Escalon High School’s boys basketball program saw a very busy month of June, with both the varsity and JV squads getting in plenty of games and the varsity hoopsters taking part in a couple of tournaments.

“The commitment level during this summer has been the best it has been in a long time,” noted varsity head coach Nate Bartelink. “Players at all levels practiced together two times per week to work on basic fundamental skills and team concepts.”

The varsity played 26 games, while hosting a tournament the first weekend of June and playing in a tournament at Stanislaus State the second weekend of June.

“We also hosted a varsity summer league on Monday and Wednesday evenings where various local teams would come play,” Bartelink added. “While facing good competition, it was a great opportunity to give the returning varsity players more game action while introducing the next level of play to the incoming varsity players.”

Bartelink said there was some solid play all the way around on the court.

“All players have shown several positive moments during the summer,” he explained. “Russell Weinbrecht and Brenden Holmes have been playing at a really high level all summer. Dylan Ruiz, Clayton Ferreira, Ty Harris, Miguel Marmol and Ty Bashaw have shown they will play important roles on the team during the upcoming season as well.”

Meanwhile, the incoming freshmen and sophomores joined together during the summer to play at the Junior Varsity level, with the combined team coached by Brandon Hoover and Dave Anderson.

They played 15 games, while also hosting a tournament the first weekend of June and a JV summer league on Mondays.

“This was a good opportunity to give those players experience playing at the next level,” Bartelink noted. “All players showed solid play, highlighted by Matthew Silva, Jack Anderson, Sean Owens and Zack Valencia.”

Now, said the coach, the program takes a break for much of July.

“We will now take some time off to rest and recharge, allowing the players some time to enjoy their summer,” he said. “Eight different individuals will get back on the court in late July and continue working on their game as they will be attending two different basketball camps. We will also spend some time in the gym during the fall in preparation for the upcoming season that starts in November. Given the amount of talent in the program, the commitment level that has been shown recently and the opportunity to keep improving, there is a lot of optimism for the upcoming season.”