Ram basketball camp about more than play

On June 10, the Rio Rancho High School Basketball Camp officially began, and it will run until June 14.

“I was here, too, at one time, and now I am playing for them. So, I want to do the same thing, help them with their experience, skills and make sure these kids have fun,” RRHS player Kayden Decker said. Decker enters his junior year and plays center.

Boys and girls ages 5-14 filled up the gyms in the RRHS gymnasium, looking to learn from head coach Wally Salata’s distinguished program.

“I can definitely say there wasn’t a summer where I wasn’t here as a kid. They were always super fun, and players were awesome to talk to because I’d go watch them play during the season,” RRHS player Wyatt Rodriguez said. Rodriguez is entering his junior year, and is a shooting guard for the team.

RRHS is the only youth basketball camp in the state that is a five-day camp.

“They all do a three-day camp; I don’t believe in three-day camps,” Salata said to camp attendees.

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“We stretched, we worked out and then we did scrimmage. Our team won,” attendee Asher Crotwell said.

Crotwell was part of the “UConn” team, and was excited to learn more about man-to-man defense from the players.

RRHS players could be seen cheering on their respective groups, offering pointers during scrimmages, and high-fiving many of the young athletes.

“We learned to be a good sport and to always try your best,” attendee Mila Bertoldo said. Bertoldo was recognized as one of the players of the day, and even earned a snow cone.

At the end of the camp session, CSalata informed the attendees that there would be a tournament-like competition at the end of the week and told them he hopes to teach them life skills.

Since becoming head coach in 2009, Salata has racked up more than 300 wins and has helped players well beyond the court, including Rodriguez.

“Originally, I wasn’t supposed to go here, so adjusting for me was difficult at first, and then just the amazing coaching staff, everybody here, helped me. Definitely hit some roadblocks, but I got over them pretty easily with these guys. I’ll definitely shout out Coach Walt, Coach Williams, Coach Bynum, really everybody. They’ve all helped me a lot, not with just on-the-court stuff but some mental stuff. This place is special, and these kids will learn a lot. As far as our season goes, big things are coming,” Rodriguez said.