OCR Text |
Show SPORTS r VOL L ISSUE 1 www.uvureview.com JULY 5, 2010 Hunsaker stresses 'hard work' at camp By MATT PETERSEN Asst Sports Editor The offseason didn't keep basketball coach Dick Hunsaker away from the court or from coaching. Hunsaker held his Basketball Fundamentals Camp June 21-25 for kids ages 7-17, in hopes of impressing the importance of hard work and basketball fundamentals. "Nobody ever got good without hard work," Hunsaker said. "You look at some of the pros, the guys I coached who are here, none of them got lucky with this. It comes with hard work and dedication." Several former and current players visited the camp as advocates for Hunsaker's message, including former Wolverine star Ryan Toolson. Like many of the kids, Toolson wasn't considered anything special even in high school. Unlike many in that situation, he worked on his game, scored 63 points in a college game and played professionally in Europe. The kids knew of Toolson's accomplishments, but were surprised and impressed by his humble beginnings. "It means a lot, because he's just like a bunch of people that I know," said Ryan Christofferson of Lehi High School. "It helps to know that I could maybe make it, too." That sense of eager- ness was evident from all kids — from 7-year-olds who asked about Toolson's favorite NBA player and team to high schoolers who mimicked Toolson's shot and drills following his brief presentation. Hunsaker waved off the prevailing theory that players today don't focus as much on fundamentals as past generations, frankly comparing the older era of players to the new. "Just a couple nights ago I pulled out a tape of me playing some thirty years ago," Hunsaker said. "I just couldn't get over it. You look at today's generation of players. They're so much more athletic, fundamen- UVU coach Dick Hunsaker talks with kids at his annual summer basketball camp. tally sound. They're just better." That didn't stop Hunsaker from stressing hard work during the camp. His message: If you don't work your talent, youlre wasting it. Camp participants took it to heart. "I hope I can leave Courtesy of UVU Athletics this camp a better player," Christofferson said. "I want to take what I learn here and bring it to my school team next year." Former Wolverine eyes NBA roster spot Opening day! J LtfK Former UVU star Ryan Toolson shows off the stroke that might get him into the NBA. Courtesy of UVU Athletics By MATT PETERSEN Asst Sports Editor His basketball career blossomed in Arizona's desert, flourished at UVU and most recently expanded in Europe. Now, Ryan Toolson's career is coming full circle. Following his visit to catch up with coach Dick Hunsaker and speak to kids at the coach's camp, Toolson returned to his native Arizona this summer to play with the NBA's Phoenix Suns summer league team. Toolson hopes his skills, which earned him All-Star honors in the Turkish Basketball League, will land him a spot on an NBA roster. Before raising his game to the next leyel, Toolson took time to teach kids at Hunsaker's camp about work ethic — both on and off the floor — which he claims was his ticket to basketball relevance, not his talent. "I never was super athletic in high school," Toolson said. "I still don't think I was in college. I think the thing that made me a special guy was my work ethic." Toolson didn't make the varsity team his freshman year at Gilbert High School in Arizona. He didn't even make the junior varsity team. He made the freshman team but, get this, he didn't start. The evolution of Toolson's game didn't make a Jordanesque leap in high school, either. Sophomore year at Gilbert High School in Arizona, he made junior varsity team. Junior year saw him make the varsity team, but he didn't start until the latter portion of the year. In Toolson's senior year, he was named Arizona's Player of the Year. The gradual ascent continued at UVU, where Toolson went from sniper off the bench to a marked man as the Wolverines' leading conscious NBA owners and scorer. Despite opposing defens- general managers, roster es' attention, he averaged •-spots-for undrafted rookies over 23 points per game his are few and far between. On the flip side, sumjunior and senior years. mer league pick-ups and A stellar college career undrafted rookies are often was tempered by where it happened in the eyes of more affordable than estabNBA personnel, so Tool- lished veterans who want son took his game overseas. bigger paychecks. Often, There, he says,, "basketball it's a question of talent verIQ" took on a whole new sus cost. For Hunsaker, there's no meaning. questioning the former. "Everyone can shoot "He's absolutely, abover there," Toolson said. "Guards, forwards, cen- solutely an NBA