MOORPARK 'TROTTERS; HARLEM'S LEGENDARY TEAM LEADS AREA BASKETBALL CAMP.

Byline: Paul O'Donoghue Staff Writer

The thunk of rebounding basketballs and squeal of sneakers filled Moorpark College's gym Monday morning as youngsters took to the court in the Harlem Globetrotters basketball summer camp.

Ballplayers from the legendary Globetrotters were coaching 150 campers, 6 to 16 years old, on dribbling and shooting during the first day of the weeklong camp.

``First, you've got to learn the fundamentals,'' Globetrotter Clyde Sinclair said about his message to the kids he is coaching. ``You ain't going to learn this overnight.''

Sinclair was dressed in the trademark red, white and blue of the club founded in 1927 in New York City.

Newbury Park resident Fred Doria sat in the bleachers with his 9-year-old grandson, Ryan, who watched intently as another set of youngsters played under the watchful eye of the Globetrotters.

Ryan lives in Inglewood but is visiting his grandfather to be closer to the action this week. In a drawing at a shopping mall, Ryan's mother won a full scholarship for the camp.

``He was up early. He woke up and walked into my room and said, I'm checkin' on you, wake up,'' said Doria.

The camp, only one in this area, is among 20 that the Globetrotters have scheduled for the summer in cities across the nation, said Kim Garvey, a vice president of the ball club.

The cost of the camp is $175, and youngsters attend three-hour sessions either in the morning or the afternoon.

``The message we like to give - the real focus of this - is that the kids not only get basketball skills, but we share a lot of life skills with them as well,'' said Garvey.

She said the Globetrotter players emphasize the importance of staying in school and learning how to get along with others on a team, but to stay away from gangs and drugs.

Moorpark College officials said they welcomed the summer camp on campus.

``They called us, and I thought it was a good opportunity to have something that's good for our community,'' said Al Nordquist, a former basketball player and coach who heads up the college's athletic programs.

For the boys and girls who are attending, the camp was a hit on the first day.

``It's fun,'' said Emon Yazdi of Colina Middle School in Westlake Village. ``We learned to work together as a team.''

Marisa Bernabi, 12, of Pacoima Middle School said she was learning more than the fundamentals of basketball.

``We learned to get along with other people,'' she said.

``We made a lot of new friends,'' said Jessica Hernandez, also 12 and a Pacoima Middle School student. ``It's a real good opportunity to meet other kids. And you get to meet lots of different people from different places.''

Michael Adams of Moorpark watched his son, 8-year-old Michael, line up with other kids for more set shots.

``I hope the kids have fun and learn,'' said Adams, ``and for another thing they expend more of their energy.''

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2 Photos

PHOTO (1--Color) Harlem Globetrotter Wun Versher leads kids in exercises Monday on the first day of a weeklong basketball camp at Moorpark College.

(2--Color) (Ran in Conejo Edition only) Children line up for exercises at Globetrotters camp.

Andy Holzman/Daily News