The 2012 basketball season is well underway and the Hillmen
are making the most of it. High school rivalries play out on the gym floor and
the Placer basketball teams are ready and willing to compete for their school
and its history. The Gold Mine is packed with enthusiastic students who are
just as proud of the competing Placer team as they are of their school.

Boys Basketball

The Hillmen
started 2012 with an impressive record in the preseason and continue to rack up
wins in league play. Third place victories at the Harlan Carter Invitational,
the Rail City Classic, and the Kendall Arnett tournaments have proved the teams
potential as they continue to strive for key wins.

“We really
want to win PVL this year,” explained junior guard Peter Kean. “We have a
really good shot at playoffs and we battle every game.”

The boys’
team clinched important wins from rivals Colfax and Bear
River on their home court and the wins still stay with them.

“The Colfax
game was huge,” remarked senior forward Alec Knox. “One of the greatest “Wiebel-moments”
was during that game when the Colfax fans started chanting ‘Wiebelhaus’ in mock
of the Gold Mine.”

Kean shares
Knox’s sentiments and added, “The Wiebelhaus fan crew is pretty awesome.”

Creating
memories like beating Colfax in overtime at the Earl Crabbe Gym and inspiring
displays of Gold Mine enthusiasm are only some of the reasons that these boys
continue to play basketball. Although the sport requires great commitment and
sacrifice the rewards outweigh the demands.

“Basketball
is just a lot of fun,” stated junior forward Michael Mcnamara. “It’s a little
tiring but that’s what you have to do. I’ve made a lot of friends through
basketball and it’s great to be part of a team.”

Late nights
of homework and limited leisure time are worth the Placer basketball
experience. Sports provide life lessons in time management, organization,
teamwork, commitment, passion, and trust. The basketball court is merely an
enjoyable place to experiment and learn to excel in such valuable ideals.

Kean
explained, “Basketball has really taught me a teamwork aspect: knowing everyone
has your back and you have theirs. I love the team.”

Knox
continued, “I’ve learned a lot about responsibility. I know what is expected of
me and I have learned to stay focused to avoid letting my team down.”

Players are not the only ones to
sacrifice their time for the love of the game. Coaches have to balance family,
work, and basketball everyday just as their players do. They represent their
families and school on the sideline while their players do so on the court.

“I coach at
Placer because it is such a positive place,” stated varsity coach John Hilton.
“The faculty, students, and other coaches are incredibly positive and
supportive. I love working with people, that’s why I teach, and coaching gives
me the opportunity to stay close to the sport.”

Regardless
of past records, the basketball team continues to honor Placer High School’s
history.

Girls Basketball

Basketball
is a sport that allows both boys and girls to excel on the court. The 2012 Lady
Hillmen basketball team is a formidable force that despite an average record is
proud of their achievements and continues to strive for a winning season.

“Basketball
is a really physical sport but it’s a lot of fun,” expressed senior forward
Nicole Parrish. “Placer is the best; our coach is great, he encourages us
rather than humiliates us, I love the team, and I love wearing that green and gold!”

Junior
guard Sammie Leigon added, “Our school has more tradition and spirit than other
schools do; I love playing here. We have a great support system with the
community and I feel like are role models for all the future Hillmen out
there.”

Coach Tony
Camillucci returned to the girls’ basketball community after a two year break
and took last year’s team to playoffs. Its been a recovery process getting the
team back into “winning mode” but even though winning is an important part of
any sport, there is always more to a team than its record.

“I love the
sport,” stated Camillucci. “I enjoy the connections with students at Placer High
School and it’s my pleasure to get the kids to
work hard, realize their potential, but above all have fun. I get to teach and
watch these girls improve.”

The Lady
Hillmen had key wins over teams in preseason play including victories over Roseville, Ponderosa, and
Rocklin. The girls also had impressive showings against Whitney and Woodcreek
prior to league play.

“The
Ponderosa game is my favorite part of the season so far,” said Parrish. “We
found out they had a player who was drafted to a D1 school and we were kinda
scared. In the end we came together and beat them; I had my best game with 16
points, even though my goal is 36 to beat Cody Riggs’ record of 35.”

The Pioneer
Valley League is a competitive league this year and Placer has held their own.

The Lady Hillmen have faced tough
losses against rivals Colfax and Bear River but the girls still have a chance
at revenge when Bear River and Colfax face off against the Hillgals on their
home court.

Ultimately, Placer basketball is
about tenacity and togetherness. Being a part of a team is about building
relationships and carrying the life lessons the sport teaches over into life
off the court.