December 29, 2014 at 2:50 p.m.
Youth reigns supreme at annual RHS alumni basketball tournament
Youth reigns supreme at annual RHS alumni basketball tournament
Seven teams competed, not including the two teams that took part in the 35 and over division, but only one team could walk away a champion. Although there were many familiar faces from past tournaments, when the dust settled a collection of young bucks stood at the top of the heap.
The class of 2013, team name Tuddies, finished in first place. The group consisted of Brad Kenote, Tyler Thorsen, Austin Bowman, Dylon Wilmot, Ben Eversman and Brianna Jorgensen. Josh Smith, a 2002 graduate, and Shaun Smith, (youth coach special exemption), joined the youngsters.
Tuddies beat out the class of 2001, headlined by Rhinelander High School head boys' coach Derek Lemmens and tournament organizer Brandon Karaba. Matt Dalka and Andrew Bontz helped fill out the roster, and a collection of alumni from other years joined the group. Mike Kurtz (1996), Mike Cheslock (1997), Nate Schoone (2012), Sam O'Melia (2014) and Ryan Dart (2014), as well as Wausau West head coach Nate Lemmens (2005) all pitched in.
Both teams entered the championship game with an undefeated record, but ultimately, age and experience proved no match for young legs.
Karaba said the youngsters earned the victory.
"They moved the ball well and they made the shots they needed to make," he said. "It was a good game and it was a lot of fun to play in. They shot really well and they made the shots when they needed to."
While every team entered hoped to win the title, the event is really about playing basketball with old friends.
Mike O'Melia, a 2010 graduate, said he looks forward to the tournament every year.
"It's always fun to come back and play with guys you haven't seen in a while," he said. "Each class has some nice players so its fun to go against guys that were top players in their grade."
Karaba said the tournament was a huge success and a big part of that was all the new faces. He said some of the power has definitely shifted to the younger generation.
"I think the tournament as a whole was pretty competitive," he said. "It was a good time for everyone who came out. It was a little bit like the changing of the guard. We saw some new teams develop and saw how they play in the tournament."
O'Melia said in his experience in the tournament, the young guys often have an advantage. No matter what though, the games are always close.
"The games were competitive like usual," he said. "Everyone is there to have fun but once the game starts each team obviously wants to win. Each year it seems whoever has the youngest roster has the upper hand."
O'Melia said he'll be back next year, as will Karaba and his group, but for this year, the title belongs to Tuddies.
Andy Hildebrand may be reached at [email protected].
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