Bridgewater-Raritan Basketball Camp

Our Campers receive quality instruction from the high school coaching staff and the guest speakers. The teaching focus is on fundamental skills that all players need to learn. These are skills that will help young players today but also gives them a foundation to build upon for high school.

Yet, there is more to our camp than simply learning how to shoot, dribble, catch, and pass the basketball. We recognize that each child possess a different level of ability; therefore, we reinforce the importance of being a good listener and following the instruction of coaches to the best of the individual’s ability. We understand not every camper comes with the same skill experience, so we stress the value of making the attempt, learning from mistakes and doing it a little bit better the next time. There is nothing more gratifying than watching a young camper grow in talent, character and spirit.

Gene McAteer, Camp Director & BRHS Panthers Varsity Coach
2015 -- SILVER ANNIVERSARY

2020 -- 30th ANNIVERSARY (Covid cancelled)
31st Year of Working with Kids!
1991-2021

Coach Gene McAteer started what is now the Bridgewater-Raritan Basketball Camp in 1991, in nearby Warren, NJ at age 23. The camp was originally called the Watchung Hills Basketball camp since McAteer is a 1986 graduate of the school.

Residing out-of-state and coaching basketball on the college level from 1990-2001, McAteer would return to his home town each summer for the annual camp program at Watchung Hills. This connection led to a job opportunity in 2001. 

McAteer was hired by Watchung Hills Regional High School as a business teacher and the boys' basketball coach for the 2001-2002 school year. The team made seven straight trips to the NJSIAA tournament which was unprecedented for the former Somerset County doormat. The 2007-08 team went 23-4 and won the Somerset County Boys' Basketball Championship! During that season, Watchung faced Plainfield, Piscataway, Union, and Immaculata which were all top 20 teams in the state. Other private schools like Rutgers Prep and Gill had not yet begun to recruit heavily for basketball yet.

In July of 2008, McAteer accepted a teaching position at Bridgewater-Raritan High School and took over the Panther basketball program. After a brief rebuilding period, the BRHS Panthers returned to their winning ways with eight consecutive winning season! When Coach McAteer arrived at BRHS, the Camp was run in both Bridgewater and Warren. Since the camp program has been so successful, it is now exclusively a Bridgewater-Raritan operation. 

“I have had the opportunity to direct, lecture, and work at many different levels of basketball camps throughout my coaching career. Gene McAteer’s summer basketball camps are a can’t miss experience for your child this summer. Gene represents the type of coach/director any parent would want their child to learn the fun-damentals from. His experience, organization, creativity and most importantly ability to incorporate a fun basketball experience for each child will be the highlight of their summer camp experience!”

Tim Ortelli, Former Head Basketball Coach at Bridgewater-Raritan High School and Rutgers Prep and now he is enjoying retirement.

Coach Ortelli has been the Featured Guest Speaker multiple times