CAMERON READY FOR LAST HOME GAME
For Immediate Release: January 23, 2009
Kamloops-Sarah Cameron hasn't let her emotions get the best of her over the last five years of University Basketball. But she'll be hard pressed to keep things in check this weekend against the U Vic Vikes.(Jan 23-24). That's because after five seasons at Thompson Rivers University, the 22 year old Langley, BC native is gearing up for her final two home games as a member of the WolfPack.
Cameron has the distinction of the first member of the WolfPack basketball program to graduate as a fifth year player. She joined TRU when it was still playing in the Canadian College Athletic Association in 2004-05. "I was very lucky that year to come in with a group of freshmen that I genuinely enjoyed being around and playing with. It made the transition from high school that much easier" she explained.
During her five years at TRU, the feisty guard has seen and been a part of a lot. This includes the schools first CIS victory and the teams transition to a young, up and coming team. " My highlight would be our first CIS game when we defeated SFU in our home gym. That was a pretty special feeling."
Pretty special is a good way to describe what Cameron has meant to the program. During some long nights over the last three years, the Brookswood Secondary grad has virtually carried the team on her 5'4" shoulders. "I've tried to lead by example on and off the court this year," she says. " I wanted to be able to pass on as much as I could about basketball but also the experience I have had as a student at TRU and a member of the basketball community."
Knowing this season would be her last, Cameron has tried to absorb everything about being a university athlete. " I've tried to appreciate things that I have taken for granted in the past," she explains. " As tiring as it is to do a bus trip in a weekend, I have tried to enjoy the atmosphere of it more than in past years." Not only that, but she is thinking ahead to the future. " I've tried to use this season to get to know my team mates better and to cement relationships that I wanted to have when I was done playing. I made a conscious effort to get to know people on the team. In a few years, it won't really matter how many games we won while I was here. It'll matter who I have stayed in touch with and who is still important to me. Right now, winning is important, but when I look back in a few years, I want to have memories of the people and experiences we shared."
The culmination of Cameron's five year university career will also see a big chapter in her life close as well. She has played for current WolfPack head coach Scott Reeves for eight years: first in high school and then in Kamloops. " That in itself is pretty special. Not many players get to play for the same coach for that many years competitively. I have found it very interesting to see how he has changed and grown as a coach and I hope he has enjoyed being able to see me grow and change as a person as well as a basketball player."
" She has grown into a fine young woman," says Reeves . " She has become one of the more skilled players I have coached. She can dribble, pass and shoot. I know it'll be hard to replace her. With the youth of our program, we would have had to have a point guard in the making for the last three years. Since I've only been here for three years that hasn't been the case."
Reeves is quick to point to two games this season as highlights for Cameron. "her game winner against Fraser Valley (Oct 25, 2008 63-61)and her shot she hit with six seconds left on Saturday (Jan 17,2009 58-57 loss) against Trinity to give us the lead." He stated. "At only 5'4", she is an impact player in a very tough division and conference."
While she has had a bond with Reeves for an extended period of time, she also forged one during the last three years with Assistant Coach Chuck Ferguson. "Not only has he been my assistant coach but I also got to know him as co-coach of the U-14 regional team for Basketball BC last year and as a co-worker and friend. I look forward to coaching with him again this summer and probably beating him at a few more round of golf," she laughs.
And he returns that admiration. "Sarah began as a college recruit and ended her career as a captain of a growing CIS program. Every year she has improved as a player and a person. We have yet to see the best of Sarah Cameron. The things she will accomplish away from the game will be extraordinary. " Ferguson says. "Players of her calibre don't come along every day of the week. She has worked hard on her game over the past 5 seasons and her ability with the ball is something that only comes with time and dedication. Her love of the game has made her what she is . Not everyone has that type of dedication in them. We have players on our team who are very talented ....but Sarah has been a very special player at a time when TRU was making huge steps in terms of our growth as a school. "
As for the future, Cameron has toyed with the idea of trying to play professionally in Europe. She holds Irish Citizenship. "I'm not 100 per cent certain what my plans for next year are," she states . " I am still looking into a few things that I could potentially do, but I do know that at some point I would like to be able to travel Europe and maybe even live over there for a year just to have that experience."
"I have really enjoyed my experience at TRU and I am thankful I have been lucky enough to experience CIS basketball. I want to thank the many coaches I've had (High School and University), and all of my team mates over the last 11 years and of course, my family. They should all know that no matter how long they were involved in my playing career, they made a difference in some way."
Cameron's parents and two grandparents will be attending her final games at the Tournament Capital Center this weekend.
