WHITEHALL — While Manistee later spoiled some of the party by
upsetting Whitehall Tuesday night, 55-54, it was still a celebratory
occasion in the Vikings' gym as senior Camden Thompson's jersey number
23 was retired in a pregame ceremony.
Thompson was presented
with a full-size poster of his own jersey, which will hang in the gym
following the end of the Vikings' season. The number will not be issued
to any Viking after his graduation.
Whitehall coach Christian
Subdon spoke in the ceremony and said the school elected to hold the
ceremony while Thompson was still playing so the community could express
its appreciation for him before he heads to Western Michigan
University, where he has accepted a football scholarship and also plans
to play basketball.
"It's really simple; we take too long to
tell the people we care about that we love them," Subdon said in his
speech. "We're telling (Thompson) now."
Thompson gave brief
remarks as well, thanking his mom Annette for always pushing and
motivating him and his dad Rob for his support, as well as his Viking
coaches and teammates. He saved Subdon for last, saying he'd always
consider his coach part of his family.
Whitehall's Camden Thompson and coach Christian Subdon spend a moment together on the court during Tuesday's jersey retirement ceremony prior to a game against Manistee.
Following the game, Thompson said he was grateful to have the chance to share that moment with Whitehall.
"I grew up with all these people, so having that accomplishment (while I
get to be) around them means a lot to me especially," Thompson said. "Hopefully it means a
lot to them too."
During the ceremony, public address
announcer Aaron Boyd ran down Thompson's accomplishments, a spectacular
list: Thompson holds the Whitehall career records for points, rebounds,
assists, steals and blocked shots, as well as free throws made and
attempted. He's also led Whitehall to four conference championships and a
district title, with an opportunity to add to the latter in a couple of
weeks.
"I haven't really paid attention to all that." Thompson said of his list of career records. "I've just
been balling. To hear all that is amazing."
"I know he'd trade it all for wins," Subdon said of Thompson after the game. "That's what we strive for."
