January 30, 2013 at 5:54 p.m.
Vegas showdown for CBA
Team will compete in b-ball tournament
Vegas showdown for CBA
It will be a real eye-opener for CedarBridge as they will compete against some of the best teams in the U.S.
"Hopefully we'll go out there and do our best and make history," said co-captain senior point guard Richard Warner.
Terrence Christopher, power forward and co-captain, said there was no fear about going up against schools in the U.S. who have enrolments of 3,000 to 5,000.
He added under the tournament format the CedarBridge players would have to be in good shape to play back-to-back games.
"This is going to be a good experience for us to represent our country and our school," Christopher said.
Basketball coach Chris Crumpler knows that the team will face some tough schools.
"They are going to see how popular the sport is and what type of intensity, enthusiasm and passion comes from playing one of the top two sports in the States. The kids are going to bring it from on the court and the parents and the fans are going to bring it from the stands. They are going to see how big it is, which should make them motivated for the rest of this year and carry them on to next year."
Learning experience
Crumpler knows the odds they will be facing first-hand as he went to high school in the U.S. and his alma mater had around 3,000 students.
"With the talent that I have - three guys who are 6'6" on the front line and the point guard who is over 6'0" and a couple of shooters - skill wise, they're not there yet, but over a period of time they will get there. They haven't been playing basketball all their lives like they do in the States."
Crumpler, who also is also on the Bermuda national team, said: "This is going to be a great learning curve for them."
Capri Wilson, cheer captain, added for her squad "it's an opportunity of a lifetime. I'm so proud of these girls that they're allowed to go to Vegas with the basketball team and show them encouragement."
She said it would be a valuable experience to meet with other cheerleading squads to see what routines they do to gather ideas and use as an inspiration.
Wilson has a family gathering over the Christmas holidays and can't go to Vegas so the squad will be led by co-captains Tamara Simons and Leeann Madeiros.
Both squads are required to have a 2.5 GPA average to be eligible to go on the trip. The students are also required to stay out of trouble and have regular attendance.
Crumpler said: "Everyone of my players' this year has seen their grades go up from last semester. I've been calling them at night making sure they do their homework. We're trying to develop well-rounded individuals.[[In-content Ad]]
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