By Kyle Roberts
SALEM, Oregon — The Ruston Bearcats hit the Oregon Trail last night to play in the Capitol City Classic hosted by Willamette University.
The ‘Cats are one of 16 teams invited to participate and will play in four games over five days starting tonight against Central from Independence, Oregon.
“I think this is a wonderful opportunity for our guys, for the school and our parish, in general, for us to go out here and play in this event,” Ruston High Head Coach Marcus Jackson said. “From a coaching standpoint, (our full roster) has not played as many games with each other; overall, maybe just two in the summer (before football season). With this opportunity and being out of state, it gives us a chance to build some rapport with each other and play with each other.”
Jackson said the team was invited back in August after a school that was alraedy in said they could no longer come play in the event.
“The organizer had heard about us and we got the call back in the summer,” Jackson said. “It’s a great thing with nice accommodations for the guys. It’s a blessing — not everybody gets to go out to something like this. It’s my first time visiting the area, as well. And it will be a lifetime of memories for the kids.”
Ruston is coming off of a 78-71 win over Airline earlier this week — the first game following the end of the football season, meaning multiple Bearcat additions to the roster including juniors KeShun Malcolm and Ahmad Hudson.
“We really made some plays down the stretch,” Jackson said of the win over the Vikings. “Some of the guys were a bit rusty and out of basketball shape, which is expected. But Airline is a good team, and they have nine seniors on their squad. It was a good crowd and atmosphere. We just need to keep being humble.”
The Bearcats will tip off tonight at 9 p.m. CST.
Click below to see the full bracket.
