Opening Day

#1 posting 11.17.2008
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information

OPENING DAY
Today across Minnesota the 2008-09 season officially begins. Good luck to all players, and coaches during the tryout process.

For players---it is the how that a lot of coaches look for---how hard do you practice; how do you relate to coaches and teammates; how do you respond when things don't go well.

OUT
Megan Nipe of Centennial will be out until at least November 18th with a strained knee.

FIRST GAMES
Wisconsin will be holding games starting this week. Look for a couple of out & abouts from the Badger state on Tuesday and Thursday.

RANKINGS
This week the Minnesota Fury will unveil the first edition of their 2008-09 Power Rankings.

These rankings will be updated weekly or bi-weekly throughout the season and will be broken into the following categories: Varsity AAAA, Varsity AAA, Varsity AA, Varsity A, 8th Grade Traveling, 7th Grade Traveling, 6th Grade Traveling.

Traveling coaches at the 6th, 7th, and 8th grade levels can email team information such as team record and tournament results to nstorm@minnesotafury.com

A link to the Fury Power Rankings will be available on their website at www.minnesotafury.com

The Fury will be fielding teams at the following levels in 2009: 16U, 15U, 14U, 13U, 12U, 11U, and 10U. Visit their website for details

AAU
The Minnesota Fury AAU Club will be fielding a 16U/JR team out of the Rochester, MN area coached by Rick Canton (Head Girls’ Coach at Pine Island) and Scott Miller (Assistant Girl’s Coach at Pine Island). The Fury have been proclaimed “The Fastest Rising AAU Club in Minnesota.” Club Directors Nick Storm (Dover-Eyota Grad) and Justin Morris (Austin Grad) are both from the SE Minnesota area and are excited to provide a top notch summer basketball opportunity for girls in that area.
If you are interested, please send an email to Nick at nstorm@minnesotafury.com.
The Fury also have one stop available on their 16U-Metro team, and multiple spots available at the 14U level. Those inquiries can go to Justin at jmorris@minnesotafury.com
The Minnesota Fury welcome you to be apart of the excitement in 2009.

Next up: College reports

Pettit Verbals, Practice Begins in 3 States

#1 posting 11.10.2008
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information

PETTIT VERBALS
Katie Pettit of Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted has verballed to Bemidji State. The 5-6 guard averaged 16.6 ppg for the 25-6 5AA champions.
Pettit played with MN Suns Fassett this summer.

Pettit is the 37th player from the 2009 Minnesota class overall to verbal and the 18th headed to D2.
Pettit is the 5th player from MN Suns Fassett to verbal. Others include
Pam January, Jamie Noonan, Kylie Gottsman, and Jasmin Mendes.

photo: Pettit in the North Tartan Meltdown in July. photo by kja

PRACTICE STARTS
Official high school practice begins today in Michigan, Wisconsin and Iowa. From the Livingston Daily.

INDIANA PREVIEWS
The Gary Post Tribune has previews of their area conferences: Duneland, Great Lakes, Greater South Shore, Independents, Northwest Crossroads, Northwestern, Porter County, plus the Others. The GPT also has preseason rankings.

COMMUNITY COLLEGE RESULTS
MN West beat Hibbing 68-58 on Saturday. Ashley Kirk (Tracy-Milroy-Balaton) had 22 points for MN West. Alia Cook (Hibbing) had 18 for Hibbing. From the Worthington Daily Globe.

Kirkwood (4-0) rolled to two wins in the John Wood Tournament in Quincy.

In Friday's opener Kirkwood set school records for points (140) and three point field goals (16) in a 140-24 victory over the University of St Louis Club Team.Six Kirkwood players scored in double figures led by Freshman Staci Gillum (Waukee, IA) with 24. Nicole Holman (Louisville, KY) added 20, McKensey Long (Carthage, IL) 18, Kari Goodchild (Van Horne, IA) 18, Jayne Strand (Ames, IA) 13 and Amanda De La Cruz (Manhattan, NY) 13.

Gillum added 10 assists and nine steals while El Sara Greer (Waterloo, IA)grabbed 12 rebounds.

In Saturday afternoons game the Eagles jumped out to a 55-16 half-time lead to beat the University of Illinois Club team 107-29. McKensey Long led with 22 points including six three point field goals. Amanda De La Cruz added 17, Andi Waugaman (Waukee, IA) 13, Alicia Wright (Urbandale, IA) 12 and Nicole Holman 10 to pace the attack.

De La Cruz led with seven assists while El Sara Greer grabbed 16 rebounds.

Kirkwood travels to Council Bluffs, Iowa on Friday and Saturday to face Northeast CC, NB and the host Iowa Western.

AAU
Metro Stars Program Director Andy Meinhardt will be holding tryouts for the top 7th graders in the metro area this Sunday (Nov 16th) at the Bloomington Jefferson Activity Center from 7-9 PM. Coach Meinhardt will be the head coach of the team. If you think you have what it takes to join the Metro Stars program please contact Coach Meinhardt for more tryout details at andymeinhardt@hotmail.com

Next up: College Reports

Where is the Book? Convention & verbals

#1 posting 10.24.2008
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information

WHERE'S THE BOOK?
Many of you have emailed asking where the recruiting guide is this year. This is the plan....First off I have a website in development. This blog format will transfer over to the website with everything you see here plus more features. Most of what you read here will be available for free on that website. There will be a separate premium space on the website for things like the book. The website should be up soon. Once that site is up the book with all the rankings and ratings will be available on line. Stay tuned.

COACHES CONVENTION
The Minnesota State Girls Basketball Coaches hold their annual fall clinic at the University of Minnesota. The event moves to Hill-Murray on Saturday.
This event is open to all coaches. Today's event starts at 9 am with the women's coaching staff at the University speaking. Also scheduled to speak will be men's coach Tubby Smith.
If you are interested in going print this form and get to Williams Arena this morning.

