About 225 girls ages 8 to 17 packed the Marietta Middle School gym Sunday, July 19, for a free basketball clinic run by the I Hoop Too Foundation, an Atlanta-based nonprofit that uses the sport to build confidence in young women.

The seventh annual event, organized by founder and CEO Christina Granville, drew participants from across Georgia and as far as Tennessee and Alabama. Granville, a former Saint Leo University team captain who played semi-professionally in the WUBA and B3 League, is known online and on Atlanta's V103 Morning Show as "Ms. Basketball."

Girls split into groups to work on dribbling, shooting, ball handling and defense with volunteer coaches. A "confidence station" gave participants space to talk about goal setting and self-improvement.

"I was a kid in this gym," said Georgia Rep. Mary Frances Williams, D-Marietta, who helped promote the clinic and attended Saturday. "I worry that we don't do enough for girls, so this is fabulous."

Williams, who grew up in Marietta City Schools, represents House District 37, which covers parts of East Cobb and downtown Marietta.

The clinic's venue came together late. Organizers had difficulty finding a location until Marietta Middle School offered its gym, according to Granville. Previous years' clinics rotated among facilities around metro Atlanta, including Cristo Rey High School in Atlanta for the 2025 edition.

Families traveled significant distances to get there. Allanah Martin, 15, drove with her parents from DeKalb County after seeing the clinic promoted on Fox 5. She said the atmosphere was welcoming regardless of skill level.

Brianna Brown, 13, made the trip from Milledgeville after her mother spotted the event on Facebook. Brown, who has played basketball since childhood, said she enjoyed connecting with other players her age.

Granville said showing up for young women leaves a lasting impression they won't forget. The free clinic, she said, is about giving girls an experience that proves they matter both on and off the court.

Days before the clinic, the I Hoop Too Foundation took a group of girls to an Atlanta Dream WNBA game on Thursday, July 16, where they received courtside seats and met players afterward.

The foundation, which focuses on personal development, education and health and wellness, also runs mentoring programs, coat and food drives, breast cancer awareness events and scholarships throughout the year. Residents interested in future programs can visit ihooptoofoundation.org.