Fort Morgan Boys Basketball Camp June 23-26

The Fort Morgan Boys Basketball Camp for those in grades 1-7 will be held June 23-26. 1st-4th grade will go from 8-10am, 5-7 from 10:30am-12:30pm. Cost is $30. All campers will receive 8 hours of grade level appropriate instruction, and a camp t-shirt. For any questions contact Fort Morgan head basketball coach Chad Unrein at 970-380-8104.

City of Sterling Taking Registration for 3 on 3 Basketball League

***Press Release***

A “NEW City of Sterling Recreation Division $50 League is being offered, Co-Rec “Open” and Men’s “Open” Summer 3 on 3 Basketball League registrations will be taken through May 28th, 2014. Participants must register online at www.teamsideline.com/sterling or in person at Sterling Recreation Center and pay for the league when they register. PHONE REGISTRATIONS ARE NOT ACCEPTED!  The fee is $50.00 for an eight game league. The League will run similar to Wallyball/Raquetball Leagues, officiating your own games and reporting scores to Recreation Division.  League play begins the week of June 1st, through August 1st, 2014.

Sterling's Cody Legg to compete in Denver Nuggets Basketball Skills Challenge State Competition

The Denver Nuggets Basketball Skills Challenge is a basketball competition that allows youngsters to showcase their basketball talents. Participant scores were based on timed shooting, passing accuracy, and their speed dribbling through an obstacle course!

Cody Legg represents Sterling after placing first in the Denver Nuggets Basketball Skills Challenge Sectional Competition in the 11/12 year old division. Cody is the son of Scott and Carol Legg. He competed against athletes from the front range. The sectionals were held at Windsor Community Center on Sunday, February 23rd, 2014.

Prior to the Nuggets game on Saturday, April 12, 2014, Cody will compete in the State Championship competition, along with the top boys and girls from each age division from sectional competition; He also received four tickets and will stay to watch the Nuggets play against Utah Jazz.

Harlem Ambassadors Basketball Show March 17 in Fort Morgan

***Press Release***

Hoops and hilarity are coming to Fort Morgan on March 17, 2014 when our very own local challengers, the Fort Morgan Rotary Roundballers, take on the Harlem Ambassadors in a comedy basketball show the whole family will enjoy. The show starts at 7:00 p.m. at Fort Morgan High School Gymnasium.

Proceeds from the event benefit the Fort Morgan Rotary Club and will be used to youth and community projects.

The Harlem Ambassadors offer a unique brand of Harlem-style basketball, featuring high-flying slam dunks, dazzling ball-handling tricks, hilarious comedy routines, music, dancing and games for the kids.

“At our shows, we want the kids to know that they’re part of our team too,” Coach Ladè Majic said. “We invite as many kids as we can to come sit on the bench, have a front row seat during the show, and get involved in all of the fun stuff we do.”

"We have scoured Morgan County for skilled, and sometimes unskilled, players to take on the powerful Ambassadors," said a spokesperson for the Roundballers. "Come to the game and cheer on our enthusiastic local talent."

The Harlem Ambassadors have performed more than 2,400 professional comedy basketball games as fundraising and community entertainment events for non-profit organizations, the U.S. military and community service groups since 1998. These events have helped raise over $9 million for communities in 50 states and 20 countries. The Ambassadors have appeared at Pearl Harbor, Bosnia, Kosovo, Sarejevo, Korea, Japan, the Marshall Islands, Guam, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of Georgia, Mexico, Germany, England and Canada. Visit www.harlemambassadors.com to learn more about the company's history and current tour.

“We're proud to give communities quality family entertainment that parents, grandparents and kids can enjoy together and create memories that last a lifetime,” Harlem Ambassadors president Dale Moss said. "Every Harlem Ambassadors game is one-of-a-kind because the Ambassadors play against local competitors. It's a night filled with laughter, comedy and slam dunks, all to benefit the local community."

Tickets are on sale at from local Rotarians and at the door. For more information, call 970-467-7763 or visit www.fortmorganrotaryclub.org. The event is sponsored by the Fort Morgan Rotary Club.

