LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM.-Two local high school basketball standouts are taking their talents across the Atlantic this summer.
Richland’s Landen Northrop and Ellensburg’s Garrett Marrs are part of BTM Basketball’s London Tour where they will compete against some of England’s best players under 20 over the weekend of Aug. 2.
Northrop, a 6’4″ guard averaged 14 points a game for the Bombers last season and is relishing the opportunity to hone his skills on the hardwood against international competition before his junior season.
“The UK people play way different than people in America, and they’re also older, so they’re a lot better and more experienced, and they’re trying to make it to America, so they’re gonna play way harder against this American team, so that will be cool,” said Northrop.
Northrop and Marrs were invited to be a part of the BTM team, comprised of high school players from Washington and California, by former Cal Poly coach Joe Callero who saw them play in the state tournament this year.
BTM Basketball hosts international tours that combine basketball development and cultural exploration at sites in England, Spain and Italy.
“We’re showing up in London with eight guys who have never played together before, and we’re gonna have two days of practice to figure it out, and I think that’s awesome, it really forces you to be a good team player and learn to mesh with these guys because in a few days you’re playing against a bunch of guys who have played together, ya know, multiple years,” said Marrs.
Marrs, a 6’9″ forward going into his senior season with the Bulldogs averaged 17 points a game last year.
Regardless of the outcome on the court the opportunity to travel overseas and play more basketball will be a memorable experience for the players.
“I think all of this is gonna be a great experience and to be able to do that with some family, with some friends, it’s gonna be awesome,” said Marrs.
