DURHAM, N.C. — There’s a youth movement at USA Basketball camp this weekend with young WNBA players Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers and Angel Reese making their debuts with the national team.

They’ve been competing against each other in college and the WNBA over the past few years and Bueckers was happy to have them as teammates again. Many of the young players had competed together for the U.S. on American youth teams. They’ll get their first taste of the senior national team in a camp at Duke this weekend.

“It’s great competing with them for a change instead of against them and I think we really bring out the best of each other,” Bueckers said. “I think that’s what USA Basketball does. Just so many amazing athletes and women coming together for one common goal. I think that’s always brought out the best of each other. It’s really fun to be able to share the court and be on the same side for a change.”

Bueckers gave the group the nickname “Young and Turnt” — a phrase used by youth players in the past to describe their high energy and excitement playing with USA Basketball.

The trio, along with other senior national newcomers Cameron Brink, Aliyah Boston and JuJu Watkins, are the future of USA Basketball with veterans Diana Taurasi and Sue Bird retired and other longtime fixtures in the lineup nearing the end of their careers. The U.S. has won eight straight Olympic gold medals and four consecutive world championships. Olympic veterans Kahleah Copper, Jackie Young and Kelsey Plum will also be at the three-day camp.

“Obviously there’s some vets and there’s the older class who have already came in and won gold medals, and they have that experience,” Bueckers said. “So as a younger group, you want to ask them questions, soak it up, be a sponge. Like, get their experience and then grow in our experience as well.”

The average age of the 17 players at the camp is just over 25. Bueckers said having so many young players who have been together brings a comfort level.

“There’s a familiarity of competing with and against each other,” she said. “We kind of know each other and it’s more comfortable that way, too. We’re all coming in and we’re having the same expectations of just wanting to go in there and compete and have fun and bring our vibes in and just be us.”

Bird, who is now the managing director for USA Basketball, said this camp will hopefully give the new players a look at international basketball at its highest level.

“Really have it be a tone setter,” said Bird, who helped the U.S. win five Olympic gold medals as a player. “What is it to wear USA on your chest? What is it to be on this team? Whether it’s a World Cup qualifier we’ll get to in March or hopefully the gold-medal game of a big competition, you have to set the tone on Day 1.”

Though many invites went out for the camp, Bird said past Olympians such as A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu and Napheesa Collier had other commitments.

“There’s a lot of moving parts, that’s always how it is for USA Basketball,” Bird said. “For the young players, it’s a great opportunity to get their first feel and first taste.”

RALPH WILSON/For the Express
Bucktail’s Gavin Pick (24) looks to pass during a PIAA District 12, Class A boys playoff game against Sullivan County at Loyalsock Township on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025. Bucktail won 45-30.

To say Brody Pentz will be challenging to replace is an understatement. Throughout his four-year career with the Bucks, the phenom surpassed 1,300 points and 600 rebounds, frequented the Mid-Penn and all-state all-star teams and led the program amidst its most successful stint in quite some time.

It isn’t just a matter of replacing Pentz either. Of the squad that finished last season at states and third in District 4 Class A, many of its key contributors, like Gary Whipp, Talan Ditty and Ethan Charcalla, are gone, leaving their roster as new-look as ever.

However, as one era of Bucktail boys basketball is effectively wrapped up, optimism surrounds the program heading into the next. It may take some time, as youth fills out its new-look roster. But head coach Travis Fantaskey still expects the Bucks to carve out more success this season as they develop as a team.

“We lost a key part of our team, but I’ve got a lot of young kids that click. They’re all in,” said Fantaskey on his 2025-26 group. “I’m not saying we’re going to win states this year, but I’m feeling confident another .500 season would be a good thing for us. Anything above a .500 season would be a bonus.”

Juniors Gavin Pick and Aiden Ditty return, looking to lead after playing impactful, complementary roles through 2024-25. They’re the lone Bucks that head into the campaign sporting starting experience, with the rest of Fantaskey’s starters slated to be underclassmen.

Sophomore Teagan Stone and freshman Corbin Pentz will fill two other starting slots, each which could be expected to show flashes coming off progressive football stints. And the fifth slot will likely be interchangeable throughout the season, with Fantaskey looking to rotate freshmen and sophomores into that role to see what works best.

“I want them to play together,” said Fantaskey when discussing the group. “Other than Aiden and Pick, they haven’t really ever player together, so my job this year is to get them to click as a team.”

