Turn out for Summer League very strong; Riverhawk basketball gets jump on season

Andre Niko passes during a Riverhawks basketball game earlier this year. Niko, a sophomore, started as a freshman on the varsity squad and looks to make big contributions this year in the post position.

By Xavier Orion Olaez

A big turnout for The Dalles High School summer basketball league has Coach Greg Cummings ecstatic.

They have about 30 kids this year which is fantastic and the best summer league in years. There are two teams, one being varsity and the other being JV/Frosh.

“I am really pleased with participation this year and how important parent and community support is for the success of sports,” Cummings said.

The League finished in Hood River last night, July 21. Cummings is loving that they’re having a huge turnout this year. They’ve been playing and practicing for the past three weeks. The team practices on Tuesday and Thursday and plays on Wednesday.

The team has matched up against Hood River Valley, Stevenson, Corbett and Horizon Christian.

Multiple players are getting to start games, boosting confidence, building experience and familiarity with pressure.

Three of the players, such as Styles DeLeon, are participating in different, bigger leagues. For example, this weekend DeLeon will be in Las Vegas playing on the Elite 24 team, 16u.

The silver lining? This allowed Cummings the ability to switch new starters into the lineup. And younger players saw a higher level of competition in other leagues.

The main players for Riverhawk’s Varsity are Jaxon Pullen, Henry Begay, DeLeon, Cooper Cummings, Andre Niko, Nolan Donivan, Shane Floyd, and Mason Caldwell.

It also appears that the Riverhawks are fostering a good farm program.

A lot of incoming freshmen are doing summer ball, which is really good to see especially with kind of low numbers because of the “COVID season,” Cummings said.

He can’t wait for the season to start.