DEMOPOLIS &8212; The staff at the Theo Ratliff Activity Center is actively going through its final preparations for the upcoming annual basketball camp it hosts in conjunction with Demopolis Middle School and Demopolis High School.

According to Ward, the camp drew more than 300 students aged 7-18 in 2007; a number some organizers believe will be surpassed this year. Reportedly more the center has already received 160 pre-registration forms.

While the utilization of multiple facilities allows organizers to better accommodate the high volume of attendees, it also requires they employ more coaches to assist the young people.

Jesse Bell is scheduled to oversee the DHS site while Ricky Richardson holds down the fort at the Ratliff Center. Leroy Harris and Rollie McCall will assist the players at DMS.

At the conclusion of the camp, attendees and staff at each facility convene at the Ratliff Center for an awards ceremony designed to recognize individual players that excel in various areas. At that meeting each player will also be presented with a commemorative cap and T-shirt.

Ward reported that a committee has been at work organizing the camp for more than a month, coordinating aspects such as guest speakers, buses, lunches, coaches and even an anti-tobacco program that will coincide with the event.

The camp will take place from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday.