Charleston leaves team camp undefeated champs
Charleston High School leaves Eastern camp with 12-0 record
Heather Hall/ Sports Editor
Issue date: 7/21/04 Section: Sports
For the past 24 years, Rick Samuels has led the Eastern Illinois University High School Basketball Team Camp. During that time, the camp has hosted as many as 600 participants, or 72 teams, in a year.
However, it is rare for a team to leave the camp undefeated in play.
"Charleston High School was in the Final Four last year," Samuels said. "This year, they were undefeated, winning all 12 games during the camp.
"They advanced into the Final Four and came out undefeated this year. This shows great improvement from last year."
The Charleston team left the camp with more skills and practice, as well as a championship T-shirt.
"Whichever team wins the championship receives an Eastern Team Camp Champion T-shirt," Samuels said.
Other schools who have attended the camp include University High from Urbana and Winnebago High School.
"Winnebago has come to the camp multiple times," Samuels said. "They made it to the Final Four this year. Last year, they won the camp championship and ended up Class A champions for the season."
The High School Basketball Team Camp I, held in June, attracted more schools from the Chicagoland area.
"We saw schools like Oak Forest, St. Francis High School in Wheaton, and Lisle Senior High School," Samuels said.
This year's camp had teams play eight games during their time in camp.
"There were three games played on Thursday, five on Friday, and two games Sunday morning," Samuels said. "The championship was played that night. In order to come out undefeated, Charleston had to win two games on Sunday, and they did it."
Information about the camp is sent out to Illinois high school coaches and players. Although there have not been any out of state teams recently, information is also sent out to schools in other states, including Iowa, Kentucky and Indiana.
Those interested apply to attend the camp with their team and coach. This allows the team to learn to work together for the upcoming season.
However, it is rare for a team to leave the camp undefeated in play.
"Charleston High School was in the Final Four last year," Samuels said. "This year, they were undefeated, winning all 12 games during the camp.
"They advanced into the Final Four and came out undefeated this year. This shows great improvement from last year."
The Charleston team left the camp with more skills and practice, as well as a championship T-shirt.
"Whichever team wins the championship receives an Eastern Team Camp Champion T-shirt," Samuels said.
Other schools who have attended the camp include University High from Urbana and Winnebago High School.
"Winnebago has come to the camp multiple times," Samuels said. "They made it to the Final Four this year. Last year, they won the camp championship and ended up Class A champions for the season."
The High School Basketball Team Camp I, held in June, attracted more schools from the Chicagoland area.
"We saw schools like Oak Forest, St. Francis High School in Wheaton, and Lisle Senior High School," Samuels said.
This year's camp had teams play eight games during their time in camp.
"There were three games played on Thursday, five on Friday, and two games Sunday morning," Samuels said. "The championship was played that night. In order to come out undefeated, Charleston had to win two games on Sunday, and they did it."
Information about the camp is sent out to Illinois high school coaches and players. Although there have not been any out of state teams recently, information is also sent out to schools in other states, including Iowa, Kentucky and Indiana.
Those interested apply to attend the camp with their team and coach. This allows the team to learn to work together for the upcoming season.
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