2020-2021 Practice/Game Schedule (7th, 8th, C, JV, V)

The practice and game schedule is up on our calendar (www.pinecityboysbasketball.blogspot.com).  This schedule is fluid and could absolutely change due to lots of circumstances outside of our control.  We will keep it up to date as we know!  Thank you for being flexible with the crazy schedule.

Official Start Date

Grades 7-12 boys basketball (7th, 8th, C, JV, V) will officially begin in person practices on Jan. 4th.  More info. will come as I have it.

MSHSL "Pause" Schedule (Grades 7-12)

 

New Winter Sports/COVID Information

 New information just coming out, please be aware:

"If the athlete goes on a trip out of state during the season. They must quarantine for 14 days when they get back. This would also extend into the spring season."

New information will continue to be given out and made aware to all as we have it.

Thank You from Pine City Boys Basketball

 

Targeted Return Date: 1/4/21

 Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020

League winter sports to begin in-person practice on Jan. 4, 2021

For Immediate Release

BROOKLYN CENTER, Minn. --- In alignment with Executive Order 20-103 announced today by Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the Minnesota State High School League will begin in-person practice for winter sports and activities on Mon., Jan. 4, 2021.

Thirteen days ago, the League’s Board of Directors approved a flexible scheduling model, presented by the Return to Participation Task Force, which will adapt to the new Executive Order. The new mandate modifies and is an extension of Executive Order 20-99 that went into effect on Nov. 20 and was set to expire Dec. 18. The first date of competition under the new directive has not yet been determined.

Member schools have the option to begin in-person participation at a later date if it best aligns with their district’s COVID-19 response plan.

 On Jan. 4:

• Gymnastics, Girls and Boys Basketball, Girls and Boys Hockey, Wrestling, Boys Swimming and Diving, Girls and Boys Nordic Skiing and Girls and Boys Alpine Skiing may begin in-person practice
• The Dance season may resume in-person practice sessions
• Adapted Floor Hockey may begin its training season

“While we recognize that our students, coaches and families are anxious to return to activities and athletics, the Jan. 4, 2021, date aligns well with many member schools’ calendars as they return from extended breaks,” said League Executive Director Erich Martens. “This opportunity to participate in athletics and activities also comes with great responsibility. It is critical that all students, coaches, directors and officials maintain the highest standard of health and safety, both in and outside of school. Everyone must actively share the responsibility of reducing the spread of COVID-19 and keeping themselves and others safe and healthy.”

The Minnesota State High School League will continue to work with the Minnesota Department of Health and the League’s Sports Medicine Advisory Committee to review and update the Sports and Activities Guidance and Information that will further clarify, reinforce and implement the commitment to providing the safest environment for all involved.

“The League appreciates the hard work of Governor Walz and state departments in recognizing the significance and importance of these activities and athletics for our students,” Martens said. “Through participation in League activities and athletics, our students have enhanced physical and mental health and well-being. And, when they participate under the leadership and mentorship of League-trained and certified coaches and directors, implementing League provided protocols and guidance, they can enjoy the safest possible experiences.”

MSHSL "Pause" Schedule December 7-18

Grades K-3

meet.google.com/atd-shmm-qhy

Grades 4-6

meet.google.com/vwm-tynh-uve

12/1/2020: Youth Basketball Virtual Dribbling

Thanks to Coach Casey and UMD, our first virtual youth basketball dribbling workouts was a success!  

Join in at anytime, we are hoping to continue to offer these on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  Links will be sent out weekly.  

Thursday's LINK to the google meet: 

Grades K-3

Grades 4-6

MSHSL "Pause" Schedule: November 30-December 4

All grades 7-12 virtual workouts will utilize the google meet on your basketball google classroom.

All youth (K-6) virtual workouts will have individual links per age and date listed below:

Links:

12/1 Youth Basketball Links: 

Grades K-3

Grades 4-6

12/3 Youth Basketball Links:

Grades K-3

Grades 4-6

Help with google meet: LINK

11/23/2020: Grades 7-12 Basketball Update

 

11/23/2020: K-6 Youth Basketball Update

 

Book: Who Am I? A Basketball Riddle (Fritz Skinner)

Friend of the program and basketball guru Fritz Skinner has published a book about basketball and it is now available for sale.  The title of the book is: Who Am I?  A Basketball Riddle.

