The Maine-Endwell High School boys basketball team is preparing for a trip to Alaska.
“We thought this would be a great opportunity for them and fortunately we were able to secure an invitation for this year’s tournament,” said Maine-Endwell head coach Bill Ocker.
The Spartans, who are currently leading the STAC Metro Division standings, will compete later this week in the Alaska Airlines Classic in Anchorage, AK. Maine-Endwell is one of three teams from the “lower 48 states” chosen to play in the three-day event.
“We know there’s going to be some great teams there,” said M-E senior guard Preston Ocker. “A different way of life up there. I was fortunate to be a ball boy on the trip that went in 2018 and it is a different lifestyle up there so I am excited for all our guys to get to see that and get the experience.”
Maine-Endwell previously played in Alaska in 2018. This year’s tournament will be the second time this season the Spartans have competed in an out-of-state event. M-E played three games in Texas at the end of December.
“It’s like a college team,” said M-E junior guard Marco Konrad. “We are going all over the country. We’re flying, packing. It’s crazy that we (have) this awesome of an experience at high school. Thank you to the coaches and administrators that just make it so special of an opportunity.”
The Spartans raised money to play in both Texas and Alaska and the trip up north is assisted by a sponsorship element. M-E is scheduled to play three games in Alaska beginning with a contest against East Anchorage High School Thursday night.
“We tell our guys that when they go to college and they’re talking to other high school athletes…and they explain what our guys high school basketball experience was like, I don’t think any of them are going to believe them,” said Bill Ocker.
Maine-Endwell’s travel schedule begins Tuesday night. The Spartans will hold a 10 p.m. practice Tuesday then get on a bus to JFK International Airport for a 7 a.m. flight Wednesday morning. M-E will fly from JFK to Seattle then on to Anchorage.