4 OHIO VERBALS
Here are four recent Ohio Verbals
Taylor Ware – Walnut Hills – University of Evansville. Ware is 5-9.
Sarah Hammond - West Holmes – IPFW. Hammond is a 6-2 post.
Kelsey McCoy - Sylvania Northview - Gannon University. McCoy is 6-0.
Dominique Singletary (2011) – Hamilton High – Xavier University. Singletary is a guard and averaged 11.9 ppg last year. At the end of the Cincinnati Post article.

This pushes the Ohio verbal total to 54 overall for the 2009 class, 42 for D1, and 11 for D2.
Singletary is the first from the 2011 class to verbal in Ohio.

COACHING NEWS
Le Center High School has hired veteran coach Mark Pudlitzke to take over the Girls Basketball program for the 2008-09 season. Pudlitzke was the former assistant at Belle Plaine during their glory years and the head coach at Waconia during a very successful run from 1987-90.

According to sources PACT Charter School has hired a new coach---Mark Radtke from Southwest Christian School

AAU
The Minnesota Fury are very proud to announce their 2009 16U and 15U Rosters.
16U - Head Coach Justin Morris
Name Ht. Pos. High School Class
Kika Greenlee 5-8 PG St. Louis Park 2010
Rachel Hansen 5-11 PG Minnehaha Academy 2010
Tessa Cichy 5-10 PG/W Hill-Murray 2012
Darcey Rice 5-7 G Eastview 2010
Morgan Zabel 5-11 W Northfield 2010
Emmy Eschrich 5-11 W Prior Lake 2010
Shannon O'Toole 6-0 F Wayzata 2011
Lisa Loeffler 6-2 P North St. Paul 2011
Carly Chell 6-1 P Apple Valley 2010

15U - Head Coach Nick Storm
Name Ht. Pos. High School Class
Alyssa Kerkhoff 5-7 PG NRHEG 2011
Bri McKenzie 5-4 PG Tartan 2011
Ashley Martell 5-8 G Somerset, WI 2011
Karli Solum 5-7 G Somerset, WI 2011
Erica Trabing 5-10 G/W Prior Lake 2011
Kayla Bilderback 5-10 W/F Centennial 2011
Anna Gerdes 5-11 F Maple Grove 2011
Bethany Doolittle 6-3 P Hill-Murray 2011
Megan Pold 6-1 P Prior Lake 2011

One spot remains open on each team, and the Fury Directors are currently evaluating options for those spots. If you are interested, and are a strong varsity player with goals of playing Division 1 or 2 college basketball please send email or call the coach of that team.

The Fury have come to be known as “The Fastest Rising AAU Club in Minnesota,” and are very proud of this proclamation! They feel these are the top team teams in their club’s history.

They are also filling roster spots for teams at 10U, 11U, 12U, 13U, and 14U. Interest from very talented players has been very high, so spots are going fast! Please email or call Nick or Justin if interested.
Nick Storm – nstorm@minnesotafury.com
Justin Morris – jmorris@minnesotafury.com
It is truly an exciting time to be a part of the Minnesota Fury!
www.minnesotafury.com

TOURNAMENT
16th ANNUAL MISSISSIPPI RIVER
BASKETBALL SHOOTOUT
DECEMBER 6-7, 2008
BOYS & GIRLS TRAVEL TOURNAMENT
ST. CLOUD AREA
*4 GAME GUARANTEE*
GIRLS DIVISIONS- 5th, 6th, & 9th GRADES OPEN,
7th & 8th GRADES A & B
ENTRY FEE: $200
FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:
CHRIS LEWIS
320-654-8265; MISSISSIPPIRIVERBASKETBALL@HOTMAIL.COM
Send entry fee & registration by NOVEMBER 1, 2008 to:
MISSISSIPPI RIVER BASKETBALL
1283 Stone Ridge Rd
Sauk Rapids, MN 56379

Next up: more news

Breakdown Week 1 Winners,

#1 posting 10.21.2008
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information

BREAKDOWN FALL LEAGUE
The first week of fall leagues were just completed. Here are the first week's winners of the "PPP".
The Premier Performance Player Awards
Bloomington Kennedy Girls Week 1
Premier Performance Player
*Kara Elofson, Sr, Hopkins
*Amanda Wagner, Sr, New Prague
*Hannah Asleson, Edina
Team of the Week: Hopkins Gidley
Becker Girls Week 1
Premier Performance Player
*Marissa Janning, Fr, Watertown-Mayer
*Miranda Speckel, Sr, Buffalo
Team of the Week 1: Park Center

BIG 10
MEET.....
Michigan's Carmen Reynolds a 6-0 guard from Hilliard, Ohio.

MC KEOWN SPEAKS
Northwestern women's basketball coach Joe McKeown speaks to the media.

FOR SALE...
Part of Wisconsin's Kohl Floor.

MARQUETTE MADNESS
Marquette Madness will be held on Saturday.

PREVIEW
Ohio is previewed in the Mid American Month of Madness.

TELEVISION
The Horizon League will have some games on ESPNU on Fridays.

D2
MAYHEM
Grand Valley State will hold their Start the Mayhem event on Wednesday.

COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Riverland has started practice. From the Austin Post Bulletin--at the end of the Scott Kolb column.

PRO UPDATES
Former Drake player Jill Martin scored 18 for DCU Mercy in a 73-59 win over Bausch & Lomb in Ireland.

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

AAU
Andy Meinhardt is looking for the top 7th graders in the metro area to play on the Metro Stars 12U team that he will be coaching for the 2009 AAU season. If interested please contact him at andymeinhardt@hotmail.com. Metro Stars program info can be found at www.mnmetrostars.com

COMMUNITY HOOPS NEWS
1 - Community Hoops Productions will be the official home for all audio podcast of Hopkins girls basketball games on the Internet. Tip off is at Hamline in November.
2 - Tony Geer, executive director of Community Hoops Productions will be having hernia surgery on November 6th. The volunteer staff at CHP wishes him well during his recovery.
3 - Community Hoops Productions will be at the Big Ten Media day to interview the coaches and players in attendance on October 26th. CHP will then post those interviews over the following week at www.communityhoops.com.

