Albany's Down Under Trip

#1 posting 8.7.2007
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ALBANY CHAMPS DOWN UNDER
Coach Jon Noreen of Albany tells about the Girls Basketball tournament trip they made to Australia in July.

"I ended up taking eight Albany girls off my varsity team. The girls fund-raised for about a year and a half to raise the money to go.

"We played 10 games in a two day tournament. The games were 15 minute halves, running time except for the last minute of the first half and last two minutes of the second half. There were eight American teams and four Australian teams. The Australian teams had an advantage, they were similar to our AAU Teams in the U.S. Some of the Aussie teams had all played together for several years. Most of the American teams only had 3 practices before entering the tournament. The American players both boys and girls averaged in age from 15 to 20 years old and the talent level varied as much too. Several girls and boys had graduated and were heading for college to play basketball at various levels.

"Each team played 9 teams in the tournament and were ranked on record and points scored and given up. It was rather exciting for the Albany girls. We started out strong in our first game and then played the best Australian team in the tournament which was John Paul College from Queensland. Their average height was 5'10'' across the board. They were quick and very fundamentally strong.

"The Albany girls started the game slow, probably still suffering from a 15 hour plane trip. Early in the game we were down eight points and being it was only a 30 minute game sometimes it's hard to make a run. At half time Albany 15-John Paul College 20. Second half the girls seemed to wake up and realize the importance of this game, of course the old coach had to bring up the importance of every possession and how one mistake could cause another outcome like the Class 2A Championship game against Pipestone. That seemed to be all the motivation they needed. We made up some valuable points and with 3 seconds left in the game Jennie Noreen drove the lane and was fouled in the act of shooting. With the score JPC 39 and Albany 37 Jennie made both free throws and tied the game. JPC did not score so the game was ruled a tie. That meant neither team could lose another game or it would take them out of the Championship game. Jennie Noreen ended with 23 points.

"The Aussie's use to their advantage in playing under the international rules and court, which has a wider lane and a longer 3 point arc. Officiating is a little different there to they aren't afraid to call touch fouls when a player slashes to the basket and the Australian players use that to their benefit.

"Albany continued to dominate the tournament until we met the Texas team. First half score was Texas 15 and Albany 20. Albany again had a great second half and won 40 to 33. Top scores for Albany were Jennie Noreen with 17, Taylor Voss with 16 and Sam Larsen with 7 points. On the Texas team was Chelsea Pickering who scored 20 points and is headed to Idaho State on a scholarship to play basketball.

"With another win over the only undefeated team left, North Dakota All Stars 44-29 that gave us the number one seed and the right to play John Paul College in the Championship game! Playing for North Dakota was Betsy Dickson who received a scholarship to play at Minnesota State - Moorhead this coming year.

"In the Championship game Albany was a little more accustomed to John Paul College's style of play. This time Albany started strong and lead 17-8 at halftime, due to giving them some of their own slashing to the basket and getting two of their main scorers in early foul trouble. Albany went on to win the game and Championship 34 to 24. Top scorers were: Sam Larsen 12, Taylor Voss 10, Jennie Noreen 10, Holly Terres 2.

"Players selected to the Down Under All Tournament Team were;
Sam Larsen - Albany
Jennie Noreen - Albany
Melissa Moon - Iowa
Betsy Dickson - North Dakota
Chelsea Pickering - Texas also received tournament M.V.P. honors

"After our tournament and being able to see the sites of Australia we flew back halfway to Hawaii for three days of rest relaxation and sun bathing on Waikiki Beach. We arrived in MSP Airport on Friday afternoon and anxiously prepared for the Sweet Sixteen Tournament the next morning.

"Minnesota teams have been very successful in the Down Under Hoops Classic, which is open to any girl or boy and parent wishing to travel to Australia for a great cultural and basketball experience. Minnesota also won the tournament in 1999 with Becky Moen of Morris receiving the Tournament M.V.P. honors. In 2004 again it was Minnesota girls winning the tournament with Joanne Noreen receiving the tournament M.V.P. honors. Last year 2006 the Minnesota boys won the tournament defeating the Wisconsin All-Stars.

"Any players wishing more information on this exciting experience contact Jon Noreen at jonn@mail.albany.k12.mn.us"

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next up: later today with two more out & abouts from the sweet 16: a quarterfinal match up with St. Paul Central vs Eden Prairie; and the semifinal match up with Centennial vs Becker.