87°F
weather icon Clear

Roundup: Coach academy at BCHS attracts top names in basketball

Coaches from the NCAA and gold-medal winning USA Basketball team, along with those affiliated with the NBA, converged on Boulder City High School July 25-27 as it hosted the 2018 USA Basketball Las Vegas Coach Academy presented by Nike.

“When you look at the lineup where we had guys and girls from the college ranks, the NBA, you get a combined 100 years of experience,” Eagles head coach John Balistere said. “Certainly anybody at any level could have gotten something out of this experience. It was very beneficial, especially for our kids who got to be the demonstrators.”

Eagles players past and present learned firsthand from headliners Jay Wright (Villanova University), Frank Martin (University of South Carolina) and Chris Holtmann (Ohio State University).

“It was a great experience,” sophomore Matt Morton said. “Knowing that most of these coaches are from the Division I level really made me focus more on every detail they gave. These are the coaches that can teach you a lot about the game and make you a better player because they have been around the game for so long.”

“The camp was honestly amazing,” junior Gavin Balistere said. “It was a great experience getting to do drills in front of thousands of people and be able to listen to the great mentors of basketball.”

Gavin Balistere and Morton were joined by sophomores Toby Schaeffer and Matt Felsenfeld, who performed on-court drills, while senior Hannah Estes and juniors Madison Manns and Keely Alexander performed drills representing the girls.

Boulder City graduates Katlyn Daly (class of 2015) and Megan Morton (class of 2016) also joined the action, hoping to apply what they learned to their games in college this season.

“I learned a lot of new drills that simulate real, gamelike scenarios that I will take back to school with me to help my team get better,” Megan Morton said. “I also learned a lot of footwork and one-on-one moves during certain situations that I can utilize in my personal play.”

Coach Balistere said he also learned a few things, relishing the opportunity to use the lessons to help guide the Eagles’ program toward success.

“I was thankful to get the opportunity to soak up a ton of stuff,” John Balistere said. “I’m going to try to implement some of the things I learned into what we do with our program. … When you have such a great group of basketball minds, it doesn’t matter how long you’ve been coaching, you’re going to learn something.”

Soccer camp returns Aug. 6 for weeklong session at Pratte fields

Making its way to Boulder City for its ninth year, Great Britain’s Challenger Sports will hold its annual British Soccer Camp on Aug. 6-10 at Pratte Soccer Fields, 1650 Buchanan Blvd.

The camp, designed for children ages 3 to 16, will teach a variety of foot skills, technical drills and tactical practices, and campers will play in coached scrimmages at the end of each day.

Each child will receive a soccer ball, T-shirt, poster and certificate.

First kicks for beginning 3- to 4-year-olds will last one hour per day starting at 3 p.m. and will cost $105 for the four-day camp.

Half-day camps for advanced 5- to 16-year-olds will last three hours each day starting at 4 p.m. and will cost $150.

There is an additional $10 fee for those registering within 10 days of the camp’s start.

To register or for more information, visit www.challengersports.com.

Contact Robert Vendettoli at BCRsports@gmail.com.

MOST READ
LISTEN TO THE TOP FIVE HERE
THE LATEST
Helping to Save Lives

Photos by Ron Eland/Boulder City Review

Nevadapreps names 10 Eagles to all-state team

Capitalizing on great individual efforts, 10 Boulder City High School male athletes were named to the Nevadapreps All-Southern Nevada team, which features the top players in the region regardless of classification.

Lady Eagles pick up state hardware

Five Boulder City High School female athletes were recognized for their impressive efforts and in the process were named to the Nevadapreps All-Southern Nevada team, highlighting the top players in the region regardless of classification.

Jenas-Keogh named BCR’s Athlete of the Year

Excelling as a three-sport athlete, Boulder City High School junior Sancha Jenas-Keogh has been named Boulder City Review girls athlete of the year.

Bonar receives one last high school honor

As a result of excelling as a three-sport athlete, Boulder City High School senior Sam Bonar has been named Boulder City Review boys athlete of the year.

Awards continue for volleyball team

Continuing their claim as the most accomplished high school boys volleyball program in the 3A classification this decade, Boulder City High School had four players named to the All-State team.

Robinson named to 1st team All-State

Four Eagles were named to the 3A All-State team after helping Boulder City High School baseball reach the 3A state tournament.

Rogers named league player of the year

Leading Boulder City High School softball to the 3A state tournament, eight Eagles were named to the All-Mountain League team, highlighted by player of the year Payton Rogers.