Next up: tomorrow or when news breaks.

Grayson, Tucker Verbal; Belles Toll; WI Showcase Recap

#1 posting 9.18.2008
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information

GRAYSON VERBALS
Olivia Grayson of Chapelle has verballed Tulane. The 5-7 guard averaged 16.2 ppg last season when she was named the Class 5A All-State Outstanding Player. From the New Orleans Times-Picayune.

Grayson is the 1st verbal from Louisiana 2009 class that has come across my desk.

TUCKER VERBALS
Sami Tucker of East Lansing has verballed UW Milwaukee. The 5-11 forward averaged 12 points per game last year and was honorable mention in Class A. From the Lansing State Journal.

Tucker is the 12th player in the Michigan 2009 class to verbal and the 10th player headed to a D1 program.

GOING PRO
South Dakota State's Andrea Verdegan (Flambeau, WI) has signed a pro contract with Celetris Donar in the Netherlands.

INJURED
Tanisha Smith of the Gophers has injured her Achilles heel and will be out for the year. From the StarTribune.

WISCONSIN PREP SHOWCASE RECAP
The Wisconsin Prep Showcase is recapped with interviews and video. Sarah Eichler of Grafton and Taylor Wurtz of Ripon were co MVPs.

DEPTH & BALANCE
Rethinking Basketball looks at depth and balance as the WNBA starts their postseason.

GIVING BACK
Grand Valley State helped with a Habitat for Humanity project last weekend.

FOR WHOM THE BELLES TOLL
The West Liberty Belles will be no more. The girls teams are changing their name to the Comets just like the boys. From the Iowa City Press Citizen and Cedar Rapids Gazette.

PARTICIPATION
Michigan is 6th in nationwide high school participation. From the Detroit Free Press.

FALL LEAGUE
Here is the Standings and results in the Roosevelt Fall League. Hopkins is alone on top after beating Roosevelt last week 51-27. There is one more regular season round of games. The Playoffs start the next weekend.

AAU TRYOUTS
The Minnesota Metro Stars will be holding their second round of tryouts for their 16U Black and White teams this Sunday at the Bloomington Jefferson Activity Center from 6:30-8:30. If you missed the first tryout you can still come to the second one and try to earn a spot on one of the teams. More information can be found at www.mnmetrostars.com

Next up: tomorrow unless news breaks.

Re-Verbal, Mullins Obituary, Nike National Video

#1 posting 9.10.2008
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information

RE-VERBAL
Sklyer Gick of Benton Central, Indiana is headed to Valparaiso University. Gick previously committed to attend Northwestern but had the scholarship offer pulled from her by the new Northwestern coaching staff a la Kara Elofson.
Gick averaged 15.1 ppg for the 14-7 BC team last year
Gick is the 20th player from the 2009 Indiana class to verbal and the 18th headed to a D1 program.
From the Munster Times.

COACHING NEWS
Darryl Ladue, the new Williston girls basketball coach, has plans to change the direction. From the Williston Herald.

Former South Dakota coach Chad Lavin is coaching the 8th grade boys in Vermillion, SD. From KELO.

New Wisconsin Assistant Kathi Bennett blogs on her Madison experience.

OBITUARY
Former Caledonia girls basketball coach Terry Mullins died on Sunday. His biggest win came in 1992 when they beat undefeated #1 Rochester Lourdes 48-47. Mullins, 245-42 in his career, is the Minnesota girls basketball coaches Hall of Fame. From the Rochester Post Bulletin.

PLAYER FEATURE
Iowa State's Nicky Wieben is featured in the weekly Cyclone blog.

BIG TEN
The Big 10 Network will expand video offerings.

SCHEDULE
Montana State has released their 2008-09 schedule. From KXMB.

TRYOUTS
Davenport will hold open tryouts on September 16. The Panthers were 28-6 last year.

AAU NEWS
Nike Nationals 2008 was another for the record books. The level of competition was the best in the nation as you will see in this You Tube video. (you will see some NT players if you pay attention). I asked Coach/Director Bill Larson of North Tartan about the last two years and the experience of this particular tournament... His response:

"As an individual and a club we are blessed to be part of the Nike Family.With out a doubt our kids and coaches get an overwhelming experience from April through July. This level of basketball is why our players that graduate from the program excel at the next level. When you play, on average, 17-20 of the top 25 kids in the nation every summer... you are prepared for anything. As for Nike Nationals... 24 teams... 400 colleges...it is the highest level a team can possibly play at. North Tartan is blessed to be one of the 24 youth clubs".

When I asked him about Nike Nationals 2009 in Augusta... His response:

"I just hope the cameraman can keep up with the speed of the game..."

Next up: tomorrow

Corbin Verbals, Roosevelt Standings, Defense

#1 posting 9.8.2008
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information

CORBIN VERBALS
Jasmin Corbin of Millard West has verballed Creighton. The 5-6 guard averaged 11 ppg for the 24-2 Wildcats last season.
Corbin played with Pinnacle Bank Nebraska this past summer.
Corbin is the 4th player from the 2009 Nebraska class to verbal and 4th headed to a D1 program.

TRANSFER
Samirah Sa' id 6-0 post player has transferred to Minneapolis Roosevelt. Sa'id averaged 4.3 ppg at Minneapolis Washburn last season. The Millers were 11-16 last year.

SMITH'S POSTING UP
Illinois' Jenna Smith (Bloomington Kennedy) posts up for the last time this summer.

MEASURING DEFENSE
Rethinking Basketball looks at the MVP race in the WNBA and one factor they examine is how to measure defense.