3 on 3 Youth Basketball Tournament December 28 in Wray

***Courtesy of AM 1440 KRDZ and www.krdz.com***

A 3 on 3 Holiday Youth Basketball Tournament will be held on Saturday, December 28th at Buchanan Middle School in Wray. Grades 3rd-4th, 5th-6th and 7th-8th (boys and girls division, co-ed teams can be formed). This will be a double elimination tourney, with other contests offered like Knock Out and Hot Shot. The fee is $15 per team or $5 per player. Max of 5 players per team. Players not on a team will be placed with a team. Admission for tourney is $2 for adults and $1 for non playing students under 12 as well as senior citizens. For more information, call the Wray Recreation Office at 332-4419. All registration will occur at the event site.

Youth Basketball Camp Starting December 26 in Wray

***Courtesy of AM 1440 KRDZ and www.krdz.com***

A Winter Break Youth Basketball Camp will be held on the following dates in December: December 26th, 27th, 30th and 31st at Buchanan Middle School in Wray. Girls and boys grades K-3 will be from 9-10:30am, while girls and boys grades 4-8 will start at 11am. The fee is $10 per participant (pre-registration is recommended; can also register the first day of the event at the site). This camp includes basketball fundamentals stressed drills, knock out, three point, free throw, hot shot competitions, scrimmages, camp leagues and other gym activities (dodge ball, kick ball etc.). For more information, contact Brad Weese in the Wray Recreation Department at 332-4419.

Boys 5th and 6th Grade Basketball Tournament December 21 in Wray

***Courtesy of AM 1440 KRDZ and www.krdz.com***

A Boys 5th and 6th Grade Annual Holiday Basketball Tournament (double elimination) will be held Saturday, December 21st at Buchanan Middle School in Wray starting at 9am. The cost is $100 per team. There will be Knock Out and Hot Shot competitions with awards to be given. Admission for the tournament is $3 for adults, $2 for students under 12 and senior citizens. Team players and two coaches are admitted free of charge. For more information, feel free to call the Wray Recreation Department at 332-4419.

Sterling Elks Hoop Shoot January 4

The Sterling Elks Lodge 42nd Annual "Hoop Shoot" contest will be held Saturday, January 4 in the auxiliary gym in the Bank of Colorado Events Center on the campus of Northeastern Junior College in Sterling.  The contest is free and open to all young boys and girls between the ages of 8 and 13.  Sign-up begins at 8am and the contest starts at 9am.  The winners of each age group at the local contest will compete in the District Finals January 18 at NJC.  For more information contact Rich at 522-0223 or rip@bresnan.net

Peetz Youth Basketball Registration November 5

Peetz Youth Basketball registration information is available on the school website at www.peetzschool.org. Signup is Tuesday, November 5 at 6:30pm in the Peetz School commons. Contact 970-520-9064 for more information. The Youth Club will pay for 2/3rds of the registration fee. Peetz Youth Basketball is for kids in 2nd - 6th grades.

Brush Recreation Youth Basketball Registration October 30

***Courtesy of AM 1400 KFTM and www.kftm.net***

The City of Brush Recreation Department will hold registration for youth travel and rec basketball for grades 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th October 30 from 5-6pm at the recreation office.  You can also go to brushcolo.com and register at the activenet link.

Wray Youth Basketball Registration runs through November 1

***Courtesy of AM 1440 KRDZ and www.krdz.com***

Wray Youth Basketball registration is still open through November 1st. Visit Wray City Hall to sign your child up for the Youth Basketball Program. Sign ups include: Little Hoopsters ($25 for boys and girls grades K-2), City Fundamental Youth League ($25 for boys and girls in grades 3-4 and 5-6), as well as NECO Travel League ($35 for boys and girls in grades 5-6). Write all checks out to the City of Wray. Registration Forms are available at Wray City Hall. If you have questions please call the Wray Recreation Department at (970) 332-4419 or e-mail at wrayrecreation@centurytel.net.

