46°F
weather icon Clear

Basketball players gain valuable training, experience

Boulder City basketball players received some valuable training during the four-day World Championship Cup & Training Camp in Boulder City from Friday to Monday.

Nearly 300 basketball players from around the world, including China, Brazil and the Bahamas, came to town seeking to improve their game and compete against the world’s best basketball players.

The basketball academy was run by Sportek events of Raleigh, N.C., with Boulder City boys varsity coach John Balistere coordinating locally.

“It gave an opportunity for our Boulder City players to be a part of a first-class basketball camp,” Balistere said. “It was a great learning experience for our kids. They all enjoyed it and realized they were getting better.”

It just wasn’t the local boys who attended the camp. Newly hired varsity girls coach Paul Dosch helped Balistere, and local girls participated.

Forty-six boys and girls from Boulder City attended.

“It was an awesome four days of learning new drills, honing current skills and meeting players from across the U.S.,” Dosch said.

Shortly after opening ceremonies Friday, the coaches began one of the most intensive basketball training drills, known as blackout training. This conditioning program consists of endurance, strength and speed drills that let players alternate among15 stations for two hours straight.

Saturday and Sunday had players doing basketball drills and conditioning during the day, and tournament games at night. A few training sessions occurred Monday morning, but it was mostly reserved for tournament finals.

Eagles senior point guard Sam Woodbury, who has been playing basketball for more than nine years, said there is a lot he can use to get better in the future.

“I learned a bunch of drills that could make me a lot better,” Woodbury said. “All the coaches there gave us ways to always be better and keep improving. I feel like my shooting, endurance, strength, and ball handling have all improved. Plus it is great to get a different variety of competition to play against.”

Senior teammate Lane Worrall said having the event in Boulder City was great for his hometown.

“There’s not a lot of places where you have so many courts together like we do when talking about the high school gym and recreation center being less than a mile apart from each other,” Worrall said.

The boys team ended up going 4-2 in the tournament, while the girls ended 2-4.

For Dosch, the tournament record was not as important as the experience and training the players received.

“The girls had a great week of training guys who coach and train the likes of (NBA players) LeBron James, Kobe Bryant and Kevin Durant,” Dosch said. “Our team played very well in a highly competitive tournament.”

Balistere, who left Sunday to help with another camp in Hawaii, said the boys took away a lot.

“I think my team realized the value of hard work and teamwork,” Balistere said. “I can guarantee you they will all sleep well tonight.”

MOST READ
THE LATEST
Eagles play comeback kids

Boulder City High School baseball advanced to 7-7 on the season, picking up victories in their last two outings.

Volleyball, track prove proficient

Advancing to 7-4 on the season, Boulder City High School boys volleyball routed Canyon Springs 3-0 on March 24.

Lady Eagles have outscored 3A foes 47-0

Picking up their third victory of the season against a 3A opponent, Boulder City High School softball routed Western 19-0 on March 24.

Eagles perfect against 3A schools

Remaining undefeated against 3A opponents, Boulder City High School baseball routed Mojave and Democracy Prep during this past week’s play.

Eagles remain hot on court

Remaining undefeated in 3A play, Boulder City High School boys volleyball routed Western 3-0 on March 12.

Rogers hurls one-hitter against rival Moapa Valley

Starting the season with some momentum, the Lady Eagles remained undefeated in 3A play, picking up an impressive 13-0 victory over rival Moapa Valley on March 12.

Short-handed track holds their own

Competing at a weekday event on March 6 at 4A Basic, both Boulder City track and field programs held their own in their opening-season events, despite being short-handed.

Softball records back-to-back shutouts

Boulder City High School softball routed a pair of opponents during this past week’s slate, proving they’re a force to be reckoned with in the 3A.

Balistere, Pendleton earn post-season awards

Helping Boulder City High School boys basketball win a share of the 3A Mountain League regular season title, head coach John Balistere was named coach of the year, while senior guard Sean Pendleton was named player of the year.

Swimmers pick up right where they left off

Starting the season off with a strong showing, Boulder City High School boys swimming showed why they’re the favorite to win state this season in the 3A.