The Riders Basketball Club's trip to the Gonzaga University basketball camp took on a much different feel from the first trip in 2009. This year we took two teams, split mainly by age. Coach Salmond had Jesse Rogalski (Hudson Bay), Michael Burym (Sturgis), Matthew Gillis (Thompson), Kevin McCharles (The Pas), J.J. Nash (Flin Flon); Connor Neu (Hudson Bay), Tyler Sutton (The Pas), and Matt Auger (Hudson Bay). Coach Harmon had JayCee Dallyn (Hudson Bay), Mitch McCune (Hudson Bay), Matthew Bigelow (The Pas), Matthew Douglas (The Pas), Steven Bernard (Hudson Bay), Sam Folk (Sturgis), Max Folk (Sturgis) and Kyle Kezema (Hudson Bay).
The camp opened with a one-possession tournament. Coach Salmond's team was up first and lost right away to Toppenish from southern Washington State. It was not the start we wanted down there as they lost because of their own execution, missing four free throws and a gimme layup by Nash. The day ended with both teams playing a game. Coach Salmond's team opened up with Mount Baker 1 from Deming, Washington just south of Vancouver. The team played very well and came away with a 59-54 win.
Sunday started off with Coach Salmond's team playing an early game against Newburg High School from just southwest of Portland, Oregon and came away with a 46-34 loss.
In another one-possession game tourney, Coach Salmond's team took on Chiawana from Richland, Washington right near the Oregon border. The game was a very sloppy one with Chiawana wanting to play street ball and using it to their advantage to eliminate the Riders.
The afternoon session started off with Coach Salmond's team beating Cedercrest 1, from just northeast of Seattle, 60-40. After supper, Coach Salmond's team took on Aberdeen 1, from just west of Seattle right on the ocean. The boys played very well and lost 33-29.
Monday started with games for both teams. Coach Salmond's team lost to North Marion from Aurora, Oregon just outside of Portland.
Coach Salmond's afternoon game was against Skyview High School from Vancouver, Washington on the Gonzaga main floor. Up to this point, Skyview was undefeated and they quickly showed our boys why. They executed until they got exactly what they wanted and defeated us 61-25. Scorers were Burym (seven points), Rogalski (six), Tyler Sutton (five), Gillis (four) and McCharles (three). The game also featured Gillis hurting his ankle badly forcing the teams to make some changes.
After supper Coach Salmond's team played against Cottage Grove, from just south of Eugene Oregon near the California border. They lost 52-41 and just seemed tired.
Tuesday brought three 20-minute round robin games. Coach Salmond's team was matched up with three teams that were all in lower pools and had very good records. However it appears that they were all placed too low as the team lost all three - to Molalla, from just south of Portland, 29-19; to Thunder, from Edmonton 21-15; and to Deer Park, from north of Spokane, 34-23. Wednesday morning brought an early start. Coach Salmond's team drew a very good Century 2 team from just outside of Portland. It was not a favourable draw. And despite a good fight and a good effort by all eight players, the team was eliminated.
The players and coaches want to say a big thank you to all the sponsors, and especially parents that made the trip happen.
