The Yosemite High boys and girls basketball teams closed their summer travels with trips to Sonora for team camp and then to Nevada for the Foothill High School Basketball Tournament.

Without a big man, the boys team, coached by Steve Lopez, competed in four games in Henderson, Nev., earning a victory over Coronado High School with a last second 3-pointer by senior-to-be Luke Blate. The team went 1-3 in the tournament.

The boys JV team was coached by YHS alum Aaron Wilkins and featured a high scoring guard duo in sophomore Aaron Bausch and incoming freshman Chase Mauer. The JV team went 0-4 in the tournament.

The girls varsity team, coached by Gary Blate, played against highly competitive club teams from California,Utah and Nevada.

The prior week, Lopez took his varsity and JV teams to the three-day Dick Edwards Team Camp held in the mountains overlooking the historic Gold Rush town of Sonora. The camp has been operated by the same directors for more than 40 years and is a great team bonding event. The camp is non-stop basketball on five outdoor courts and one indoor court at Sierra Outdoor School run by the Clovis Unified School District.

Teams from Mariposa and Minarets also attended the camp along with 12 other schools.

The highlight for the boys varsity came during a camp tournament game against Turlock Christian with Blate again hitting a 3-pointer near the buzzer to send the game into overtime. The Badgers won the game with a Ty Grant rim-rolling lay-up.

Other seniors who participated were Dillon Moran, who competed in the camp dunk contest and Derek Jenkins, who was one of the Badgers top scorers. Juniors included Carson Conti, Stewart Carlson and Ben Williams.

A last second 3-point shot was also a hallmark of the girls varsity team which played in the camp tournament championship game, winning in overtime on a corner shot by Rylie McConnell. That win was even more impressive as the Badgers had to compete in the final game without the services of leading scorer Sierra Dominici who was injured in the earlier semi-final game.

Picking up the slack at point guard was sophomore Mattaya Brown and junior Kaley Mumm who combined for five 3-pointers in the championship game.

Senior center Dahlia Lopez continued to show improvement along with starting forward sophomore Veronica Miller who played in 19 games over the weekend as she helped to fill-out the roster of a second varsity team which competed at camp.

Other players who contributed on the varsity level were juniors Jensen Eames, Stephanie Pardue and sophomore Jessica Rudd.

The lady Badgers have managed to have a successful summer, considering the team has been without the services of three injured players: Julia Walsh (knee surgery), Page Peterson (shoulder) and incoming freshman Natalie Chamberlain (knee surgery).

Erik Peterson coached the girls second varsity group. Former Badger Tricia O'Neill coached the girls JV team.

Golf Tournament planned for Sept. 8:

The boys and girls varsity teams continue their fundraising for their December trip to Orlando. Last Saturday more than 60 bowlers competed at the Bowling for Basketball event held at Sierra Lanes.

More than 20 prizes were awarded during the event and about $2,000 was raised from the event.

On Sept. 8, a golf tournament will be held at Sierra Meadows Country Club and golfers and donations are being sought for the event.

Details: Pam Rudd at PRudd@dncinc.com.

On Oct. 13 a giant Bunco game night will be held at Rivercreek Golf Course. Details: Diane Peterson at petersond@sti.net.

On Saturday, Oct. 27, a costume ball/dinner will be held at the Golden Chain Theater. Details: Sherri Dominici by text to (559) 760-4120.