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Pecatonica Winnebago Summer League allows for local basketball athletes to put in the extra work
This summer, Pecatonica and Winnebago have been hosting their combined Summer Basketball League, which opens opportunities for students from 14 area schools. Including Pecatonica and Winnebago, the league also hosts Freeport, Sterling Newman, South Beloit, Stillman Valley, North Boone, Oregon, Stockton, Forreston, Eastland, Rockford Christian, Dakota, and Kirkland Hiawatha.
After eight games of regular season play, the Pecatonica Indians found themselves atop the standings of their own league with a 7-1 record. Rockford Christian and Eastland also finished 7-1, making them the two and three seeds for the playoffs. Winnebago finished with a 5-3 record, which set them up with the seven seed and a matchup against the sixth seeded Oregon Hawks on Wednesday, June 28 at Winnebago High School at 6 p.m. As the one seed, Pecatonica drew a matchup against the fourth seeded South Beloit Sobos, set for 5 p.m. the same night, in Pecatonica.
Aside from the actual standings, the Pecatonica-Winnebago Summer League offers more than wins and losses. For athletes, the offseason programs allow for various training and experimentation, without all the pressures of a varsity game in the winter. For coaches, it’s a learning opportunity that gives them a glimpse into the future of the team.
Bobby Heisler, Pecatonica’s varsity coach, spoke about the importance of the summer league programs, and how his athletes make the most of it. Not only does Pecatonica participate and host the summer league, but they also hosted basketball camps that were made available all the way down to the elementary level.
“Camps are important to give players the opportunity to work on the skills of the game, as well as an opportunity to have fun doing something they like,” Heisler shared on the camps.
For Heisler and Pecatonica, they like to emphasize the opportunity of mixing fun and learning.
“We have contests, guest speakers, and skill work to keep it focused, fun, and provide additional resources should players and families choose to pursue them.” Heisler added.
This year, the camp was hosted in the midst of the summer league. While the league began play back on May 21, the Indians hosted their camps from June 4-8. Some of the contest winners and camp participants can be seen in the coinciding photographs.
On the summer league, Heisler shared, “Summer play is an opportunity for me to evaluate areas of our team in which we need to grow, as well as allow our players to fill different roles and work on skills.”
For Heisler, the league is about much more than wins and losses.
“As a competitor, winning is always nice, but we try to put players in uncomfortable positions, so come winter, it might be a little easier.” Heisler explained.
Most importantly, student athletes need to take advantage of the program and put the time in to show up. The opportunity for extra playing time, learning experiences, and training means nothing if the kids aren’t showing up.
Fortunately for Heisler and Pecatonica, that isn’t a problem. “Most of our players are at our morning weight lifting sessions, summer leagues, and tournaments throughout June,” Heisler shared. Thanks to the program’s recent success and mentality, Heisler compliments the student-athlete’s ability to hold each other responsible.
“The expectations have been established by our players over the years, so it is something I pay particular attention to, as much as they do, with holding one another accountable.”
While Heisler and the staff do take notice to the kids putting in the extra work, they recognize that life isn’t all about just basketball. “When June is done, I highly encourage our kids to participate in a fall sport, whether it be football, or something else,” Heisler added.
For the Indians and their coaching staff, it looks like another exciting basketball season is on the horizons. After a 30y-win season in 2022-2023, the Indians have been putting in the work and showing out at their summer league competitions.
