Oregon Hoops Team Repeats

COBURG – Monaco’s Oregon city league basketball team, made up of 11 employees from different departments within the company, have just earned their second consecutive championship trophy.

The team is comprised of employees from production in Plant 10 as well as 17, service, sales, engineering and warranty. Their season lasted from December until the last week in
February, and this year they finished with an impressive 10-0 record.

Within their league there were six teams and they all played each other twice. Games were played on Thursday nights. Each game had four 13 minute quarters with a running clock. This year there were five returning players from the season before. Many players on this year’s team have already decided to return next year. And with such a successful season, who wouldn’t?

No matter who returns and who moves on, there will be many memories from this season, including two games won by one point. And of the ten victories, it was unanimous among teammembers that the team’s final game was its best.

In that final game, the team came back from a sizable deficit. Down by 19 points with 12 minutes of running clock left, they came back and won the game by a free throw. Another memorable moment from the season was the other one-point victory. The buzzer-beater was made by Charles Clark. As he came down the court, he went up for a lay-in, but slightly lost control of the ball. The ball rolled off his hand and bounced off his bicep up into the basket for the winning score. The opposing team was stunned. Charles claimed he knew it was going in the whole time.

When asked to best describe this year’s team, Jeff Butler, who served as player, coach, and team captain, said, “We were a well balanced team and complemented each other.” He also said he’s looking forward to next season, because they’re going to win it again!

Their goal is to keep the diversity of departments going next year. You can see their championship trophy in the lunchroom along with a picture of the team. For information on how to join next year’s team, call Jeff Butler at ext. 8115 as soon as possible, because spaces are limited.

–Michael Wilson, Staff Intern