Wray Recreation Youth Basketball Sign Up Night October 24

***Courtesy of AM 1440 KRDZ and www.krdz.com***

The City of Wray Recreation Youth Basketball Program will hold registration night Thursday, October 24 at Wray City Hall from 6-8pm.  Sign ups include: Little Hoopsters ($25 for boys and girls grades K-2), City Fundamental Youth League ($25 for boys and girls in grades 3-4 and 5-6), as well as NECO Travel League ($35 for boys and girls in grades 5-6). Write all checks out to the City of Wray. Registration forms will be available at Wray City Hall beginning October 24th. If you have questions please call the Wray Recreation Department at (970) 332-4419 or e-mail at wrayrecreation@centurytel.net

Northeastern’s women’s basketball program begins new era

***Press Release***

By Barbara Baker

STERLING, CO--A new era begins in women’s basketball at Northeastern Junior College with the 2013-2014 season. Seasoned, long-time coach Darrel Parker, who coached at both Sterling High School and Northeastern Junior College (NJC) for a combined 37 years, has retired. His former assistant for the last seven years, Dave Huss, steps up to take the head coaching duties and has a plan of his own he wants to put in place. This all happens at a time when the college’s athletic department is doing a bit of a regroup. For the first time in Northeastern’s history, the basketball and volleyball coaches on campus will be dedicating all of their time to the sport they lead. As these athletic positions become full-time, these individuals will be coaching, recruiting, overseeing student retention, graduation rates, and will be responsible for fundraising. In past years, a head coach at NJC often also held another job on campus that always required equal time. The college hopes that by letting a head coach really focus on his or her sport, the outcome will be more consistent and allow programs at Northeastern to get back to where they once were.

Huss, who has also been a manager in the Bank of Colorado Event Center for the past seven years—opening the building early, closing the building late, and running tournaments on weekends—did all of this at the same time he was fulfilling the duties as an assistant coach. He looks forward to the change. “Northeastern has made a significant commitment to women’s basketball by modifying this coaching position to full time, but the expectations have grown as well,” he said. And, he’s ready for the challenge. He’s already recruited a new assistant coach in Bobby Ratterree and the two of them are working on strategy, looking forward to the arrival of a roster of players that includes 12 new freshmen—all players that Huss and his manager, Camion Horton recruited to the program this last year. “We’ve added some significant height and depth to this year’s team,” Huss notes. “We are going to be a young team,” Huss admits, but rationalizes that many of the other teams in the National Junior College Athletic Association’s Region IX will also be young.

Huss says that Northeastern has three players this season who are definitely Division I material—good players, good role models, good students. The three returning sophomores will be asked to provide some significant leadership this year. Tiffany Mines, a 5’7” guard from Farson, Wyoming is expected to step up big. “She was probably our best player last year, even though she was a walk on,” Huss says, “she’s a good, vocal leader and an overall great kid.” Other returning players joining Mines will be Jordan Bishop, a 5’4”, left-handed guard from Doherty High School in Colorado Springs. She was a starter in about one-third of last year’s games. Carle Cortez-Walser, a 5’8” guard from Merino returns this year as a strong role player and a master of the three point shot.

This year’s wildcard may be Charmayne Jordan a 5’10” sophomore guard from Fayetteville, GA who is transferring into Northeastern sight unseen. She comes from Central Georgia Technical Junior College, pushed here by a friend who played at NJC who says this is the better program for her to be in. Huss says she has some good talent and he’s excited to see her on the court. 

Among the new freshmen coming on campus will be Meg Pritchard, a 5’11” guard from Adelaide, South Australia; Janae Bailey, a 5’11” forward from Baltimore, MD; Arianne Sheka, a 5’10” forward from Ft. Defiance, AZ; Angie Smith, a 6’ forward from Widefield High School in Colorado; and Brooke Blair, a 5’8” guard from New Zealand. Huss has definitely made it a point to add height this year. “I recruited my tail off this last year,” he laughs.

“Our style of play this year will be a lot more unpredictable,” says Huss. “I’ll take some bits and pieces and build off of them to have more structure using sets, out of bound plays, and running different zones. We have a brutal schedule coming up in November and we’re going to do some things differently in hopes that we surprise some of our opponents.”  Ratterree brings a knack for some offensive play that is quite different than what NJC has seen for a few years and Huss says they will incorporate this into their strategy.