FALL LEAGUE
Here are the standings at the Minneapolis Roosevelt fall League after week #2
1. Roosevelt 4-0
1. Hopkins 4-0
3. 43 Hoops 3-1
3. Burnsville 3-1
5. Rascals 2-2
6. St. Paul Central 1-1
7. South 1-3
8. Totino Grace 1-3
9. Columbia Heights 0-4
10. St. Paul Johnson 0-4

AAU TRYOUTS
Metro Stars 16U Black and White reminder for all who feel they are ready to take their game to the next level. Tryouts will be held on Sept 14 and 21st. Trying out for the Metro Stars is also a great way to play highly competitive basketball prior to the fall NCAA exposure weekend. It is recommended that you send in your registration form prior to tryouts. Tryout information is found on the Minnesota Metro Stars website.

Next up: tomorrow unless news breaks.

College Basketball in Canada, Wiese Moves to MetroStars

#1 posting 8.31.2008
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information

CLINIC
The 10th Annual Knights Basketball Coaching Academy will be held at Bloomfield Hills Lahser in Michigan on Saturday, September 13. Speakers will include Grosse Pointe North's girls basketball coach Gary Bennett, Oakland University's men's coach Greg Kampe, and U Detroit's men's coach Ray McCallum. From Hometown Life.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT IN CANADA
Even though it is August, Baylor and LSU are involved in an international tournament in Vancouver. Baylor beat Simon Fraser 86-67. LSU beat British Columbia 74-46. Earlier LSU beat Trinity Western 81-27. From the Province.

COACHING NEWS
Ellen B. Wiese (Ebwiese@aol.com) has been added to the coaching staff of the Minnesota Metro Stars where she will serve as head coach of the 15U team in 2009. This will be Coach Wiese's first season with the Metro Stars. She started coaching AAU teams in 2001, the last two years of which she took her teams to AAU Nationals in Salem, VA, in 2007, and Kings Island, Ohio this past summer. Last season's team finished second in the 15U division at the Minnesota AAU State Championship. Coach Wiese is also the Junior Varsity head coach at Maple Grove High School, coming off a very successful winning season. Coach Wiese is a former college basketball player who brings a great love for the game and a passion to inspire confidence in the girls. She is an attorney with her own law practice.

Next up: tomorrow

AAU Basketball, Recruiting Trail, Renaissance Three

#2 posting 7.27.2008
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information

AAU BASKETBALL
The Eau Claire Leader Telegram continues there look at summer basketball. Today AAU basketball is examined---it is not just for D1 players anymore. Those that want to make their high school team are increasingly turning to the summer AAU teams. Most of the quotes are from boys players and teams, but it applies to girls as well.
Also the ECLT looks at the recruiting trail college coaches travel.

BIG THREE
Detroit Renaissance has three players (Lorreal Jones, Arrice Bryant and Asia Boyd ) that have stepped up their game this summer. From the Detroit Free Press.

18U NATIONAL TEAM
The USA beat Brazil Saturday 96-51. They Americans now move to the Gold medal game.
Future Buckeye Samantha Prahalis had 12 points in the USA 18u National team 116-36 win over Puerto Rico in the FIBA Tournament in Argentina.
Marquette coach Terri Mitchell posts her 6th blog on the experience.

POLICE BLOTTER
University of Louisiana-Monroe women's basketball player Regena Jackson was arrested early Saturday morning and dismissed from school after a fight on campus that involved gunfire. From the Monroe Star News.

Next up: later today from the Meltdown. It is safe for shorts

12u AAU Champs, UMM Six, PG Perceptions

#2 posting 7.12.2008
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information

12U NATIONALS
The Georgia Ice beat rival the Georgia Pistons 50-34. Former NBA player Antonio Davis coached his daughter Kaela on the Ice. From the Rochester Post Bulletin.
KAAL looks at the NBA connections with Davis and Orlando Edge Red coach Dee Brown.

18 NATIONAL TEAM
Marquette coach Terri Mitchell is assisting with the 18u USA national team. Mitchell blogs about day 1.

COLLEGE DECISIONS
Here are six players headed to UM Morris to play basketball:
Jenny Noordmans, Hancock
Mackenzie Esson, Austin
Natalie Thomas, Champlin Park
Kaila Lindsay, Becker
Nikki Washek, NDSCS ---Battle Lake, she has two years left
Stephanie Roggenbuck, NDSCS---Osakis, she will have three years left

Nebraska Wesleyan has signed 8 players for the upcoming year. From the Omaha World Herald.

TRANSFER
Kathryn Hester has transfered from Miami, FL to St. Louis. The 6-2 center played her high school ball at Newton-Conover, North Carolina.

COACHING NEWS
Deborah "Do" Stevens has been hired as the girls basketball coach at Burton Bentley in Michigan.

POINT GUARDS
Brian McCormick looks at Perception and Cognitive ability for point guards.

Next up: when news breaks

Coaches Cleared, Summer Work

#2 posting 7.9.2008
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information

COACHING NEWS
Hankinson girls basketball coaches Shawn Gravalin and Mike Loll have been cleared of wrongdoing again. This is a quote from the report that was printed in the Fargo Forum

Part of Sanstead’s report read: “Through this investigation it has become readily apparent that the Geffre family dislikes the girls basketball coaching staff and, in particular, Coach Gravalin. The source of this dislike appears to be the fact that Coach Gravalin does not treat Casey and Cody Geffre as the stars they and their parents believe them to be.”

Jonelle Streed has been hired as an assistant at Miami of Ohio. Streed went to high school at Cambridge-Isanti and played her college ball at St. Cloud State. Recently she was an assistant at Arizona.

GOPHER TRIP
The Minnesota Daily looks at the women's basketball trip to Italy. Boosters will be footing some of the bill.

MORE 12U AAU NEWS
The Rochester Shock lost to a team from Missouri 53-42 ending their AAU tournament. From KAAL (plus video).

Former NBA player Dee Brown is coaching Orlando Edge Red.
You can go to the 12U AAU games in Rochester Friday free. From the Rochester Post Bulletin.

NORTH DAKOTA CHAMPS IN HAWAII
Team North Dakota won the King Kamehameha tournament in Hawaii last week. Here is a more detailed look at the team in the Wahpeton Daily News.

