Team 307 impresses at first showcase

Team 307 returned undefeated from the Colorado Live Showcase in Denver, a summer basketball tournament in front of dozens of college coaches.

The team formed this year under coach and organizer Thomas Bush, with the aim of increasing basketball play opportunities for local kids over the summer months and helping them work towards their personal goals, as well as towards college sports.

The showcase took place on June 21 and 22 and the team went 3-0, says Bush.

The first game was against Meeker, Colorado, and Team 307 took a convincing win at 67-32.

"The boys moved the ball well and knocked down open shots," Bush says.

In the second game, Team 307 faced Sheridan, Colorado, sinking another win at 65-24.

"We jumped out to a 24-3 lead and never looked back after that," he says. "The defensive pressure was too much for Sheridan to handle."

The team's third and final game was against Niwot, Colorado – a formidable opponent, says Bush.

"This was a very good team who we beat 50-47," he says. "We got down 12-4 early and then took a 14-13 lead going into the second. Once again, we found ourselves down 23-14 and clawed back to be down 2 at halftime."

From then on, he says, the lead went back and forth until Team 307 took a 48-44 lead with less than a minute left.

"After a clutch free throw from and defensive rebound by the boys, they secured a hard-fought win," he says.

Bush was impressed with every player in this, their first significant tournament.

"I was very happy with the weekend," he says. "The growth we showed over the last month was impressive. Every single on of them made significant contributions all weekend."