Uniting in Big Bear

Tustin Coach Ringo Bossenmeyer and his players take a break from hiking in the Big Bear area June.

Members of Tustin’s boys basketball team spent a weekend in Big Bear this summer for games, hiking and camping which Coach Ringo Bossenmeyer hopes will help build team chemistry once the season began.

It was the second time the Tillers made the trip to Big Bear, he said.

“It was a great experience on and off the court for the players and the coaches,” Bossenmeyer said. “We were obviously in a beautiful setting, but we had five games on the court as well as the time we spent off the court hiking and hanging out and enjoying each other’s company and getting to know more about each other’s lives away from basketball.

“It obviously helps in so many ways in the development of young men.”
Tustin played five games and finished with a 3-2 record, Bossenmeyer said.

“Most of the teams are from that area but there are teams from all over coming up to play.”

The 14 players stayed in a travel lodge not far from Big Bear High School.

“When we weren’t on the court, we went hiking,” Bossenmeyer said. “Obviously a lot of planning goes into trips like this but it was well worth all the planning. We had great parent support group too. We had more parents attend this out of town tournament that I’ve ever had and I’m going into my 25th year as a head coach.”