SUMMER WORK
Here is a report from the Beloit Daily News on how four players are working on their game this summer. Here are the four players:
Courtney Crouse, Beloit Turner
Liz Althoff, Clinton
Kristen Ruchti, Brodhead
Jordyn Courier, Big Foot

BRAUN
Jamie Braun has been named one of the 20 scholar athlete Hoosiers to watch (in the entire athletic program). Braun is from Marshfield, Wisconsin.

MOSMAN
Shellie Mosman of Iowa State is also busy this summer interning with an accounting firm. Mosman is from Carroll, IA.

Next up: one more tour of the news

Out & About: MN Stars 12/MN Suns 12

#3 posting 7.8.2008
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information

12U AAU NATIONAL TOURNAMENT
championship play back round
Rochester, Mayo Civic Arena
MN STARS 52, MN SUNS 50

The Minnesota Stars Farview squad eliminated the Minnesota Suns from the national AAU title chase by crashing the boards hard. The Stars scored 19 points on second chancers. They trailed 45-41 with 4:55 left. #22 (not identified in the program) scored three points, one on a free throw, and then after missing the second, scored after Allina Star got the rebound.

I went to this game because it was a national tournament in Rochester, it was an afternoon game and it featured two Minnesota teams. I hadn't seen the Suns yet. I open the spring/summer season with a look at the Stars. Looking at the websites the Suns were without two players at 6-2 and 5-11. They needed their help on the glass in this game. Unfortunately the Stars don't have their full roster in the $5 program they sell or on their own website. So some players that did well will be known as unknown.

This game was close the whole time. Neither team led by more than six. The first half featured six ties including halftime at 24 all. The Suns scored early with four of their first six possessions and led 8-6. The Suns then had a 1/10 sequence. The Stars edged in front 10-8 when the Suns went on an 8-0 run to lead 16-10. It was the Stars turn with an 11 possession drought. The Stars caught fire later with a 5/7 run to tie the game up at 24.

Just like the first half the second was tight. Again there were six ties. The Stars had their biggest lead early at 33-28. Angie Davison tied the game up at 36 with a three. The Suns led 40-36 when the Stars scored four points on one possession. Iyanna Turner scored the basket on an &1 situation, but missed the free throw. As they did all day the Stars got the second chance and #22 scored to tie it up. Again the Suns edged up 45-41. The Stars tied it again. The Suns scored on three of four possessions with Kayla Schmidt scoring two straight baskets. Her final basket made it Suns 50-49. That set up the final Suns possession with #22 making the free throw and winning basket after Starr got the offensive rebound. Schmidt had a last shot for the tie but it didn't drop. The loss eliminated the Suns from the playback round.

Later in the day the Stars were eliminated by the Illinois Wizards.

Both teams played zone with the Suns using 1/2/2; and the Stars 2/1/2.

You can see the entire MN Stars vs MN Suns 12u photo gallery at kevinanderson.photostockplus.com.

key: player, school, points, possessions, pp100, floor %
MN STARS
STARTERS
Adrianna Papagiannopoulos 2, 6, 33.3, .167
Allina Starr 13, 15, 86.7, .400 a workhorse on the boards. strong upper body, relentless.
#22 Unknown 15, 13, 115.4, .538 perimeter, liked to score off the drive.
#13 unknown 10, 14, 71.4, .286 point guard. quick
Breeyana Brittain 0, 0, 0.0, .000 jumped center, but didn't play that much
BENCH
Annamarie Schoeben 2, 4, 50.0, .250
Ifeoma Odor 3, 4, 75.0, .500
Sierra Leggett 0, 4, 0.0, .000
Ta'kendra Elbert 4, 4, 100.0, .500 hit a key corner shot to cut the margin late.
Iyanna Turner 3, 4, 75.0, .250 rugged inside banger

MN SUNS
STARTERS
Kyla Schmidt, Maple Grove 12, 10, 120.0, .600 post. scored a couple on press lay ups
Angie Davison, Maple Grove 10, 18, 55.6, .278 perimeter. sees the floor.
Kelly Olzenak, Maple Grove 5, 7, 71.4, .286 left handed 3 point shooter
Claire Thomas, Roseville 4, 5, 80.0, .400 guard
Allison Cordes, Roseville 2, 6, 33.3, .167 perimeter
BENCH
Anuli Okonkwo, Maple Grove 8, 10, 80.0, .300 was the main rebounder for the Suns. on offense will drive.
Erin Stromen, Woodbury 4, 4, 100.0, .500
Courtney Schiffler, Woodbury 3, 6, 50.0, .333
Jordan Hansen, St. Michael-Albertville 2, 3, 66.7, .333

TRENCH PLAYER
Allina Starr double double with D stops, plus kept the ball alive with offensive boards all day

BY THE NUMBERS
Stars 52, 68, 76.5, .353
Suns 50, 69, 72.5, .348
made 3s/&1s: Stars 2/0, Suns 1/1
ftm/fta-ft%: Suns 10/15-.667; Stars 8/17-.471
bench: Suns 17, Stars 12

DEFENSIVE WRAPS
MN STARS
Allina Star 11
#13 unknown 10
#22 unknown 5
Adrianna Papagiannopoulos 4
Breeyana Brittain 2
Iyanna Turner 2
Annamarie Schoeben 2
Ifeoma Odor 1
Sierra Leggett 1
Ta'kendra Elbert 1
totals: 39

MN SUNS
Anuli Okonkwo 7
Angie Davison 6
Allison Cordes 5
Courtney Schiffler 5
Kyla Schmidt 4
Claire Thomas 4
Erin Strommen 3
Kelly Olzenak 1
Jordan Hansen 1
totals: 36

ASSISTS
MN STARS
#13 unknown 5
Allina Starr 4
Adrianna Papagiannopoulos 3
Ta'kendra Elbert 2
#22 unknown 1
Annamarie Schoeben 1
totals: 16

MN SUNS
Angie Davison 7
Jordan Hansen 3
Kelly Olzenak 2
Anuli Okonkwo 2
Claire Thomas 1
Allison Cordes 1
Courtney Schiffler 1
totals: 17

The Beginning of the End, 12u AAU, Recruiting Tips, Fall League

#1 posting 7.7.2008
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information

END OF THE TRAIL
The IBCA Select Red Team went 2-0 on the first day (July 6th) of the Nike End of the Trail in Portland Oregon. They opened Silver bracket play with a 67-42 victory over YEA All-Stars to advance to the second round of the tournament. They played the coveted exhibition game (given to top teams in the tournament) at 8 pm and won 67-64 against Columbia Cascades, a talented team from the state of Washington. The IBCA Select Red team plays tomorrow morning vs. Arizona Silver Streaks at 11:40 a.m.

