KAMLOOPS TO BE WELL REPRESENTED AT U-15 NATIONAL BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS

For release: Tues July 14, 2009

Kamloops, BC—When the National U-15 Basketball Championships return to the Tournament Capital Center for a second straight year,  two players and a coach with ties to Kamloops will be part of the Team BC Contingent.

Thompson Rivers University WolfPack women’s basketball coach Scott Reeves is directing one of the Provincial teams again this season.   While Emma Wolfram (South Kamloops Secondary) and Abby Grinberg (Kamloops Christian School) are playing on each of the BC’ entries.   Wolfram is playing with Reeves’ BC Blue squad while Grinberg is with the BC Red team.

“I am extremely proud of seeing local representation at the National Tournament. I  really enjoy coaching in this tournament” says Reeves who is the architect of the Kamloops Basketball Academy .  The program, now into its fourth year has become a hotbed for local players wanting to get better at the sport they love.  Both Grinberg and Wolfram have been a part of the program.

For the 6’3” Wolfram, this is her second year with the Provincial Program after playing last season with the BC U-14 team. “I am very excited to be a part of the Provincial team program and look forward to the challenge of playing in a National Tournament,” she says  “I have been able to meet a number of new people as well as play with players from last years Provincial U-14 team.”

Wolfram, like her older brother Josh of the South Kam Titans “AAA” boys team  plays forward. She has been playing basketball for 5 years, starting with the Steve Nash program when she was in grade 4. She has also played the last two years with the KBA Young Guns (a team of U-13 and U-14 year old players).

Grinberg is a guard.  She started playing competitively three years ago and has been playing Junior basketball since she was in Grade 7.  “I watched lots of games that my older sister Lindsay played,” she explains “She’s also a point guard and a really good player. Seeing her inspired me to play.”  She is one of five children, all involved in sports.

“It’s been really exciting getting the opportunity to meet new people and play with really skilled players,” Grinberg states on being part of the Provincial Program.  “The coaching has been very high quality. It is one of the experiences that I probably won’t get again in my life.”

Reeves is very proud of both girls and their development. “They have become more skilled in shooting, dribbling passing and general understanding of the game. Emma's involvement has helped her basketball IQ tremendously. Their overall athleticism and co-ordination has increased as well.”

“Emma will have an extremely bright future considering she is 6'3. Emma will be considered for our National team if she continues on her current pace of development. Abby is very athletic and if she wanted to commit to the game of basketball could probably play CIS basketball.”

The Nationals will be the culmination of a busy summer for all three.  Reeves and Wolfram have finished three tournaments already including the TRU WolfPack Summer Shootout held at the Tournament Capital Center in early July. They are off to Las Vegas for a tournament July 22^nd.   Grinberg’s squad is heading to Spokane for a tournament in a few weeks after competing in ones in Seattle and at SFU.

Both players anticipate their teams to do well at the Nationals.  “I think we have many strengths. “says Wolfram .“Each individual brings something different to the team.  We have some great three point shooters, good quickness and some good balance at the post position.”

 “We move the ball up the court quickly and play excellent defence,” Grinberg explains.  “Some of the girls on the team are amazing shooters”.

The BC Blue squad will open up the 2009 U-15 Championships Tuesday August 4 th against Nova Scotia while the Red team will meet up with Manitoba at 1:30 pm on August 4 th.    Both are looking forward to the Nationals.

“It’ll be really fun playing in front of my friend s and family,” says Grinberg “It’s easier playing on a court that you are familiar with. Playing in my home town means a lot to me.”

“It’ll be very exciting,’ explains Wolfram “Playing in such a big tournament in front of family and friends is something I’ll never forget.”

Eight girls and eight boys teams from throughout the country will be taking part in the five day event.  Advance tickets are on sale at the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack Athletic office at the Tournament Capital Center.  More information by calling (250) 377-6117.

For More Information:

Abby Grinberg:  pgrinberg@sd73.bc.ca
Emma Wolfram: mjwolfie@shaw.ca

Or

Larry Read
Sports Information Officer,
Thompson Rivers University
(250) 377-6117
lread@tru.ca

(with information from TRU Athletics)