When it comes to basketball season here in Oregon, games are tightly squeezed into a season that generally runs from early December (or late November) to mid-March. That means players spend most of their free time on the basketball court—either playing or practicing.
One boys coach who has tried to maintain a semblance of balance for his team is McNary’s Ryan Kirch, who is entering his second decade as chief of the Celtics program in Keizer. With wife Shawna, and two young daughters at home, he will be the first to admit that finding life balance during the hoops season can be challenging. But he feels like the approach the team has taken is a successful one.
“It is essential in our program,” he says, “to prioritize the importance of family and where that falls in with basketball.”
As a result, McNary boys hoopsters typically have December 23-26 off for family holiday events. But they practice or play all around those days, with the exception of one.
“We help our athletes to develop a commitment to teamwork and service to our school and community,” says Coach Kirch in his online overview of the McNary basketball program.
This year, on December 22nd, the team will spend time preparing to serve their local community with their annual Adopt a Family Leadership project. The seniors use the funds raised by the team to provide a Christmas celebration for a needy family.
“They communicate with the family,” says Kirch. “They shop together as a team, wrap the gifts (which is really something to watch), and finally deliver it all to the family.”
On the same day, the team will also work with the McNary girls team to support the Jingle Skills program for teaching young players about basic basketball proficiencies a few days before Christmas. That event takes place in the afternoon/early evening.
It is a great community time that draws kids from both Keizer and Salem.
For all the great non-hoops activities built into late December, basketball still dominates most of the time frame.
Kirch says time with the basketball family is also important during this season.
“We try to schedule one or two Holiday Tournaments, says Kirch.
“It’s where our players can enjoy the experience of participating in a well-run, high-level tournament.”
This year, the Celts are at Newberg High School for their tourney December 19th and 20th. McNary also travels to Central Oregon to compete in the Les Schwab Holiday Hoopfest, hosted by Summit High School December 28-30.
“We will do this out of town (normally) so that players can enjoy the travel, hotels, team meals and the like,” he says.
Families frequently travel as well, and share in the experience.
McNary is not alone locally in this sort of team-unity-through-travel approach. South Salem, Sprague, and West Salem-for example—are taking part in the huge Capitol City Classic tourney at Willamette University (and Corban University for the smaller girls bracket) December 16-21. Those three boys teams are also taking part in other, smaller tournaments later in the break as well. North Salem has three total tournaments scheduled.
Kirch says the holiday experience is all part of the bigger goal for most basketball programs.
“We believe that basketball is an extension of the classroom that provides our players constant opportunities for learning,” says Kirch.
“While we work diligently at player development, our primary focus is the personal development of our players as they grow and mature through our program.”
And to that, most of us should shout out a hearty “Ho-Ho-Ho!”
Happy Holidays, everyone!
NOTE: Central Valley Conference hoops previews coming after Christmas.