Also yesterday
Michigan's Finest beat Evergreen Express (Platinum)
Misson Rec Blue beat IBCA Select White (Diamond)
North Tartan Larson beat Pacific Fury Black (Diamond)
North Tartan 15 beat Redondo Hawks (Gold)
Metro Stars Black beat Mercadel Hoops (Gold)

12u AAU
In the final round of pool play on Sunday:
The GA Pistols Gold beat the Rochester Shock 62-45. The Shock finished pool play 0-3.
The Minnesota Stars beat Indy Wildcats Attack 53-52 and the NE/MA Lady Predators 48-44. The Stars finished pool play 3-0.
The Minnesota Suns beat New Orleans Domino's 45-32 and lost to Arkansas Mavericks Love 58-34. The Suns finished pool play 2-1.
Brackets start today.

ATLANTA TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS
NC Heat, CSS Bison, and All Iowa Attack are all involved in the Atlanta Tournament of Champions which begins today. Here is the signature B schedule (with NC Heat and CSS Bison), and the signature A schedule (All Iowa Attack).

RECRUITING TIPS
Here are 17 different articles on how to choose a college, how to noticed, tips, and questions to ask from Patosha Jeffrey.

Carissa Wolyniec of DeLaSalle has her own website. It features video, pictures and a blog. This is another way to grab some attention.

AWARDS
Lindsey Pettit of Portland, Michigan is the female athlete of the year in the Lansing State Journal.

Rachel Fritz of Potosi, Wisconsin is a member of the Dubuque Telegraph Herald All-Area Academic Athletic Team.

Rachel Folcik of Ferris State was one of three athletes named the Dean Davenport "Bulldog of the Year" award.

FALL LEAGUE
BREAKDOWN FALL LEAGUE INFO
BECKER AND LAKEVILLE SOUTH

The Breakdown appreciated all the feedback from last year and are making some minor improvements to an already great league. We will be adding about 5 more minutes between games so teams can get to their respective courts. We also have improved our scheduling and will assure all teams a very organized format of games.

The Breakdown Fall League is the State's most popular league because:

* Each team plays two games back to back
* Low admission fees
* All games at ONE site for the duration of the WHOLE league.
* Team Rate, no individual rate (495$ per team)
* Multiple Team Rate discounts (425$ per team)
* Varsity, JV and 9th grade divisions
* Sanctioned Officials
* Team divisions set to provide the best matchups and competition level
* EACH player receives a Breakdown T-Shirt
* A later start so players can participate in Fall Sports with less disruptions
* All players will receive a discount on the Breakdown Basketball Preview Book for the 2008-2009 season
* Full service website for all communication and league schedule
* Pictures and results posted on Breakdown's website

Dates:
Oct 19,26, and Nov 2,9,16

Here is list of some of the teams who competed in the Breakdown Girls Fall Leagues last Year:

Becker (60 Teams) :Rogers, Champlin Park, Elk River, Becker, Albany, STMA, Moorhead, Blaine, Princeton, Rockford, N. St. Paul, Howard Lake-Waverly, Staples-Motley, Watertown-Mayer, Buffalo, Apollo, Spring Lake Park, Cambridge-Isanti, PACT, Zimmerman, Sauk Rapids, Big Lake, Monticello, Mora, Anoka, Waconia, Norwood-Young America.

Lakeville South Girls (58 Teams): Park of Cottage Grove, Eastview, Eden Prairie, Rosemount, Lakeville North, Burnsville, Roseville, Totino Grace, Chaska, Tartan, Mpls South, Lakeville South, Kennedy, Red Wing, Shakopee, Blake, Richfield, Holy Family, Prior Lake, New Prague, Farmington, Plainview Elgin Millville, Rochester Lourdes, Rochester Century, Eden Prairie, Woodbury.

We have received over 65 confirmed responses from teams who played last year and NEW teams wanting to register this year at Lakeville South. The Becker location has filled the last 4 years and will certainly do so again. To secure your spot, registration can start any time.

Next up: tomorrow unless news breaks.

12u AAU Tournament, PG Personailty

#1 posting 7.5.2008
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information

12U AAU
Gopher Katie Ohm was the torchbearer for the opening ceremonies in Rochester for the 12u AAU girls basketball tournament and is interviewed by KAAL.

The Rochester Shock play at 10:30 vs. MP-P.A.L. Diamonds. At 4:30 they play GA Pistols Gold.

The Minnesota Stars play Tennessee Elite at 1:30.

The Minnesota Suns play SE/AL-Southern Starz at 3.

POINT GUARD PERSONALITY
Brian McCormick writes about the personality of a point guard. Pay attention to paragraph #13.

DEATH OF A CONFERENCE
The Eastern Iowa Hawkeye Conference is no more. Enrollment differences finished off the conference. From the Iowa City Citizen Press.

Next up: tomorrow

More AAU, Michigan Verbal, Brewster Returns

#2 posting 7.4.2008
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information

MORE AAU
12s
Here are the 12u schedules--Pools A-D; pools E-H; pools I-L
The Rochester Shock is in pool A; MN Suns are in pool B; MN Stars are in pool C.
The All Iowa Attack is in pool G
The ABC Knights of Wisconsin are in pool I.

