Pat Cleary '24, Sports Editor
this week, audience Interviewed with Basketball Club Co-Presidents Carter Segal '25 and Cooper Shue '25. Here's what they had to say:
What led you to start this club?
cooper: When we were freshmen, Friday and Saturday nights were prime time slots for pickup runs in Hamilton. I talked to 30 to 40 kids every time, but I could barely stand on the court. Through running, I have built a community and made many friends. However, from his second year onwards, the goals he conceded disappeared. The only time people got together to play was when someone messaged the intramural basketball group chat. [Segal] And I felt like Hamilton was missing a basketball community, so I decided to start a basketball club to let people know they could come and play ball on a Friday night.
Who characterizes your basketball playing style?
carter: I think Desmond Bane is my representative player in the NBA. I'm definitely a little undersized, but my shooting off the catch and dribbling talent opens everything up for both myself and my teammates. I love using off-ball movement to stress the defense, and I think there are very few players in the NBA who know how to combine defense and movement like Bane.
cooper: Connor Jenkins…If you know him, you know him.
How did you become interested in basketball?
cooper: Soccer was my first sport and I was rubbish. No improvement after 6 years. I decided to look for other opportunities and realized that it was more fun to use my hands instead of my feet. Also, the basketball culture and community is fire.
What does an average session look like?
carter: This semester, we are hosting a basketball club on the last Friday of the week. After such a long few weeks, we've found that most people just want to play primarily open run pickup basketball, and that's what we've been working on. We typically have two half-court games at the same time and try to divide the court depending on the intended intensity of the game. This allows everyone to set a set time per week to get reps, work on their game, and most importantly, play basketball without stress, allowing them to focus on more organized runs and leagues. You can
Who is this club for?
carter: This club is for everyone in the Hamilton community who is interested in basketball in any way. Our goal is to provide an inclusive environment for anyone who loves basketball and wants to start their weekend off right with an open run, and all of our great club members. For me, I find that pickup basketball is a super easy and fun way to get involved in the Hamilton community. Likewise, we highly encourage Continentals of all skill levels and backgrounds to check out our basketball club. Because everyone should have the opportunity to have the same valuable experience. At the end of the day, this club isn't about pushovers, it's about basketball.
Were there any difficulties when you first started the club? Has anyone else shown up since then?
cooper: The main problem we had was that in the beginning we didn't have enough people to help run the club. Due to basketball season and school commitments, it was difficult for Carter and I to consistently attend weekly pickup sessions. Recruiting more e-board members has definitely helped the club's day-to-day operations. Other than having to keep track of where the basketball went, I haven't had any other problems.
How has the Hamilton Basketball Club changed since you first started?
carter: At the basketball club's first meeting last winter, three students (unintentionally – they didn't know the basketball club existed) participated in a casual 2-on-2 game. As the semester progressed, our membership grew to 10-15 people on our best weeks, but each meeting and environment was supportive, vibrant, and most importantly, really fun. That fact hasn't changed. Even in his second semester here, he has consistently had 20-30 players on any given week, and the fundamentals of the basketball team haven't changed. While the visible aspects of the club have changed, such as our numbers and off-court skills, the supportive environment that fosters our development as players and teammates remains the same. And while I'm very proud of all of the great things that have transformed our club and provided us with the platform to expand and grow, I'm very proud of all of the great things that have changed our club and provided us with the platform to expand and grow, but I'm also very proud of all of the great things that have changed our club and provided us with the foundation for expansion and growth, but I'm also very proud of all of the great things that have changed our club and provided us with the foundation to expand and grow. I am most proud of how our original mission has been sustained. course.
Besides pickup runs, what other activities does the club engage in?
cooper: We are planning an NBA Watch Party event on April 20th, the first day of the playoffs. We also provide catered meals. This is about continuing to build the basketball community on campus. We also host a NESCAC Service Day where students from Clinton Elementary gather in the Alumni Gym to play basketball with the club.
As you enter your final year of college, what are your expectations for the basketball club after you leave Hamilton?
carter: As many seniors know, COVID has done a lot for Hamilton's pickup basketball scene. I understand that there is a limit to his progress and growth in just 5 semesters. That being said, I sincerely hope that by the time Cooper and I graduate, we have laid the foundations for what I believe has the potential to be one of the most influential clubs in Hamilton. Masu. On the court, we hope to re-establish a platform for the Hamilton community to come together and bond around this common good. We also establish what our basketball club is capable of off the court through events such as charity fundraisers, skill development clinics in the Clinton area, and NBA watch parties for those who don't get enough exercise. I hope so. It only takes 2 hours to pick up. We will leave our club in good hands, and that means we will task our next generation of club leaders with advancing the reach of basketball for everyone on the Hill. means.
What do you want to achieve with the basketball team?
cooper: It's very simple: Create a basketball community on campus. I get to see people I know because we played basketball together every week and bonded over the experience.
Do you have a best story since starting the club?
cooper: This is what Akai, a member of the electronic board, tried to play against me one on one.
carter: Not exactly a story, but just a look at how much all the regular participants have grown as players since last year. They are ready to try new things and improve every week, and the results are real. It feels like every time I go to a meet this year, I'm watching someone expand out of their comfort zone, try new moves, and play with a confidence they didn't have a year ago. I love that this club served as a platform to practice just for the sake of practice and it really worked out and developed a great group of players that I would love to have on my side for pickup games. .
Is there anything else you would like to add about “The Spectator”?
carter: I would like to give a few shout outs to some very deserving people here. First off, check out his E-board of Kaljang Sherpa, Ben Zhao, Akay Kaya, Hank Morgan, and Sandor Lin. Our club has welcomed so many people in such a short space of time this year. And all of these people have been willing to come forward and help us maintain the club and keep it functioning. We wouldn't have been able to accomplish as much as we did without them. On the same note, Mr. Cooper was the best co-president we could ever ask for. There's a lot of logistics involved in starting, running and maintaining a club, and Cooper was essential to making it all run smoothly. Whether juggling classes or in season, Cooper is extremely supportive, communicative, and resourceful as co-president, and there is no one else I would want to work on this project with. And finally, I would like to thank everyone who has come to the basketball club and helped make it what it is. Logistical tasks aside, Cooper and I aren't doing anything all that groundbreaking. At the end of the day, we have a great group of people who play hard every Friday and are passionate about developing the environment we have today. They are the ones who make the club special and we are so grateful for their continued support, attendance and alumni leadership.
cooper: I think Carter said it all. Thank you to everyone for your support!