At the 2015 Spalding Hoophall Classic, Orangeville Prep became the first program in Canadian history to ever play in the event hosted by the basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Traditionally the event showcases the nation’s best high school basketball programs, as well as some of the country’s top students athletes.

Not originally slated to participate, the Bears were a late addition after the arrival of Thon Maker in Canada last September. It was Orangeville Prep’s third game in as many nights and they were matched up with Life Center Academy from Burlington, NJ.

The Bears weekend included a Friday game in Washington, DC followed by a Saturday tilt in New York City. Travel was evident in their first half effort Sunday which resulted in Orangeville shooting 28%, collecting 11 turnovers and trailing 34-14 at the intermission.

“Not making excuses, it had nothing to do with jet lag” said Bears head coach Larry Blunt. “Hats off to Life Center, they came out, jumped on us and played well. They capitalized early on some of our mistakes.”

Thon Maker battles in the block for a basket vs Life Center Academy.

The Bears would end up shooting 33% on the afternoon and totaling twenty turnovers. The end result was them suffering their sixth defeat of the season by a final score of 64-50.

“I think in the second half we adjusted and we had a better showing. Were just proud of the guys, it could have been 40-50 point game and we kept battling” said Blunt. “We played a really good team and they played well. We weren’t ready to go and ultimately it falls back on me.”

The Bears made a rally late cutting the deficit to 8 in the final two minutes led by Thon Maker who scored 21 of his team high 23 points in the second half.

“We needed a win out of here, but unfortunately that didn’t happen for us. It’s the birthplace of basketball, so a lot of guys were really excited,” Maker said.

One can admire the ambition of the Bears schedule makers for playing three games in a span of 36 hours, but with the final game being arguably the biggest in program history, scheduling a gruesome schedule the same weekend may go down as the biggest blunder in the programs short history.

Hands down the Spalding Hoop Hall Classic is America’s most premier basketball event. From the reputable high school scouts, major news publications to the plethora of high major coaches in attendance, like no other event, the who’s who of high school basketball attend this event annually.

List of reputable media and scouts demonstrating the magnitude of the Hoophall event.

Coach Blunt disagreed that the weekend schedule was a deterrent for success entering Sunday’s game. Suggesting it is beneficial to his loaded roaster of D1 prospects,

“It’s part of it, if you’re an athlete, you play in the ACC tournament you have to win four games, you play in the SEC tournament you have to win four games. If you play in the NBA you might play one night in L.A. and turn around and go to New York,” said Blunt. “It’s not about my perspective it’s about preparation for the kids.”

Blunt viewed the experience like a glass half full instead of half empty, “Were just excited to be a part of it. Growing pains is part of building a program. Were not going to be in a position where we just hit a panic button. Were learning and building a program in year two and were excited about where we are.” Blunt told Hoops Hype Canada.

The Bears whirlwind schedule since Christmas was a busy stretch of games including trips to California, Kentucky, D.C., New York and Massachusetts.

Jamal Murray with a floater attempt versus Life Center Acadmey

Jamal Murray with a floater attempt versus Life Center Acadmey

Poster boy Thon Maker though admitted it may have taken a toll while his teammates got acclimated to the travel, “It’s just getting too busy. We don’t have time to get back in the gym and get better, we’re just moving place-to-place playing and we haven’t really settled down.”

With a 19-6 record overall including 10-6 in the USA, like his head coach, Maker still remains optimistic,

“The schedule has really started to hit us now. We have to really use other smart aspects of our games, really slow down and see each game separately,” said Maker. “We still have a long way to go. The season is just halfway.”

A transparent Maker acknowledges the honour of participating at Hoop Hall but admits the result and travel is a tad humbling.

Up next for Orangeville Prep is a pit stop versus their post grad team on January 22nd, then the Bears will return to USA visiting Virginia on the 24th to toss it up with John Marshall in the Lawson Classic.

FREE THROWS

  • Kentucky head coach John Calapari sat front row Sunday and it was reportedly because he is chasing Maker’s signature to attend Kentucky for post secondary. Maker finished with 23 points and 11 rebounds.
  • Thon Maker draws the headlines but Jamal Murray is proving to be the heart beat of the team. When he goes, the Bears go. Sunday was a game to forget for Murray who finished with 7 points and was held scoreless in the second half. Murray shot 3-for-10 (0-for-6 behind the arc) adding 4 rebounds and 4 assists.