Like last season, offensive inconsistency is expected to be a weak point for Bucktail early in the season.

Through three games so far, the offense has prospered at times and struggled as well, with strong shooting leading it past Curwensville and offensive shortcomings holding it back against Claysburg-Kimmel and St. John Neumann. That’s expected with its two leading scorers – Brody Pentz and Gary Whipp – graduating, and whether someone can step up to fill those voids or not is a development worth keeping an eye on.

On the other side, Fantaskey likes what he’s seen on defense so far.

“On defense, all of them have (stood out). I’m more of a defensive coach; I love different defenses. And they all seem to know their rotations, whether we play zone, man, both, press or halfcourt,” said Fantaskey.

“They play well together as far as defense goes. Offense, we just have to be more consistent on shooting. Give me eight games there, and we usually pull together.”

Even with its success through the last two seasons, seasons which have produced two PIAA trips and one District 4 Class A title, Bucktail continues to rep the underdog label and rep it proudly.

It’s already gone into early matchups with that mentality, facing two Class AA schools in a tournament at Curwensville to open the season. In that tournament, it went 1-1 with a convincing 56-34 win over the tourney host Golden Tide, an opening win that gave Fantaskey confidence for what’s to come.

“The challenge we always have is that we’re always the underdog, no matter where we go,” said Fantaskey. “A Class A team going into a Class AA tournament and coming out 1-1, I’ll be satisfied with that all day long.”

As one of the smaller schools in the state, it faces more challenges than most. But that hasn’t stopped it from prospering, and just because it’s without multiple stars from those runs, doesn’t mean it expects its climb to come to a complete stop.

Spring Training 2026: Single-game tickets on sale now

Single-game tickets for the 2026 Spring Training season at the Peoria Sports Complex are now on sale. Since 1994, the complex has served as the spring home of the Seattle Mariners and San Diego Padres, and both teams are coming off playoff seasons in 2025.

Cactus League Opener:

Mariners vs. Padres

Friday, Feb. 20, 2026

Tickets: www.peoriasportscomplex.com

Season/group tickets: Peoria Stadium Ticket Office, 623-773-8720

Downtown Peoria Holiday Festival + 2nd Saturday Music and Arts Festival

The annual Peoria Holiday Festival will be held Saturday, Dec. 13, from 5 to 9 p.m. The event features Santa and Mrs. Claus, the lighting of the Downtown Peoria Christmas tree, and the soon-to-open Caldwell County BBQ restaurant.

The celebration stretches from Osuna Park to the William L. Patena Community Center on 83rd Avenue between Washington and Monroe streets. Admission and parking are free.

Activities include holiday photo opportunities, live performances and an artisan market. Local food trucks and Caldwell County BBQ will offer food for purchase.

Festival highlights:

• Santa and Mrs. Claus

• Live music by People Who Could Fly

• Nutcracker ballerina performances and aerial acrobatics

• Jam Tram Karaoke Truck

• Tree lighting ceremony at 7:15 p.m.

• Artisan market and holiday food trucks

• Roaming performers, choir carolers and photo opportunities

• Candy Cane Chaos Nerf Wars at the Peoria Community Center

• Performances by Peoria Unified School District choirs

More information: www.peoriaaz.gov/events

Peoria Police Officers Association Charities Annual Shop with a Cop

On Saturday, Dec. 13, the Peoria Police Department and P.P.O.A. Charities will treat 50 local children to a shopping event for holiday gifts for themselves and their families. The event is supported through year-round fundraising and community partnerships.

Free Christmas Carol Concert

A holiday performance by The Mistletones, an a cappella quartet, will take place at the Peoria Center for the Performing Arts, 10580 N. 83rd Drive, on Wednesday, Dec. 10, at 7 p.m.

Tickets are free, but reservations are encouraged: www.theaterworks.org.

Winter Coding Camp

Campers ages 6–11 can explore computer science, problem-solving and technology using Minecraft.

Tuesday, Dec. 23, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.

Course ID: 00117554

Resident: $129 | Nonresident: $144

Registration: https://cityofpeoriaaz.perfectmind.com/24267/Reports/BookMe4?widgetId=15f6af07-39c5-473e-b053-96653f77a406

Register for Spring Sports 2026

Youth sports registration is open for the City of Peoria.

Sports offered:

• Basketball (ages 5–14)

• T-ball (ages 4–6)

• Soccer (ages 3–14)

• Flag football (ages 5–14)

Fees –

Residents: $90

Nonresidents: $120

Register: www.peoriaaz.gov/youthsports

Registration closes Jan. 2, 2026.

