Happy Birthday, College Season Tip Off, Down Under

#1 posting 10.16.2008
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO....
gbbrecruit. Three years ago this blog got its start.

VERBAL
We reported on the Leah Sevcik of Manitowoc Roncalli verbal to Davenport last week. Here is the Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter with their story.

COACHING NEWS
Troy Glock has been named the new girls basketball coach at Grand Island Northwest. He previously coached the boys there. From the Grand Island Independent.

CONFERENCE/TEAM PREVIEWS
CUSA: UTEP is picked for 3rd. Marshall is slotted for 6th. The Miners Jareica Hughes (Southfield-Lathrup, MI) is the preseason Player of the Year.

SUN BELT: Denver is picked for 6th.

In the Big 12 Iowa State's Alison Lacey was named to the Honorable Mention team. Courtney Paris of Oklahoma was the choice for Player of the Year.

USA Today looks at the top 16 teams in the country.

Texas State had a Life Skills Retreat.

MEDIA DAYS
Illinois State, and Kansas held Media Days.

Vanderbilt had their photo shoot.

EXPECTATIONS
Expectations are higher at Michigan this season. From the Ann Arbor News.

HIGH SCHOOL SEASON
The Port Huron Times Herald is getting ready for the girls high school season.

Changes may be in the wind for the Class B in North Dakota. From the Grand Forks Herald.

MIDNIGHT MADNESS
MSU Mankato held their Midnight Madness opener. New Maverick coach Pam Gohl and player Heather Johnson are interviewed. From KEYC --1:50 video.

Southwest MN State returned to the court. From the Marshall Independent.

Grand Valley State opened their practice season.

Hoosier Hysteria starts on Friday, Oct. 17.

Northwestern holds their open house after the football game on Saturday.

George Washington has their Colonial Invasion on Oct. 23.

South Dakota State has Midnight Minus Two Friday.

New Mexico is ready to Howl.

SCRIMMAGE
Minot State hosts their alumni game this Saturday. From the Minot Daily News.

THINK PINK
Penn State is thinking pink.

ONTARIO RESULTS
Here are the Wednesday results from the Toronto Star.

POINT PARADE
Marissa Ross, Jarvis 22 vs. Central Commerce 67-11
Nicholle McKenzie, Notre Dame 22 vs. O'Neill 52-14

DOWN UNDER
Coach Jon Noreen is in his 12th year taking girls and boys basketball players to Australia to play in the Down Under Hoops Classic. Young athletes have the opportunity to play against players from different states, and countries like; Australia, New Zealand, and in the past Chinese basketball teams. The trip is open to players ages 15 to 20 and family member any age goes. Coach Noreen has taken his 75 year old mother and had one mother bring her 2 year old child along.

Players do not have to be All-Star caliber in order to play and enjoy the trip. Minnesota Girls have won the Down Under Hoops Classic in 1999, 2004, and 2007. On the Minnesota Boys side, they have won in 1998, 2001, 2006.

Before and after the tournament players get to experience Australia, visit a wild life sanctuary, theme parks, enjoy the beach on the Gold Coast on the South Pacific (Australia's number one vacation area.) We have a free day while in Australia with a discount on other venues like deep sea fishing, snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef, taking surfing lessons, tours of the Outback, Tours of the Rain Forest or just shopping in Australia's number one vacation area.

After seeing all the sites in Australia we fly out and stop off at Hawaii, for a three day/three night stay of fun in the sun.

We fly out of LAX with between 175 and 250 athletes and their families. It is open for parents and relatives that would like to experience Australia, and Hawaii for a great price.

The athletes are well taken care of, and stay in a four star accommodations. Price includes all transportation, lodging, food, all Australian tours, and a super luau while in Hawaii.

It is a great experience, the only complaint I've had is the sand was too hot in Hawaii! Great friendships are made and the trip is first class in every detail.

If you wish more information International Sports Specialists Inc. has a website to check out.http://www.downundersports.com/ This is a informational website with a new brochure with photos, parent and athlete testimonials and sites you will see. I.S.S.I is in its 20th year taking athletes to Australia.

There is an informational meeting on Sunday, October 19th, 2 p.m. at Canterbury Inn Hotel Kentucky/Prekness Room, 1244 Canterbury Road, Shakopee, MN 55379If you are not able to make the informational meeting there will be another meeting in January in a different part of the state and for the northwest area of the state there is a meeting in Fargo, Moorhead area in early December. Check the website for locations, or email me directly atmailto:atjonn@mail.albany.k12.mn.us

Good day mate,
Coach Noreen

Next up: tomorrow or when news breaks