While the official tip off of basketball season is still a few months away, over 40 local hoopsters took to the hardwood at the Troy Parks and Recreation center Friday morning.

The children participated in the free basketball camp put on by Motivating Others Through Christ.

The four-hour camp allowed attendees to work on the finer points of their game, such as shooting, ball handling, defense and passing.

The camp was led by former local basketball stars, including Erica Henderson.

Henderson starred at Charles Henderson in the from 2006-2010, and left as one of the most dynamic girls players in school history.

Henderson was named to the All-State second team and was named team MVP following her senior season. During her career in orange and blue, she averaged 22 points, six rebounds, four steals, four assists and one block per game.

This season, as a senior for the Alabama State Lady Hornets, Henderson averaged 5.6 points per game, and saw action in 30 games. She was also named as the ASU Student Athlete of the Month in January 2013.

Henderson, a senior physical education major., has a 3.681 GPA.

She sat on the panel discussion titled “How to be a Successful Student” for incoming student-athletes this past summer, and is looking to attend graduate school. Henderson scored a career-high 18 points in the Lady Hornets’ win over Jackson State in January.

Henderson said she is proud to come back to her home town to host the camp, and to grow the game she loves.

“I love to come back and volunteer at camps like this, because when I was coming up we didn’t have things like this,” Henderson said. “The camps I went to, I had to travel to places like Auburn, Montgomery and others. Troy is known for putting out great football players and baseball players, but not as many basketball players. Any way I can help my hometown, I am all for it.”

Campers ranged in age from 6-17.

The camp on Friday was the second annual event, and sponsored by Humbled Hearts Inc.