Hundreds of local kids headed to the Capitol with basketballs in hand to learn how to dribble, play defense and make a shot. The Hoopla Free Kids Clinic, led by Salem Capitals owner Jason Conrad, was held on Court Street from 10 a.m. to noon Friday. It drew a crowd of young basketball players who did skill-building drills and got coaching from local high school and college players. Hoopla’s main event will kick off this weekend, starting Saturday at 8 a.m. with the national anthem. Read more about Hoopla here. A child shoots a basket at the Hoopla Free Kids Clinic event in Salem. (BROOK FERRIS/Salem Reporter) A child gets ready to shoot a basket at the Hoopla Free Kids Clinic event in Salem. (BROOK FERRIS/Salem Reporter) Participants of the Hoopla Free Kids Clinic perform warmup drills ahead of the event. (BROOK FERRIS/Salem Reporter) Children dribble basketballs during the Hoopla Kids Free Clinic Event outside the Oregon State Capitol in Salem, Ore. (BROOK FERRIS/Salem Reporter) A young participant of the Hoopla Free Kids Clinic crouches with basketballs while focusing on the fundamentals of basketball. (BROOK FERRIS/Salem Reporter) Children fill the streets of Salem at the 27th annual Hoopla Free Kids Clinic event. (BROOK FERRIS/Salem Reporter) Volunteer Liam Etzel jumps to make a basket ahead of the Hoopla Free Clinic for elementary and middle school students. (BROOK FERRIS/Salem Reporter) Jason Conrad gives volunteers instructions ahead of the Hoopla Free Kids Clinic event. (BROOK FERRIS/Salem Reporter) Youth attending the Hoopla Free Clinic event dribble and shoot baskets during the event. (BROOK FERRIS/Salem Reporter) Liam W (left) and Michael R stop to smile for a photo at the 27th annual Hoopla Free Kids Clinic event. (BROOK FERRIS/Salem Reporter) Participants of the Hoopla Free Kids Clinic take a quick break from basketball to high-five mascot “Chuck” Cheese. (BROOK FERRIS/Salem Reporter) A child chases after a basketball at the Hoopla Free Clinic event. (BROOK FERRIS/Salem Reporter) Volunteers Liam Etzel (left), Nolan Ziebert and Gradyn Dobrkovsky shoot hoops ahead of the Hoopla Free Kids Clinic event. (BROOK FERRIS/Salem Reporter) A child reaches for the hoop while shooting a basket at the Hoopla Free Kids Clinic event. (BROOK FERRIS/Salem Reporter) Preston Kimbrough (left), Mason Ziebert, and Noah Patterson play a game of basketball at the Hoopla event. (BROOK FERRIS/Salem Reporter) Youth attending the Hoopla Free Clinic perform warmup drills ahead of the Hoopla Free Clinic event. (BROOK FERRIS/Salem Reporter) A child dripples a basketball at the Hoopla Free Clinic event. (BROOK FERRIS/Salem Reporter) A young participant of the Hoopla Free Kids Clinic shoots a basket as spectators watch. (BROOK FERRIS/Salem Reporter) The post PHOTO GALLERY: Hundreds of kids in Salem learn basketball basics at Hoopla’s free clinic appeared first on Salem Reporter. ...read more read less