Photos Courtesy of Dwight Gingerich
Hillcrest Union has been buzzing this summer with Raven athletes working for the upcoming season. Throughout the month of June, Hillcrest Academy hosted basketball camps starting with fifth through 10th grades June 17th and 18th and 20th and 21st, third and fourth graders the 17th through the 19th and first and second graders June 20th and 21st. Hillcrest Academy head boys basketball coach Dwight Gingerich tells KCII Sports more than 120 athletes attended the camp to work with staff, under the direction of Gingerich, that included current Raven head girls basketball coach Chris Nachtigall, Mitchell Schmieder, Beau Risley, Bryce Bailey, Mason Bender, Seth Ours, Isaac Birky, Niva Helmuth, Rowan Miller, Lincoln Miller, Maria Portillo, Gibson Scott, Owen Scott, Rya Scott and Claire Withrow.
The focus of the camp is provide instruction of basketball fundamentals within an environment that is conducive to personal growth and spiritual development. Each camper worked on the proper techniques of shooting, passing, offensive moves, ball handling skills, defensive techniques, rebounding fundamentals and position play.
Campers were also named contest and award winners during their time on the court. 1 on 1 contest winners included Kale Miller for 10th through 12th graders, Gibson Scott for freshmen, Bronx Miller for eighth graders, Kellen Miller for seventh graders and Riley Gordinier for fifth and sixth graders. H-O-R-S-E contest winners included Kale Miller for 10th through 12th graders, Eli Witthoft for freshmen, Oliver Miller for eighth grade, Tripp Carolan for seventh grade and Tate Miller for fifth and sixth graders. In the free throw contest, Kale Bailey was the 10th through 12th grade winner, Gibson Scott for freshmen, Cole Troyer in eighth grade, Troy Yoder in seventh and Tate Miller in fifth and sixth grade. Spot shooting contest winners included Kale Miller for sophomore through seniors, Jude Ours for freshmen, Cole Troyer in eighth grade, Drayce Miller in seventh and Tate Miller for fifth and sixth graders.
Those named Best Defender included Kale Bailey for freshmen and sophomores, Calvin Meller eighth grade, Braxton Ropp in seventh and Tate Miller fifth and sixth grade. Mr. Hustle winners were Beckett and Owen Slaubaugh for freshmen and sophomores, Cole Troyer in eighth grade, Brayden Humphries in seventh grade and Landry Schrock in fifth and sixth grade. Best Rebounders were Jaeven Oxley and Gibson Scott for freshmen and sophomores, Abe Widmer in eighth, Mason Schneider seventh and Theo Swartzentruber fifth and sixth. Mr. Fundamental Award Winners were Kale Miller for ninth and 10th grade, Oliver Miller in eighth, Tripp Carolan seventh and Isaiah Luers and Isaiah Miller in fifth and sixth. Overall Outstanding Campers were Kale Bailey for fresh/soph, Bronze Miller in eighth grade, Drayce Miller in seventh and Weston Johnson fifth and sixth grade.