Huss, originally from Coleridge, Nebraska, came to Northeastern having been a high school girls coach in Kansas, an assistant men’s coach at the community college in Marshalltown, Iowa and an assistant coach at North Dakota State College of Science. He’s very excited at the opportunity to prove himself now as a head coach. “I’ve grown to really love Northeastern and the people who live in this area and support our programs and I hope to do well by them and the students who come here to play and study,” Huss said, adding “I have big shoes to fill.”

Ratterree, originally from Falcon, CO, has a great deal to offer the Northeastern women’s program. He played NAIA basketball at Northwestern Iowa (Orange City) and while attending the University of Northern Colorado, was a practice player and an equipment manager there. In the past he has coached high school boys’ teams for three years and has one year of junior college coaching experience as an assistant coach at Feather River College California.

Ratterree is no stranger to Northeastern athletics. His sister Caroline played volleyball at NJC in 2007-2009 and he was on campus many times to watch her play. He played in, and won a three on three basketball tournament at NJC not all that many years ago. “Bobby will bring some youth, energy and playing experience to the program. He’s way smarter with a Smart phone and a computer than I am so I will look to him for that kind of help in communicating with players, the campus and the community,” Huss said.  Caroline is now working for Athletes in Action out of Radford University & Virginia Tech.  She went from NJC on to Radford University in Virginia where she played volleyball and ran track and completed her bachelor’s degree in art. 

Ratterree, who will also be an assistant residence hall director, relocated to Sterling with his wife Lara, who will be teaching ESL at Ayres Elementary School.  He has seen the potential for the athletic programs at Northeastern. “I’m super excited about returning to coaching and I’m so happy to be doing it here now, with Huss,” he said.

Girls Basketball Camps June 10-13 at NJC

***Press Release***

Some of the highlights of the summer for many children in this area are attending the Kids College classes and the basketball camps offered by Northeastern Junior College. This year is no exception when it comes to the young, female players. The college’s women’s basketball program will combine efforts with the Sterling High School girl’s program to once again offer a Fundamental Day Camp and a Little Lady Hoopers camp. 

The fundamental camp is designed to help young women hone their basketball skills while establishing lasting friendships and gaining confidence on the basketball court. This camp is for players who will be in the 4th-9th grades next year who are looking for the fun and a more intense basketball experience.  The camp’s emphasis will be on skill development through drills, games, competitions and other activities. It will take place June 10-13 from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Bank of Colorado Event Center on campus. The camp fee is $45 per camper and it includes a camp t-shirt, basketball and camp awards.

The Little Lady Hoopers Camp is designed for girls ages four through the going into the third grade next year. They will have a blast learning about, and playing the game of basketball. This camp will also be June 10-13 from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. and it, too, will be held at the Bank of Colorado Event Center. Each camper will receive a t-shirt as well as fun with friends and great coaches, and a basketball.

Players may register at the door beginning one hour before the start of their camp.  They may also run by the Bank of Colorado Event Center and get a copy of the registration form in advance to make sign up go smoother when they get here that morning.

For more information contact Darrel Parker, Women’s Basketball Coach, Northeastern Junior College, 100 College Ave, Sterling, Colorado 80751, (970) 521-6621 or email: Darrel.parker@njc.edu

Wray Recreation Department hosting basketball camp starting June 3

***Courtesy of AM 1440 KRDZ and www.krdz.com***

The Wray Recreation Department is hosting the Eagle Youth Basketball Camp June 3rd through June 6th. Fundamentals will be stressed and the camp will also include contests and scrimmages. The coaching staff will be various area coaches and all coaches are asked to meet the coaching staff in the commons area during the first day of camp. First through fourth grade boys and girls will go from 9:00 to 10:30 am and the fifth through eighth grade boys and girls will go from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm at the Wray High School Gym. The cost is $25 and it included a t-shirt. Pre-registration is requested at City Hall or by call 970-332-4419.

Hoops Homecoming this Saturday at NJC

***Press Release***

Free admission for everyone to evening ballgames

The 19^th Annual Hoops Homecoming event will take place at Northeastern Junior College this Saturday, February 23. The college’s alumni association invites everyone to come back to campus and enjoy a day in Sterling.

