and find an appropriate level of competition.As the program grows, he plans to organize teams according to players’ ages and abilities, giving youngsters opportunities to advance as their skills develop.Training sessionsA typical training session combines instruction with competition. He noted that players might spend time working on ball handling, shooting, finishing at the basket or defensive positioning before moving into game situations and scrimmages.“I prefer drills that put players in motion rather than having them stand in one place repeating the same movements,” he said. “I want them to learn how to react to opponents, handle physical play and make decisions under pressure.”The sessions also include instruction in the less obvious aspects of basketball, such as setting screens, executing plays, understanding defensive assignments and recognizing situations that develop during a game.Competition is an important part of the process, but Kosmicki believes it should complement instruction rather than replace it. “I would describe my coaching style as energetic and demanding, with an expectation that players work hard while still enjoying their time on the court,” he said. The local program currently serves roughly 25 to 30 players, primarily boys in the upper elementary and middle school grades, although Kosmicki also works individually with girls and hopes to develop girls’ teams as interest grows.Players come from Aurora and other communities in the region including Giltner, Sutton, Hastings and Superior, and he hopes to attract additional players from throughout central Nebraska.Sessions are generally held once a week, with the schedule adjusted around other school activities and sports. During the summer, players have opportunities to participate in tournaments as well.Kosmicki charges $30 per player for a training session, with tournament expenses handled separately. He said the program is designed to give families another option for basketball development without requiring the travel and expense often associated with larger club programs.For families in smaller communities, access to specialized instruction can mean driving considerable distances to find training opportunities. Kosmicki hopes Aurora can become a convenient alternative for players who want to improve without spending so much time on the road.He also credits former Husky Tommy Leininger, who joined the operation this summer, with helping expand the program. Leininger works directly with players and has helped coach teams at tournaments, allowing the program to serve more youngsters while Kosmicki balances basketball with his responsibilities at Poco Creek.His ambitions for the basketball program extend beyond the players already participating. He wants to build a regional network of youngsters who can come to Aurora for instruction and competition, helping players from different communities improve together.“I think stronger competition and better individual development can benefit Aurora’s players as they move into junior high and high school basketball,” he said. “I also want kids who might otherwise drift away from basketball to have a place to continue learning and playing.”For Kosmicki, the measure of success isn’t simply how many tournaments a team enters or how many games it wins. “It’s really about whether players are improving, gaining confidence and developing the skills needed to compete at the next level,” he said. “That’s what I’m striving for.”And while basketball may occupy more of his thoughts during the colder months, Kosmicki sees the program as a year-round opportunity to share a game that has remained an important part of his life.For more information, call 402-335-0378.</div></body>

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Golf course supt. building new youth program focused on fundamentals. Most people in Aurora know Justin Kosmicki as the superintendent at Poco Creek Golf Course. What they might not know is that when he’s not tending to the golf course, he’s likely thinking about basketball. Kosmicki has spent...

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Golf course supt. building new youth program focused on fundamentals. Most people in Aurora know Justin Kosmicki as the superintendent at Poco Creek Golf C

Kosmicki brings Next Level hoops to Aurora

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