On the Mark: Another successful ORBC takes place

That is the number of youngsters who attended the most recent camp, conducted by Ravenswood head basketball coach Mick Price.

Due to the absence of one year due to COVID-19, the 2022 camp became the 35th edition.

Youngsters from various spots in Jackson County came to learn more about the game of basketball while having loads of fun.

A highlight of this year’s ORBC was having Jason White and Brett Rector as guest speakers.

Both White and Rector are former campers, counselors and players at Ravenswood. The two have moved on in life to become successful head coaches on the court.

White won three Class AAA state titles at Morgantown High.

Rector is presently the head men’s basketball coach at Salem University.

As always, the ORBC has an array of honors on the camp’s final day.

College Division (grades 3-4) placers (1-3) in passing were Caleb Pecka, Xander Waskey and Zander Sizemore; foul shooting were Waskey, Kohen Ritchie and Noah Boyard; cross training were Waskey, Grady Painter and Ritchie; ball handling were Ritchie, Waskey and Boyard, dribble king were Waskey, Ritchie and Bolyard; hot shot were Bolyard, Waskey and Pecka.

The team champ was Marietta, which consisted of Bolyard, Kamdyn Kieffer and Haddie Milam. The runner-up was Duke, which featured Waskey, Zoey Workman and Elijah Davisson.

The Olympic Division (grades 5-6) placers (1-3) in passing were Caleb Atkinson, Eli Casto and Brazen Smith; foul shooting were Quinn Bolyard, Casto and Braxton Brabham; cross training were Calder Knopp, Ady Gumm and Casto; ball handling were Brabham, Gumm and Jace Goode, dribble king were Brabham, Casto, Goode; hot shot were Casto, Smith and Bolyard.

England won the Olympic Division championship with Antonio Chappins, Jagger Melhorn, Remo Smelco and Charlotte Holley making up the team. The runner-up team was Denmark, consisting of Casto, Kyler Hupp, Wyatt Anderson and Molly Pursley.

NBA Division (grades 7-8) placers (1-3) in passing were Gavin Wilburn, Cara Spears and Ralphie Rhodes; foul shooting were Creed Waskey, Isiah Nesselroad and Lucas Bias; cross training were Waskey, Brody Horne and Cooper Bentley; ball handling were Waskey, Wilburn and Brooks Wolfe; dribble king were Kassidy Wilson, Horne and Waskey; hot shot were Waskey, Wilson and Nesselroad.

The NBA team champ was the Celtics, featuring Xander Hopper, Waskey and Alex Toler. The Suns, consisting of Wilburn, Owen Pursley and Kylie Clarkson, placed second.

ACE Award winners were: Avery Hill, Remi Wolfe and Caleb Pecka (College); Caleb Atkinson, Ady Gumm and Calder Knopp (Olympic); Gavin Wilburn, Isiah Nesselroad and Kassidy Wilson (NBA).

Heart and Hustle Award winners were: Zander Sizemore, Jordan Ludwig, Haddie Milam, Grayson Bibbee, J.P. Lawless, Jeffery Chappel, Brooklyn Kimes and Tolly Mullins (College); Joey Miller, Charlie Adams, Payce Bare, Simon Paff, Lexi Spears, Gracie Davisson, Holly Kruk and Jonahen Anderson (Olympic); Carter Bever, Liam Bailey, Conner Bailey, Corey Williams, Koltin Laughlin, Ralphie Rhodes, Marley Cole and Zemory Wise (NBA).

Most Valuable Players were Noah Bolyard, Kohen Ritchie and Xander Waskey (College); Quinn Bolyard, Brazen Smith and Eli Casto (Olympic); Creed Casto, Owen Curtis and Kaden Walters.

Bike winners, donated by Coca-Cola, were Blake Thompson and Ady Gumm.

The camp wouldn’t be successful without the many great business in Jackson County who contribute in some way each and every year.

Another reason why JC is such a wonderful place to live.