While the evening ballgames—this year against Trinidad State Junior college--are the largest events to take place, there are several other offerings available. At 9 a.m., the college rodeo team hosts an open jackpot rodeo at the Logan County Fairgrounds. The day begins with exhibition barrel racing, followed by competitive barrel racing, calf roping, break away roping, goat tying and team roping, in this order, throughout the day. Activities will be held in the indoor arena and admission is free.  At 12 noon, the Northeastern Plainsman baseball team takes on Miles Community College of Miles City Montana at Plainsman Park, located on Pioneer Road at the north campus site.

A special, by invitation only luncheon will honor the 2013 alumni award winners. It will be followed by a 2 p.m. annual meeting of the board of directors at the Plainsman Grill at Northeastern 18 golf course. This annual meeting is open to anyone who wants to attend, however it is usually a short session.

At 2:30 in the afternoon, the Heritage Center will be open for viewing in the Hays Student Center on the second floor.  This is an on-campus museum which features an awesome collection of college history and memorabilia. The Alumni Association’s Heritage Center Committee has worked diligently to collect and display hundreds of items, photos, yearbooks, old clothing, and keepsakes from the past. Admission to this center is free.

The games will begin at 5:30 p.m. when the Plainswomen take on Trinidad State Junior College Lady Trojans. The men will follow with a game at 7:30 p.m. The 2013 alumni award winners will be introduced at center court during half time of the men’s game. Alumni may enter the door prize drawings and may participate in the nice reception that is always held during Hoops Homecoming up in the balcony area of the event center. The first 200 alumni to register at the start of the ballgames will receive a free spirit towel with Plainsman Pete on it. The Hoops Homecoming events are open to everyone, with the exception of the awards luncheon, and for these games only, admission is free to all who attend. 

Colorado 1A State Basketball Moving to 1stBank Center in Broomfield, Regional/State Wrestling on Trackwrestling

***Press Release***

Aurora, CO – A scheduling conflict with the Budweiser Events Center in Loveland has forced the Colorado High School Activities Association to move its Class 1A State Basketball Championships to Broomfield’s 1StBank Center on March 14-16, CHSAA officials announced today.

“Somehow there was a scheduling conflict between the CHSAA dates and the Colorado Eagles at the Budweiser events Center.  Fortunately, it was discovered at a time where we were able to find a quality facility for this classification. It is somewhat frustrating to the 1A schools and the CHSAA as we try to find a more permanent home for them. However, we are pleased that the 1stBank Center is available for these games,” Assistant Commissioner Bert Borgmann, the CHSAA administrator in charge of the sport, said.

By establishing the new site now, Borgmann noted, it gives schools about a month to make alternate plans for housing and travel. The new site is located at 11450 Broomfield Lane in Broomfield just off US36 between Church Ranch Boulevard and Wadsworth Blvd.

Other state championship sites include: 2A – Massari Arena, Colorado State University-Pueblo; Moby Gym, Colorado State University-Fort Collins; 4A/5A – CU Events Center, Boulder.

CHSAA WRESTLING REGIONAL AND STATE RESULTS ACCESSIBLE ON TRACKWRESTLING

The CHSAA regional and state wrestling tournaments are now featuring live point-by-point scoring online through TrackWrestling (Access instructions attached and also available on www.chsaa.org/wrestling).

TrackWrestling is all-encompassing site that allows fans and media, alike, to access every facet of the regional and state meets, including individual match point-by-point live. Results are posted immediately to the site and are continuously updated.

TrackWrestling information will be streamed continuously on CHSAA.tv as it broadcasts each match live from the Pepsi Center February 21-23. All CHSAA.tv broadcasts for winter and spring 2013 are pay per view events. Access information for the CHSAA.tv events can be found at www.chsaa.tv.

