Kick-Off 2017 – Bazooka Ball

For the past few years we have started off the new year for our students with a fun activity.  We take a break from our regular programming over the holidays and so try to jump-start January with something that creates a little bit of a buzz.  Last year we had a Black Light Bash and played 9 Square using black lights.  Pretty fun.

This year we played Bazooka Ball.  Our students were introduced to the game at our church camp (Butler Springs) and they love it.  Any time we go to camp, either during the summer or for a retreat, the students want to know when we get to play Bazooka Ball.  So, to get back into the swing of things in 2017, we brought Bazooka Ball to WCC!

And a good time was had by all.

This recap video shows a little bit of the action.  As we were cleaning up, one of our junior high students came up to me and asked, “Will we play this again next year?”

A good sign that the game was a success.

Classic in the Country Recap

My wife and I were able to take in a couple of games at the Classic in the Country Challenge this weekend. We got up to Berlin in time on Sunday to watch Kettering Fairmont play. I’ve seen a few of their players on the AAU circuit, but haven’t seen the high school team play. They handled the ball well through the game and stretched out to a 20+ lead in the second half.

Clinton-Massie played on Monday morning. They went up against an undefeated team from Division III, Proctorville Fairland. The Falcons played them well, but just couldn’t get the shots to fall in the fourth quarter.

Blue Star Media had a recap of the game and gave some deserved recognition to Kasey Uetrecht. She has been Syd’s teammate during school and summer ball and is a solid player.

The first game of the day had a missing element that most likely would have had a tremendous impact on the ultimate outcome. While Proctorville Fairland got the 60 – 47 win over Clinton Massie, it’s hard to imagine that injured (ACL) CM junior standout and nationally ranked forward Sydney Brackemyre might not have influenced the final score to some degree. As it was, Fairland utilized a 18 – 7 fourth quarter to break open a two point game and make the final margin a deceiving 13 points. Junior guard Chandler Faulks led the way for the Dragons with 20, 12 of which came as a result of her 4 for 10 three-point effort. Minnesota early commit Tera Stapleton, a 6-4 2014 post, added a double-double with 13 points and 11 boards in the win. Clinton Massie got 14 from versatile junior swing player Kasey Uetrecht and another 10 from senior Mary Moyer. Both teams rebounded even at 37 for the game while Fairland finished with 13 turnovers to the Falcons 11. In the end Clinton Massie’s 24 percent second half shooting was their downfall despite getting seven more attempts from the floor over the course of the game.

Great job Lady Falcons!

Syd Featured in Battle in the Boro Recap

Brandon Clay is a contributor to ESPN HoopGurlz, a section of the ESPN website that focuses on girls high school basketball players.  Several girls from our area are ranked on the site and Syd received a profile on the site earlier this year.

This afternoon, Clay posted a recap of The Battle in the Boro, a huge AAU tournament in Tennessee.  He identified seven players that made an impression on him during the tournament.  Syd was one from the class of 2014 he wrote about.

You can see the entire article, called Seven Wonders at Battle in the Boro.  This is what he wrote about the 2014 players.

Sydney Brackemyre (Harverysburg, Ohio), Cincinnati Angels: Brackemyre has been one of the most impressive forwards during the club season. From Nike Skills in Indianapolis to the Boro, the 6-1 forward has been effective and productive. She scores it inside and outside and is a big factor on the glass. She’s a tough matchup as she willingly posts up smaller guards and faces up on bigger forwards. Her versatility is a big reason why schools from across the country want Brackemyre to join their programs.

Olivia Smith (Yarmouth, Maine), Maine Firecrackers: In a state that isn’t known for producing a lot of Division I prospects, Smith is a bona fide next-level forward. At 6-2, she has a nice combination of size and skill, making her a probable power forward in college. Her consistent play on both ends of the floor was noticeable throughout the event. Smith should be able to create match-up issues with her ability to rebound or knock down the trail jump shot.