Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
The Kimball boys basketball program participated in this summers 2022 Bridgeport Boys Team Camp June 1st and 2nd.
There were 22 high schools from 4 different states competing in JV and Varsity divisions. Teams from Custer SD, Sturgis SD, Gillette WY, Lusk WY, Strasburg CO, Fleming CO, McClave CO, Ainsworth NE, and other area schools were there and we got to experience some really good basketball.
This year Kimball competed in the Varsity division and on Day 1 had eight players to take on the likes of Sidney, Bayard, Garden Co., and Lusk WY. All eight players played hard the first day.
However, by the last game we were showing signs of fatigue and unfortunately had one player taken off the court due to leg cramping issues.
On Day 2 of the camp we were informed that we would be without Brandon Paxton and that meant we would be down to only seven players, three of which were incoming freshmen, to take on our next four opponents in Fleming CO, Sturgis SD, Leyton, and Morrill. Brandon gave us the height we needed in the middle so not having him was definitely going to be a challenge, especially with Fleming and Sturgis who had a really big roster.
I challenged the boys to not only rely on their individual talents so much but to focus more on each other’s talents, growing together as a team in the process. They responded by taking a 12-11 lead early on in the Fleming CO game and moving the ball well enough to keep our opponents on their toes all day long.
Even though we were out sized and out matched most contests, they never gave up and surprised many coaches with their efforts.
One game we were able to knock down 5 threes in the first seven minutes and finish with seven or eight to put a lot of pressure on the other team.
After the game their coach was highly complementary on our team and impressed on how our players have made strides to getting better.
Hopefully our growth continues over this summer, which I have no doubt it will as long as we continue wanting to improve our skills and hold each other accountable.