11s
The Minnesota Stars 11s and St. Paul Central played in the 11u AAU tournament, along with All Iowa Attack, ABC Knights, and the Michigan Monarchs.
SE TN Glory beat the MN Stars 51-43 in bracket play. They were the only team to make it to the bracket side. The Stars then lost to the Tulsa Titans 68-47 in the play back round.

SCHEDULES
Metro State of Denver has released their 2008-09 schedule. Alyssa Benson of Minnetonka plays with Metro State. They will be at Concordia St. Paul on November 21 and 22.

NORTHERN SUN 14
The Northern Sun is now officially a 14 team league.

SIGNING
American University has added Janelle McDonald a 6-0 forward from Middleburg Notre Dame Academy, Virginia.

VERBAL
Dayeesha Hollins of Cincinnati Winton Woods has verballed Michigan. The 2009 point guard is 5-7. Hollins averaged 11.7 ppg last year. From the JJ Huddle website.

COACHING NEWS
As reported before Travis Brewster will return to be the new assistant coach at North Dakota. From the Grand Forks Herald.

Next up: tomorrow morning

12u AAU Tournament, East Ridge, Traveling vs HS

#1 posting 7.4.2008
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information

AAU
The 12u AAU Nationals tip off Saturday in Rochester, Minnesota. Three Minnesota teams will take part: the Minnesota Suns, the Minnesota Stars and the Rochester Shock. Katie Ohm will be a torch runner. From the Rochester Post Bulletin.

EAST RIDGE
The South Washington County Bulletin looks at the new school coming in 2009--the East Ridge Raptors. The SWCB has a Q&A including transfer issues.

SUMMER LEAGUES
Little Wound, South Dakota has been busy this summer with an 18-6 record after all their leagues and camps this summer. From the Lakota Country Times.

TRAVELING VS HIGH SCHOOL
The Quad City Times looks at elite traveling teams, specialization and high school sports.

HIGH GAS=DOUBLEHEADERS
Cornell, Wisconsin will have more double headers (boy/girl) this season due to high gas prices. From the Chippewa Falls Herald.

SCHEDULES
South Dakota State has released their 2008-09 schedule. They are at Minnesota on Dec 9.

Next up: more news

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY

Loberg's Ankle, More AAU Reports, Sports in Trouble

#1 posting 5.14.2008
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information

KATIE LOBERG
On Sunday in the third place game in the Minnesota State AAU tournament Katie Loberg tweaked her ankle. It didn't slow her down as she won the high jump at 5-3 in the Mississippi 8 track meet. From the Elk River Star News.

MORE AAU REPORTS
Here is a photo of the 15u Minnesota State Champion North Tartan

Back Row -Gabby Boever, Hannah Strop, Kayla Hirt, Laura Melquist, Rachel Banham, Ameshia Kearney,
Front Row -Katy Winge, Morgan Van Riper-Rose, Sari Noga
not pictured Angela Christianson

Everybody scored in the championship game. Sari Noga led NT15 with 9 points. Laura Melquist and Kayla Hirt each had 8 points.

13
The North Tartan 13U team (Steck) took third in the state AAU tournament.
NT Steck upset the #3 seed MN Suns in pool play by 16 points. The first game out of pool play had them facing MN Stars Anderson and NTS won by 11. NT Steck lost to North Tartan 13U (Hedstrom) by six in the semi-finals. In the third place game NTS beat Metro Stars-Grace to finish 3rd.

HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS IN TROUBLE
Here is the StarTribune's second part in their series of High School Sports in trouble. Today they are looking at Crosby-Ironton where they may cut sports all together.
Neighboring states are facing issues like high costs due to rising fuel prices.

TRANSFER
Chelsea Buher of Lawrenceville, Ill, will transfer from Illinois to Indiana State. Buher a 5-11 guard, played in 28 games for Illinois as a freshman last year. She averaged 26.8 ppg. as a high school senior, establishing school records in points (2,208), career rebounds (951) and career blocks (111). She will have to sit out this season but will have three years of eligibility.

Next up: More news
Thanks readers for all the help, information and patience with the site being blocked, moved, and then back home again. I appreciate the support.

More Tournament News, SD AA All State

#2 posting 4.16.2008
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information

NORTH DAKOTA REPORTS
Barb Metcalf is the new coach at West Fargo. Here is a detailed story from the West Fargo Pioneer.

SOUTH DAKOTA REPORTS
The AA All State list is ruled by juniors. From the Rapid City Journal.

MORE MINNESOTA REPORTS
ALL CONFERENCE
Here is the West Central South All Conference list
Emily Roering, Minnewaska 11 conference MVP
Cassie Jacobs, Minnewaska 11
Amie Chan, Minnewaska 12
Emily Balfany, Yellow Medicine East 12
Anne Jepson, Yellow Medicine East 12
Kayla Dahlmann, ACGC 11
Lauren Kinzler, ACGC 10
Liberty Slinden, ACGC 11
Abby Fragodt, Benson 10
Courtney Frank, Benson 12
Hannah Wenaas, Montevideo 12
Beka Schwendemann, Montevideo 10
Megan Dierks, Morris 11
Andrea Rheingans, LQPV 11
Micaela Erickson, LQPV 10
Honorable Mention
Brittany Mensing, Minnewaska 11
Macy McKay, Yellow Medicine East 11
Kathy Lamecker, ACGC 12
Keri Mikkelson, Benson 12
Taylor Skoglund, Montevideo 12
Stef Strobel, Morris 11
Whitley Strei, LQPV 11
Carrie Hebrink, BOLD 12

MORE WEEKEND TOURNAMENT REPORTS
The Mpls Lady Cats 14U won the 17U MYAS bracket at Eastview this past weekend and they looked pretty good, considering its their first tournament back together. They beat the South Dakota Mustangs in the first game 41-19, 43 Hoops 40-34 in the second game and Eagan 41-29 for the championship.
Brianna Williams (Hopkins), Aubrey Davis (Bloomington Kennedy) and Tacita Gonzales (St. Paul Johnson) played extremely well and don't look like they've missed a beat from March using tremendous pressure defense. Kaylani Edwards (Kennedy) looked pretty good considering she's coming off the severe ankle sprain in February and Sarina Baker (DeLaSalle) looked pretty good coming off her severe ankle injury with lots of boards from both.