2013 State Basketball Championship Game Times

Elite 8, Semifinals, Consolations, Finals

Classes 1A, 2A, 3A

(1A – 1stBank Center; 2A – CSU-Pueblo; 3A – CSU-Fort Collins)

Thur.-Fri., March 14-15

8:45 a.m.              Boys

10:15 a.m.           Girls

11:45 a.m.           Boys

1:15 p.m.             Girls

Clear House

4:00 p.m.             Boys

5:30 p.m.             Girls

7:00 p.m.             Boys

8:30 p.m.             Girls

Saturday, March 16

10:00 a.m.           Boys Consolation Final

11:30 a.m.           Girls Consolation Final

Clear House

2:30 p.m.             Boys Third Place

4:00 p.m.             Girls Third Place

5:30 p.m.             Boys Championship

7:00 p.m.             Girls Championship

Classes 4A, 5A

Denver Coliseum

Thursday, March 7

5A Girls

4:00 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

8:30 p.m.

Friday, March 8

5A Boys

4:00 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

8:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 9

4A Boys & Girls

8:45 a.m.              Girls

10:15 a.m.           Boys

11:45 a.m.           Girls

1:15 p.m.             Boys

Clear House

4:00 p.m.             Girls

5:30 p.m.             Boys

7:00 p.m.             Girls

8:30 p.m.             Boys

Classes 4A, 5A Final Four

CU Events Center

Thursday, March 14 – Girls Semifinals

4:00 p.m. – 4A Girls

5:30 p.m. - 4A Girls

7:00 p.m. – 5A Girls

8:30 p.m. – 5A Girls

Friday, March 15 – Boys Semifinals

4:00 p.m. – 4A Boys

5:30 p.m. – 4A Boys

7:00 p.m. – 5A Boys

8:30 p.m. – 5A Boys

Saturday, March 16 - Championships

Noon                     Unified Game (2-15-minute halves)

1:30 p.m.             4A Girls Championship

3:30 p.m.             5A Girls Championship

Break (Seat Switch/Burg Simpson/Honor Teams)

6:00 p.m.             4A Boys Championship

8:00 p.m.             5A Boys Championship

Merino 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament Feb 18

There will be a 3-on-3 basketball tournament February 18 at Merino High School.  There will be boys and girls divisions in each age group.  3rd and 4th grade registration begins at 8am with games starting at 8:30am.  5th and 6th grade registration begins at 10am with games starting at 10:30am.  7th and 8th grade registration begins at 11:30am with games beginning at 12pm.  Entry fee is $5/player.  Lunch and concessions will be available.  For more information call 970-522-7424.

Sterling Recreation Division to host Denver Nuggets Skills Challenge Dec 22

***Press Release***

The City of Sterling Recreation Division will host the Denver Nuggets Basketball Skills Challenge on Saturday, December 22.  The competition is free for all participants.  This is a chance for young basketball enthusiasts to exhibit their skills.  It has separate boys and girls divisions and is open to youth ages 7 through 14.  The Challenge will be held at the Sterling High School in Wally Post Gym and will start at 10am sharp.  Registration begins at 9:30am.  Participants must compete during the scheduled time of the competition.  Late participants will not be allowed to compete.

The Denver Nuggets Basketball Skills Challenge is a basketball competition that allows youngsters to showcase their talents.  Participant scores are based on timed shooting, passing accuracy, and their speed dribbling through an obstacle course.

The top boy and girl from each age group will advance to the Sectional Competition.  Sectional winners will advance to the Regional and National Competitions.  Parents will need to sign a liability wavier and registration form for their youth to compete.  Registration forms are available in advance at the Sterling Recreation Center and Pro Sports in Sterling, or the day of the competition.  For additional information call 970-522-7882.

Age Groups (participant's age determined as of 4/30/13)

7 & 8 Year Olds
9 & 10 Year Olds
11 & 12 Year Olds
13 & 14 Year Olds

Sterling Elks Lodge Hoop Shoot January 5

***Press Release***

The Sterling Elks Lodge has set the date for the 41st annual "Hoop Shoot" contest.  The event will be held Saturday, January 5, 2013 in the auxiliary gym in the Bank of Colorado Events Center, on the campus of Northeastern Junior College.

The contest is free and open to all young boys and girls between the ages of 8 and 13.  Sign-up begins at 8am, with the contest to begin at 9am.  The winners of each age group at the local contest will compete in the District Finals, also to be held at NJC on January 19, 2013.

For more information call Rich at 970-522-0223, or email rip@bresnan.net.