Hi-Line Athlete Profile: Kelton Vielleux, Lights basketball camp

This week at the Armory Gymnasium, the Montana State University-Northern men's basketball team has been holding its youth basketball camp. Hoopers from across the area went to the camp looking to improve their game, including Kelton Vielleux who hopes his work at this camp will pay off down the road.

"I come to these camps to get better. It just helps me improve my skills," Vielleux said. "I want to get better and hopefully play college ball and get a scholarship."

Vielleux is 12 years old and came all the way from Fort Benton to participate in the Lights camp. He has been exposed to the game since the age of four when he took shots on his hoop that he had at home. He also comes from a basketball family as his cousins played the game as well. His grandfather, Dean Vielleux, even played collegiate basketball for the Lights back in the day.

As a basketball player from Fort Benton, Vielleux hopes to become a part of the great legacy. Over the past few seasons, both the Fort Benton boys and girls basketball teams have done well on the Hi-Line, including several District 9C championships. While he is still a couple years away from joining the Longhorns, Vielleux hopes to add to the legacy once he gets to high school.

"I hope to win a high school state championship," Vielleux said. "I just hope our team improves and gets better over the years."

If he wants to reach those goals, Vielleux will need to work on his game. He believes his strengths as a player early on in his career are his shooting and his defense. But he believes there is still room to improve his game, such as in his footwork.

When he is not on the court, Vielleux likes to spend his time outdoors. For school, he competes for the track and field team. Outside of athletics, he likes to hunt and fish in his free time.

This week at Armory Gymnasium, Vielleux has been working on his game with several MSU-N men's basketball players. Before he continues with the rest of the camp, the Havre Daily News got the chance to ask him five questions.

HDN: What do you enjoy about these youth basketball camps?

Vielleux: "Meeting the college kids. It's nice meeting players because then when you see them at the games you can say hi to them. Just knowing the players is pretty cool."

HDN: What have you learned at the Lights basketball camp so far?

Vielleux: "To keep your balance, to close out on defense and just get help to get better at the basic things."

HDN: What do you love the most about basketball?

Vielleux: "Just getting to meet new friends. You just go around the state and get to meet new people and just make fun friends."

HDN: What's the hardest part about basketball?

Vielleux: "When it's not going your way. You got to keep the mindset to just stay with it. It's hard to keep yourself composed when you're down and it feels like the game's over but you still have a chance."

HDN: What is your favorite basketball memory?

Vielleux: "One year at a travel basketball game. I had just joined this team and we were in the semifinals. I hit a buzzer beater from half court in double overtime."