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Sports
Hula hoopsters
By Jeremy D. Malamed
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Posted: Friday, July 31, 2009 10:59 AM CDT
Tony Romero, left, and Devin White prepped for their senior year at CHS with a Hawaiian basketball adventure. Enterprise photo by Jeremy D. Malamed
After traveling more than 2,000 miles to play in the Club USA National High School Basketball Championships, Tony Romero and Devin White felt right at home.
“We were on the shortest team there,” White laughed.
Last winter, Romero and White were all-league guards as juniors on the Calaveras High boys basketball team, which won a share of the Mother Lode League championship despite fielding the smallest starting lineup in the league.
Earlier this month, the two sharpshooters from Valley Springs teamed up with other high school players from California, Washington, Alaska and Hawaii to take first place at the weeklong Club USA National Championships in Hawaii against teams made up of players from across the country.
“The first day of practice, all the teams got together in the gym and everyone was laughing and making fun of us, calling us the underdogs,” said Romero, 17, a 5-foot-9 lefty. “Our tallest guy was barely 6-feet.
“Then we went out and played them and kicked their butt.”
“We were on the shortest team there,” White laughed.
Last winter, Romero and White were all-league guards as juniors on the Calaveras High boys basketball team, which won a share of the Mother Lode League championship despite fielding the smallest starting lineup in the league.
Earlier this month, the two sharpshooters from Valley Springs teamed up with other high school players from California, Washington, Alaska and Hawaii to take first place at the weeklong Club USA National Championships in Hawaii against teams made up of players from across the country.
“The first day of practice, all the teams got together in the gym and everyone was laughing and making fun of us, calling us the underdogs,” said Romero, 17, a 5-foot-9 lefty. “Our tallest guy was barely 6-feet.
“Then we went out and played them and kicked their butt.”
Coached by Jimmy Hill of Wenatchee Valley Community College in Washington, Romero and White’s team finished first in its pool and went 3-0 in tournament play, coming back from a 15-point deficit to win in the semifinals. Romero and White both earned all-tournament honors.
“The flyer said there would be kids from 39 different states, so we were a little bit worried about how we’d stack up,” said White, 17.
Added Romero: “After the first day, we knew we could do well.”
“The flyer said there would be kids from 39 different states, so we were a little bit worried about how we’d stack up,” said White, 17.
Added Romero: “After the first day, we knew we could do well.”
Calaveras coach Kraig Clifton provided the flyers that got Romero and White interested in the event. From there, the pair had to fundraise $2,400 to cover expenses for the trip, hosting car washes and bake sales to help reach their target.
Both players said the experience, which included trips to popular Oahu sights like Pearl Harbor, Waikiki Beach and the Dole pineapple plantation, was well worth it.
“It was a great time,” Romero said. “We met people from all over the country and learned a lot about basketball.”
With school starting at Calaveras earlier this week, Romero and White are hoping to parlay this summer’s Hawaiian basketball experience into a big senior season.
Last year, with Romero and White starting in the backcourt, Calaveras tied Linden for first place in the MLL and lost to Capital Christian of Sacramento in the opening round of the Division IV section playoffs.
“This experience showed me that you shouldn’t let people get in your head and make you think you can’t win just because your team is small,” Romero said.
Both players said the experience, which included trips to popular Oahu sights like Pearl Harbor, Waikiki Beach and the Dole pineapple plantation, was well worth it.
“It was a great time,” Romero said. “We met people from all over the country and learned a lot about basketball.”
With school starting at Calaveras earlier this week, Romero and White are hoping to parlay this summer’s Hawaiian basketball experience into a big senior season.
Last year, with Romero and White starting in the backcourt, Calaveras tied Linden for first place in the MLL and lost to Capital Christian of Sacramento in the opening round of the Division IV section playoffs.
“This experience showed me that you shouldn’t let people get in your head and make you think you can’t win just because your team is small,” Romero said.
“I want us to go far this year, farther than the first round, and I want to beat Bret Harte. We need to focus on the little things, not scoring, but boxing out, hustling for loose balls and listening to coach. We listened last year, but when it came down to it, we didn’t always do exactly as he said.”
Along with medals for first-place team finish and all-tournament honors, White’s return baggage from Hawaii also included a first-place award from the event’s one-on-one competition. He also placed fifth in the 3-point shooting competition, making 15 shots in a minute.
“Tony and Devin both got a lot of minutes last year and that experience should help them as seniors,” Clifton said. “It was neat for them to be able to go (to Hawaii) and have a good experience.”
Romero and White both wanted to thank all the individuals, businesses and groups in the community that helped them in their fundraising efforts and supported their Hawaiian experience, including their parents, coach Clifton and the Calaveras Athletic Boosters.
Along with medals for first-place team finish and all-tournament honors, White’s return baggage from Hawaii also included a first-place award from the event’s one-on-one competition. He also placed fifth in the 3-point shooting competition, making 15 shots in a minute.
“Tony and Devin both got a lot of minutes last year and that experience should help them as seniors,” Clifton said. “It was neat for them to be able to go (to Hawaii) and have a good experience.”
Romero and White both wanted to thank all the individuals, businesses and groups in the community that helped them in their fundraising efforts and supported their Hawaiian experience, including their parents, coach Clifton and the Calaveras Athletic Boosters.
Contact Jeremy D. Malamed at sports@calaverasenterprise.com
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