Stefan Thompson enjoyed an enriching first session with the 13- to 16-year-old constituents of his second instructional group at Guerin.
Photos by Tina Garceau
Having turned 26 in February and holding a headhunter job for a staffing agency, Stefan Thompson has hit a period in life where one begins to give serious thought to fostering a fruitful future. In plotting his endeavors, though, he knows not to abandon what has served him well and has teamed with longtime friend Eric Funaro to oversee the Precision Player Development Boys’ and Girls’ Basketball Camp at Guerin Recreation Center, 2201 S. 16th St.
“This game has always been a huge part of who I am,” the resident of the 2500 block of South 15th Street said Monday during the first of six evening gatherings for 13- to 16-year-old hoops aficionados. “That’s really because I’ve had consistent exposure to it and saw so many possibilities for me because of it.”
The Marconi dweller and his peer premiered their brainchild April 18 through tutelage geared toward 8- to 12-year-olds. With character development, decision-making skills, goal setting, hard work ethic, leadership ability, responsibility, and teamwork as the sessions’ essentials, the former figure is looking to link the lessons from his accomplished career at the Girard Academic Music Program, 2136 W. Ritner St., and Alvernia University with the youngsters’ burgeoning sense of the sport’s potential power in shaping their formative years.
“There was really nothing like this for us when we were growing up,” Thompson said of his basketball upbringing, with Guerin and his father, Jim, as the constants of his basketball-rich youth. “That intense sort of look at the game just didn’t materialize, so my ultimate goals are to nurture their talent and give them that considerate push to be better.”
Eleven children, including two girls, took to the Newbold court to hear the commanding yet caring voices of Thompson and Funaro, whose friendship stretches back to their days as registrants at St. Monica School, 16th and Porter streets. Feeling they could combine their wisdom to intensify the youthful enthusiasm that locals have for hoops, they came to Guerin last month with creative ideas and a no-nonsense name.
“I saw it on a GMC commercial, and I thought it would fit us because we’re looking for them to be precise,” Thompson said of their brand. “We definitely want to nurture their love of basketball and give them a good edge as competitors and community members, really, who can put it together that what they do as athletes and the tenacity that they show can actually pay off in life.”
“I get a kick out of helping kids at different points in their evolution,” Funaro, of the 2500 block of South Mole Street, said in helping the girls to work on their short-range shots. “This gives them something so positive to do. I’ve worked with guys who it’s hard to get to leave the gym because they’re so invested. That’s something awesome that this game can do.”
The 27-year-old, who serves as an assistant baseball coach for Philadelphia Performing Arts: A String Theory Charter School and will helm the institution’s inaugural boys’ varsity hoops squad next year, championed the dual benefits to helping the owners of loose limbs and eager minds, namely, their growth as appreciators of matching one’s skill set against that of a well-prepared foe and his maturation as a guide. He and Thompson share those notions entirely and have four more tries to continue to convince their charges.
“It helps to learn something each time out there,” the latter leader said. “We want these kids to feel good about what they already know and to be receptive to our backgrounds and pointers.”
Thompson developed a reputation as a smooth shooter while at GAMP, twice receiving All-Public honors. Fully committed to bettering himself, he knew early on that he wanted to land a college scholarship and went on to enjoy a very commendable career at his Reading-based postsecondary facility.
“I think playing under Coach [Art] Kratchman [at GAMP] was a huge key to becoming the player that I did,” he said of the multiple South Philly Review Coach of the Year Award winner. “There was a really good emphasis on playing as a unit so that even when we lost, I feel I got something out of it.”
Funaro played alongside Thompson for three years as a Pioneer and likewise lauded Kratchman for preaching selfless play. He has sought to duplicate that example through his coaching stops and singled out Jimmy O’Mara and Jake Morris as pupils who have excelled.
“It can be fun to go out there for yourself and score a ton of points, but I like the team aspect more,” O’Mara, a freshman at Ss. Neumann-Goretti High School, 1736 S. 10th St., said during a break. “I want to work on my game so that I can see if I’ll be able to play the sport at a higher level as I get older.”
“I like competing and working on my jump shot,” Morris, a St. Monica learner, said of continuing to work with Funaro. “There’s always something to learn when you keep doing a sport and when you have someone who cares to help you.”
The teenagers, of the 1800 block of Shunk and the 1700 block of Ritner streets, respectively, crisply tended to their areas of concentration, leaving their instructors beaming. Set to cap their time together on May 14, Thompson is looking forward to more opportunities as spring gives way to summer, including outdoor tournaments at Barry Playground, 1800 Johnston St., next month.
“No matter what I do, I want basketball to be in my life,” he said. “I want to put all my time to great use, and this game is definitely part of that mission.” SPR
Contact Thompson at 267-804-0224 or sthompson.precision@gmail.com, or Funaro at 215-520-6223 or efunaro.precision@gmail.com.
Contact Editor Joseph Myers at jmyers@southphillyreview.com or ext. 124.
Stefan Thompson enjoyed an enriching first session with the 13- to 16-year-old constituents of his second instructional group at Guerin.
Photos by Tina Garceau
Stefan Thompson enjoyed an enriching first session with the 13- to 16-year-old constituents of his second instructional group at Guerin.
Photos by Tina Garceau
Stefan Thompson enjoyed an enriching first session with the 13- to 16-year-old constituents of his second instructional group at Guerin.
Photos by Tina Garceau
