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BASKETBALL TOUR December 2010
On Thursday 2nd December 2010, 36 students, two parents and six
staff members departed on Air Canada flight AC 33 bound for
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Our 14 hour flight went
smoothly, with everyone enjoying the individual touch screens and
the multiple movies available.
We arrived to a chilly 3°C winter day and were greeted by our host
and coach driver, Ron. Ron took us across the Canada/USA border
crossing, towards our first few nights in Clackamas, Oregon. Our 10
hour coach trip took us through British Columbia, Washington State
and into Oregon State. Here we stayed at the Sunnyside Motel
located near the Clackamas Town Centre.
Our first games of basketball were against Centennial High School; a
5A ranking school. Here we had the opportunity to stretch our legs
and put into practice all our hard work from training. Unfortunately,
all teams suffered significant losses, to a school that competes in 66
different sports.
Our next games were against Portland Adventist Academy. Here we
were treated to wonderful renditions of the national anthems and
the tone was set. Unfortunately again, both the Junior Varsity and
Varsity teams lost, to very well drilled teams that train five days a
week.
gym, as we again experienced defeat against a well drilled school.
Despite this, our team spirit was good as always and the after game
meal was sensational and the conversation between players and
other members of families helped to enlighten some Canadians
about Australia.
Burnaby South Secondary School hosted our next games. This was
difficult again against another 5A school. All teams tried their best;
unfortunately our opposition was just too good.
While at St Thomas Aquinas High School, all players went to classes
to experience the Canadian education system. Some went to
Biology class to dissect frogs; others to math; while some went to
home economics to bake cookies. After lunch, the entire school
attended the Freshman game, with the Waverley team cruising to
victory.
From Vancouver we travelled to Pemberton Secondary School, north
of Whistler. This town was nestled in a valley surrounded by large
snow covered mountains. Again the whole school packed into the
gymnasium to watch the Junior Varsity team secure victory. All
Waverley teams registered success against Pemberton.
In Yakima, Washington State, the players embarked on their first of a
two night homestay with the Riverside Christian School. Some
stayed in the well equipped barn of a large orchard farm, while
others experienced a 'normal' family setting. Everyone was excited
about their experiences while on homestay. Friendships were made
and gifts exchanged. Adam Danckert (Tour Captain) was
interviewed and appeared on the local television network. Better
still, some basketball wins were achieved by the Freshman and
Varsity teams.
When departing Yakima, the weather began to change as we headed
north towards Seattle. Snow began to fall and the countryside was
blanketed in white. Our next games were against Cedar Park
Christian School, north of Seattle. The hospitality was warm and the
basketball competition tough. The Freshman team posted a win,
while the other teams again tasted defeat against faster and more
athletic teams.
The Freshman team recorded another win the following day against
Eastside Academy. Here we played in a brand new basketball facility
against students who had been given another opportunity to
complete their high school education.
Our next games also included another homestay with the families of
Northwest Christian High School. Again the competition was tough,
but the experiences while on homestay helped to ease the losses.
Here some players went 'zip lining' on a giant flying fox through the
snow covered woods in the family backyard after midnight, while
others cruised into town and visited Wal-Mart.
From Seattle we again headed north to cross the border and onto
Vancouver. Here we played West Vancouver Secondary School on
their warm-up court, as their 3,500 seat show court was being
refurbished. Luckily they could not fit as many spectators into the
Other important highlights of the tour included: attending the
Portland Trailblazers verse LA Clipper NBA game at the Rose Garden
Arena; a private meeting with Patrick Mills (Australian Boomers and
Trailblazers point guard); watching the Vancouver Giants take on the
Swift Broncos in an ice hockey match; visiting the Pike Place Markets
in Seattle and the Granville Island Markets in Vancouver; and our
'R n R' activities at Whistler Blackcomb.
The Freshman team was coached by Mr Dean Papandreas and
included: Dylan Deep-Jones, Patrick Kava, Oliver Kimpton, Nicolas
Lucas, Francisco Lacoumette, Jack Ryan, Sebastian Rao, William
Anderson, Adrian Bokolis, Fred Giutronich, Kristos Kavrakoudis and
Djordie Krajcic.
The Junior Varsity team was coached by Mr Tony Montano and
included: Timothy Kastengren, Jackson Tate, Dylan Sweeney, Tom
Chamberlain, Ryan Azzopardi, Xavier Mahady, Jackson Farley, Peter
Panagopoulos, Billy Wright, Sam Johnson, John Hetreles and Dejan
Nakic.
The Varsity team was coached by Mr Greg Radford and included:
Christian Terry, John Sommerville, Callum O'Callaghan, Anthony
Bosnar, Oscar Heidrich, Patrick Duffy, James Sekhas, Ryan Dorian,
Patrick Byrne, Haydn Johansson, Adam Danckert and Nicholas Psaltis.
Everyone thoroughly enjoyed their time away. Waverley Basketball
improved with all players gaining valuable experience and insight
into to how the American and Canadian teams train and play ball.
Thank you to all parents and sponsors who made this trip possible
and especially to the boys, Mrs Robyn O'Callaghan, Mrs Maria
Sommerville, Ms Debbie Grigson, Ms Prue Garrod, Dean, Tony and
Greg who took part in this unforgettable experience with me.
Richard Chen
MIC Basketball / Tour Manager
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