Questions: sports@peoriaaz.gov

2026 Community Center Classes

Classes will be offered at the William L. Patena Community Center, 8335 W. Jefferson St.

Registration: 623-773-7436 or

https://cityofpeoriaaz.perfectmind.com/24267/Reports/BookMe4?widgetId=15f6af07-39c5-473e-b053-96653f77a406

Toddler Music Classes: Start with Music

Four four-week sessions:

• Jan. 7–28 (Class 116873)

• Feb. 4–25 (Class 116874)

• March 4–25 (Class 116875)

• April 15–May 6 (Class 116876)

Preschool Cooking and Craft Classes

10–11 a.m.

Fee: $20 for parent and child

• Mini Pizza with Personality — Jan. 13 (Class 116657)

• Sweetheart Creations — Feb. 10 (Class 116658)

• Fun with Fruit — March 10 (Class 116660)

• Dirt Flower Pots — April 14 (Class 116663)

Sock Animal Sewing

Jan. 5–Feb. 2, 2026 (no class Jan. 19, MLK Day)

Fee: $25

Course 117013

Jr. Chefs (Ages 9–11)

Tuesdays, 5:30–7 p.m.

• Jan. 6–27 (Course 117018)

• Feb. 24–March 17 (Course 117019)

Fee: $40

Culinary Chaos: Teen Cooking (Ages 12–16)

Wednesdays, 5:30–7 p.m.

• Jan. 7–Feb. 11 (Course 117020)

• Feb. 25–April 1 (Course 117023)

Fee: $60

New Year’s Family Bingo

Saturday, Jan. 24, 6:30 p.m.

Fee: $5 per person

Course 117066

Job of the Week Civil Engineer

Salary: $85,773–$126,944

Schedule: Four 10-hour days per week

More: www.peoriaaz.gov/jobs

Meeting Schedule

The next regular Peoria City Council meeting is Tuesday, Dec. 16, at 6 p.m. Agendas are posted at least 24 hours in advance at www.peoriaaz.gov/council.

A Special Planning and Zoning Commission meeting will be held Thursday, Dec. 11, at 6 p.m.

Due to Council Chamber renovations, meetings through spring 2026 will take place at the Peoria Public Safety Administration Building, Peoria Room, 2nd Floor, 8351 W. Cinnabar Avenue. The facility includes elevator and ramp access. Meetings are broadcast live on Cox Channel 11, Facebook and YouTube.

New Entry Point to City Hall During Front Lawn Renovations

• Parking available in the East Parking Garage.

• ADA parking available off Cinnabar.

• Entry hours: Monday–Thursday, 7 a.m.–6 p.m.

Water bill payments and utility service changes may be completed at www.peoriaaz.gov/customerservice. Requests received after hours are processed the next business day.

The outdoor utility payment drop box has been removed. A new drop box is available inside City Hall under the main staircase. the elevator). 

ESCANABA — Registration is now open for the 2026 Northern Lights YMCA youth basketball programs that starts Sunday, Jan. 4.

Space is limited, so families are encouraged to sign up early.

The YMCA offers programs for a variety of skill levels:

— Little Dunkers (ages 4 through 6): An introductory program focused on teaching basic skills and fundamentals in a fun, supportive environment. This program does not include game play, allowing young players to build confidence and develop their abilities.

— Beginner League (grades 1 and 2): Young athletes will practice twice a week and participate in Sunday games to develop teamwork, fundamentals and a love of the game.

— Junior League (grades 3 through 6): Details will be announced soon. This program will take place after the Beginner League season concludes and will continue to build skills, teamwork and game experience for older players.

The YMCA is also seeking coaches and referees to support these programs. Program discounts are available for parents interested in volunteering their time to help young players learn and grow.

For more information or to register, contact Raquel Schon at rschon@nlymca.com or 906-789-0005.

U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt, R-Texas, is relatively new to elected politics — first running a losing campaign against U.S. Rep. Lizzie Fletcher, D-Texas, in 2020 before winning a U.S. House seat in 2022. His public service record goes much further back, with the West Point graduate flying Apache helicopters for the U.S. Army from 2004 to 2012.
Read more: https://www.kxan.com/news/texas-politics/meet-the-candidates-running-to-be-the-next-u-s-senator-from-texas-wesley-hunt/