TOURNAMENT COMING
The Minnesota Fury will hosting the state qualifier on April 25-27 at Bloomington Kennedy for the 14s through the 19s.

SHOOTING CLINIC
Here is a press release from Tom Nordland,
THE GAME NEEDS THIS
As you might have noticed from the Memphis breakdown in the NCAA Finals, poor to mediocre shooting is still rampant. I have an answer to the shooting woes, and it came about by my learning to shoot as a junior high and high school player in Minneapolis, then getting all the success I had, and then going to college at Stanford on a basketball scholarship and promptly losing my shot in the first week of practice. Looking back I can see I was a ”one-trick” pony with just my shot -- no clue as to how to play defense [we played zone for all those years], pass, set screens, etc. -- so when I started getting shots blocked and had to learn to work off the dribble and use picks and screens, I was lost. My shot disappeared for 32 years. When it came back, out of the blue in 1989, I was able to figure it out and now I can teach the skill like few others. I’ve also had great training in the art of coaching, so I now offer both a technique for great shooting and a way to learn and coach it. My gift is being able to “see” what’s needed, the essence of shooting. (My background can be read on my website)

Next up: College Reports

Spring Basketball Starts This Weekend, More All Area Teams

#1 posting 3.28.2008
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information

MINNESOTA
SPRING BASKETBALL START
The spring/summer season will get underway tomorrow. The first MYAS tournaments begin on Saturday at Maple Grove HS, and Farmington MS. Both involve 14u/8th grade teams.
On Sunday there will be games at Highview MS in New Brighton (16u) plus Farmington MS.

I have also moved the AAU rosters/websites up and moved the winter/high school seasons down on the links on the right.

SEASON WRAPS
Mabel-Canton has their season wrapped up in the Mabel-Harmony News Record.

IOWA
The big event this weekend is the Iowa State AAU tournament at Des Moines Hoover.
ALL STATE
The Iowa Girls Basketball Coaches have released their All State teams. From the Marshalltown Times Republican.

ALL METRO
The Sioux City Journal has listed their girls basketball All Metro Team.

MICHIGAN
ALL COUNTY
Morgan Albert, a Brighton, Michigan junior, was named player of the year in the Livingston Daily Press & Argus.

WISCONSIN
ALL CONFERENCE
The Southern Trailways has released their girls basketball All conference team. Junior Shyla Kuehl of Hustisford has been named player of the year. From the Beaver Dam Daily Citizen.

SOUTH DAKOTA
ALL STAR GAME
Kristi Ryan of Highmore was the MVP in the Northeast All Star game. From the Aberdeen American News.

Next up: college reports

North Tartan Larson Adds Power Trio

#1 posting 1.31.2008
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information

MINNESOTA REPORTS
AAU NEWS
North Tartan Larson has their line up set for the Junior Eligible team this year. It features three players that can grab the rim. NTL will add a pair of All Iowa Attack players--Amanda Zimmerman and Chelsea Poppens.
Zimmerman is a 6-2 forward from Ballard, IA. Ballard is #9 in the MaxPreps latest Iowa ranking. She made a verbal to Iowa State before ever stepping on the high school court as a freshman. She is averaging 18.4 ppg this year. Zimmerman was named to the girlsbasketball recruit endo of the summer 2007 3rd team. She runs the floor and is a lefty.
Poppens is a 6-3 center from Aplington-Parkersburg. She is averaging 13.6 ppg. Poppens was named to the girlsbasketball recruit end of the summer 2007 2nd team. She runs the floor, gets rebounds, and creates space.
Also Sam Ostarello of Stanley County, SD will join the squad. She is a 6-2 forward. She made a verbal to Purdue last summer and this is her first AAU team she will play for. She turned plenty of heads at the North Tartan Showcase event in September.
The Minnesota players on the roster include:
Katie Loberg of Princeton, a 6-4 center who has made a verbal to the Gophers.
Shakila Boler of Bloomington Kennedy a 5-9 guard who also has made a verbal to the Gophers.
Kelsey Florian of Roseville
Megan Lauck of Mounds View
Suriya McGuire of Minneapolis Roosevelt
Taylor Young of Edina
Jennifer Dowd of Rogers
Rey Robinson of Becker
Jessie Althoff of Becker
These roster moves are like an earthquake. All of these moves will reshape the races in two states for sure and reverberate throughout the region.
North Tartan Larson will hit three huge events this summer: Boo Williams in the spring, End of the Trail in early July and Nike Nationals in the end of July. NTL is one of 24 teams to be invited to the event.

COACHING NEWS
Rochester Lourdes girls basketball coach Myron Glass who recently picked up career win #600 and long time assistant Mike Carroll, who recently announced his retirement, will be honored at halftime of the Winona Cotter game on Friday. From the Rochester Post Bulletin.

DEFENSE IS THE FOCUS
New Prague relies on a defense attitude for their success. From the StarTribune.

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT
Centennial with their practice and New Life with their lessons are also mention in the StarTribune (scroll down).

PERFECT START
Battle Lake is 16-0 in class A. From the Fargo Forum.

1000 POINTS
Megan Eul of Rosemount reached the 1000 point mark against Rochester Mayo last week. From the Rosemount Town Pages.
Julianne Mitchell of Minneapolis Edison went over the 1000 point mark against Mpls Roosevelt on Tuesday. Mitchell had 342 points at St. Paul Arlington as a 9th grader. She has 579 this year at Edison this year as a senior. That equals to 921, so 79 points are missing somewhere. Mitchell did not play as a sophomore or junior so the achievement is extremely rare.

Next up: North Dakota reports