In D.J. Steinberg’s first season as head coach, the Lady Knights went from a 2-20 record the season before to finish with a 12-10 mark, and they returned to the District 10 playoffs after a five-year absence. Eisenhower regularly started three freshmen, including Region 3 all-star Clara Steinberg, for the team’s first winning record in 11 seasons.

“Our goal is to build up the talent level for Eisenhower kids as well as all kids in Warren County,” said Coach Steinberg, who has seen first-hand what offseason work with local trainer and AAU coach Bernard Edwards has done for his daughter and Eisenhower teammates Lainey Font and Lainey Belcher among others.

The B Edwards Elite Summer Camp with Bernard Edwards is open to all youth in grades second through eighth. The cost is $40 per participant for the week and can be paid at the first session.

“Over the years, I’ve learned that the greatest gift an adult can give to a child is their time,” said Coach Steinberg. “With your time, you can help kids understand that they should establish goals, and that they can achieve those goals through hard work, no matter how farfetched those goals may seem.

Bernard Edwards has played for the Jamestown Jackals and coaches six AAU youth basketball teams in the area. Photo submitted to Times Observer

“Why Bernard? Bernard is a high-level basketball skills teacher who focuses on fundamentals. But he offers so much more than that in that he builds character in his trainees,” added Steinberg. “Bernard makes elite players capable of playing at the highest level. I have seen it firsthand with boys and girls that I have coached over the years, whether they are from Warren, Sheffield, Russell, Jamestown, Randolph, Erie, etc. Bernard makes players capable of playing college ball and he gives them his time to help them get to where they want to go. He is on the court helping them as long as they are able to be on the court, even when it runs into his own time. You will often see Bernard at high school and junior high games to offer his encouragement for the kids he trains. He is one of those larger-than-life types of guys who gives that greatest gift — the gift of time — to kids. When you find a guy like Bernard, finding ways of helping him help the kids brings the level of basketball up for all of Warren County.

“While bringing in Bernard is something new to our program, we plan on making it a yearly event for the community,” Coach Steinberg added.

Edwards has been a guard/forward for the Jamestown Jackals, and has played professionally for many years across the United States and overseas. During his time as a college basketball player at Defiance College, he was an All-American, conference MVP and tournament MVP. Also during college, he started his own basketball training service and has developed national networks and an enormous following.

“He has continued to develop new basketball training techniques as he works with various youth across the country,” Coach Steinberg said. “Bernard has coached high school basketball, trained professional athletes, and he currently coaches six interstate AAU basketball teams, as well as a team that competes at the national level.”

Interested participants are asked to pre-register for the camp by Aug. 4 to guarantee a T-shirt. To pre-register or for information, email ladyknightsbasketballboosters@gmail.com. Those interested may also call 814-462-9305 or visit the Eisenhower Lady Knights Basketball Facebook page. If participants are registering the day of the event, they are asked to arrive between 9 and 9:30 a.m. Checks may be made to the EHS Girls Basketball Boosters.