player," ters, everyone can shoot the Hunsaker said. "I've told ball. They play such a smart the NBA people that I've coached a lot of different brand of basketball." Toolson hopes the new players during my career, lessons learned and his old and I've never seen an ofwork ethic translate into a fensive mentality like Ryan spot on an NBA roster. It's Toolson's. It's unmatched. a dream made even more Whether he'll be given the personal by auditioning for opportunity to display that his favorite team, the Phoe- remains to be seen. But he nix Suns. One of Toolson's is an NBA player, without childhood heroes, former hesitation." Suns' greats Dan Majerle, Toolson will try to make will coach the summer Suns. NBA teams feel the same "I think [playing for Ma- way jerle] is awesome," Toolson said. "I grew up watching him play. I used to dream of putting on a purple and orange jersey as a kid, and just to have a chance to do it is unbelievable." As big as the dream is, the reality can be more so. NBA teams saw many of their affordable roster needs met through the NBA Draft. With cost- Still Healing, but improving very quickly By KIRA TERRY Sports Editor Jordahn Denny continues treatment at a physical rehabilitation center near Denver where she keeps pushing harder to heal and to build her strength following an automobile accident in May that paralyzed her from the mid-torso down. Despite constant pain' from her body healing, Denny is improving very quickly. According to her mother, Chamala Denny, Jordahn , has improved a lot in the last few weeks. • y A "Jordahn has started regaining her day-to-day memory and has become much more capable of conversation and making decisions," said Chamala Denny. Jordahn has continued with physical therapy and is able to accomplish the tasks asked of her in cognitive testing. When asked about Jordahn's condition, Chamala Denny said, "Her only response is that she doesn't like it, but she understands what an amazing miracle it is that she is even alive, giving credit to Goo* and His plans for her life." Jordahn's physical therapist began an exercise program to help her build endurance and strength. He also introduced Jordahn to competitive activities that she can participate in her new circumstances. "This has inspired her to push harder," Chamala Denny said. Besides being tired of the pain, Jordahn is looking forward to returning home. "Jordahn misses socializing, friends and family," said Chamala Denny. "That is one of the hardest things about being so far away from people she knows." People can send well wishes to Jordahn Denny, c/o Craig Hospital, 3425 South Clarkson St.t Englewood,Colo.,80113. "She really brightens when she gets cards," Chamala Denny said. i The Dennys' home community is currently having fundraisers to help with medical and home improvement expenses. All wanting to help can do so by contacting Michelle Kordopatis at 208-251-5332. Donations are still being accepted in Jordahn Denny's name at any Wells Fargo or US Bank branch. • * By KIRA TERRY Sports Editor ';J '^ Fans lined up over an hour early at Brent Brown Ballpark on June 26 to be first in the gates for opening day. As soon as the^gateS opened, fathers with their young boys, m n n v fflmilifil and season ticket holders flocked into the park to find their seats. Fans watched the teams warm up and visited the concession stands before the first pitch. The Owlz had opened their season on the road five days prior, playing the Idaho Falls Chukars for three games followed by the Og^ den Raptors for two games, With the Owlz mascot, Hootz, greeting fans, the first pitch was thrown out by a young boy who was ec^ static just to be part of opening day festivities. Both the teams' players ang staff were announced, the nation^ al anthem was sung and the Owlz took their place on the field. With the scent of hot dogs, churros and Cracker Jacks in the air, fans immediately got caught up in the great American game of baseball. There was a lot of cheering, as well as several u> cidences of booing when the fans didn't agree witti the umpire's calls. Plenty of voices singing along to "Sweet Caroline" at the top of their lungs marked the seventh-inning stretch. . ''-•;, Boys and men of all ages lined up by the side of the Owlz's dugout and waited for foul balls to be thrown td them by players. Fans seat* ed behind the outfield wall waited patiently for either team to hit a home run. •: Fans stuck it out for all 10 innings to see their Owlz take the game by one run! As fans celebrated the win; the ballpark lights went o^J and fireworks lit up the skyj Owlz baseball fans carj catch the team in action dm* ing their next set of homd games beginning on July $ with the first pitch at " '""* p.m. ( |