Warriors begin season with retreat in Central Oregon

October 15, 2007

The women's basketball team enjoyed a few laughs over the weekend, including this little mishap during Coach Matt Williams' infamous bicycle scavenger hunt. (Photo courtesy of Kailey Bostwick)

SUNRIVER, Ore. – In preparation for the upcoming 2007-08 season, Corban's women's basketball team took some much-needed time away from the court to focus on team-building and spiritual growth activities while still keeping its main focus on the task ahead.

The Corban Women’s Basketball team spent three nights and two and a half days at Pine Bough Lodge in Sunriver on a team retreat.  The time of relaxation and team-building exercises was a welcome relief from the three rigorous weeks of practice already concluded by the team.

On Friday, Oct. 11, the team conducted a “Tune-Up Clinic” for girls in 3rd through 12th grades at LaPine High School.  Some participants came from as far away as Gilchrist High School to participate.  The team did a great job making the clinic fun for all participants while teaching good basketball skills as well.  Every participant went away with a Corban basketball, t-shirt and shoe cinch bag as Corban souvenirs.  At the conclusion of the clinic, the Warriors played a 30-minute scrimmage for any that wanted to watch a college team play.  Many clinic participants and parents stayed for the scrimmage and expressed their approval of getting to watch a college team play.  Coach Williams shared the Gospel with the clinic participants using his patented half-court hook shot goals illustration, which also was well received by those present.

The team did conduct a regular practice at LaPine High School on Saturday morning so as not to lose touch with the progress made already in the first three weeks of conditioning.

Team building exercises included Coach Ron Hittner’s famous team Jeopardy game on Friday evening after dinner at Marcello’s, and Coach Matt Williams’ bicycle scavenger hunt on Saturday after practice.  Team Mandy Peterson defeated team Jessica Steigleman and team Kailey Bostwick in both contests to prove the weekend’s big winner in the games.  The Official, Coach Erica Williams, noted a number of rules violations, but that is competition for you – it brings out the best and worst in people sometimes.

Spiritual challenges to the team were presented by alum Cassee (Steed) Terry on Friday evening, Director of Athletics John Nelson on Saturday evening, and Coach Terry Williams on Sunday morning.

Chef’s Vicki Abraham and Debby Williams kept the team wonderfully fed with the highlights being the Saturday evening lasagna, the ice cream sundae bar, and the Sunday morning baggy omelets.  Child care for Gracie Goette was provided for by Mikki Hittner and her two daughters, Tori and Bailey Hittner.

It seemed like all 15 players took advantage of the relaxing atmosphere to bond more as a team and take a bit of a respite from all the rigors of school.  However, much time was spent preparing for Monday midterms as well.

The women's team tips off the season by hosting Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC) member Concordia University-Irvine on Saturday, November 3rd, at 2:00 p.m. inside the C.E. Jeffers Sports Center.