In 2019, Skinner came to Pine City and put on a K-12 camp for the Dragons.

Link to purchase the book: http://bookstore.dorrancepublishing.com/who-am-i-a-basketball-riddle/

2nd (and last) Fan Gear Orders: Extended to Sunday 11/22

The second and final fan gear order forms have been extended through the weekend.  They will be closed on Monday.  Please get any orders in by Sunday! 

Lee's Pro Shop: https://tinyurl.com/yxh7b4bm

BSN: https://bit.ly/2GubKKk

COVID-19 Announcement

 Dear Dragon Family, 

With the increase in Covid-19 cases throughout Minnesota, last night Governor Walz announced new restrictions in Executive Order 20-99: Implementing a Four Week Pause on Activities to Slow the Spread of COVID-19. 

All Activities, Athletics and Youth Sports will be paused effectively Friday, November 20^th at 11:59 p.m. This means Organized Youth Sports organizations and programs must stop all in-person activities — including practices, captains practices, group workouts, student organized team gatherings, games, and tournaments — during a four-week pause announced by the governor.

Head coaches and myself will communicate details on allowable activities with students and families as they become available.

Respectfully,

Rick Engelstad

Activities Director

2020-2021 (Grades 7-12) Basketball "Sign Ups"

Any 7th-12th grade student interested in playing boys basketball this season should sign up for the NEW basketball google classroom.  

The sign up code is: w4alzyi

OR

Link: https://classroom.google.com/c/MjI5NDY4ODk3NTgy?cjc=w4alzyi

8th Grade AAU Opportunity/Tryout

 

WI Playmakers AAU Tryouts

 

10/14/20: In-House Hoops

 We don't need light to play!

10/13/20: In-House Hoops

 Nothing like playing a little basketball while the sun sets!

10/10/20: In-House Hoops

 

10/8/20: In-House Hoops

 

Fan Gear Order #2 (Due Nov. 20)

 Lee's Pro Shop: https://tinyurl.com/yxh7b4bm

BSN: https://bit.ly/2GubKKk

Youth Hoops Schedule For This Week

 BOYS schedule this week:

Tues: 6-7pm (grades 3-4)

Th: 6-7pm (grades 5-6)

Sat: 9-10am(grades 3-4), 10-11am (grades 5-6)

ALL @rockcreek

10/3/20: In-House Hoops

 The cold morning couldn't stop these guys from playing some basketball!

10/2/20: In-House Hoops

 

Fan Gear (Order #1) Ending Soon

Good news!  The order deadline has been pushed back to Monday Oct. 5th for order #1 of the 2020 Pine City Basketball Fan Gear.

To ensure you order is here before Christmas (and hopefully by the start of our season (fingers crossed)), please place your order on this round.

There will be a second round of orders, but they will not be guaranteed to be here before Christmas.

Order From LEES: http://tinyurl.com/yybaplw4

Order from BSN: https://www.bsnteamsports.com/shop/20bbphs20

10/1/20: In-House Hoops

 

Youth Hoops Scheduling Changes

Please be aware of the following changes to this weeks schedule:

Thursday 10/1: Grades 3-4 (6-7PM) @Outdoor Rock Creek Courts

Friday 10/2: Grades 5-6 (6-7PM) @Outdoor Rock Creek Courts

Saturday 10/3: Grades 3-4 (8-9AM), Grades 5-6 (9-10AM) @Rock Creek Courts

We apologize ahead of time for any inconveniences caused.

9/26/20: In-House Hoops

 There is still time to join in on the fun!  Grades 3-6.

Team Shoes 2020

WEBSITE to order: https://eastbaystore.com/OFMW2530

Team shoes are not a requirement, but we do ask that all basketball shoes are predominantly green and white.  These shoes would meet that.

We are asking all players that plan on playing varsity to consider buying these team shoes if they are buying new shoes.

All players who plan on playing varsity and are not buying team shoes, must have their shoes approved by Coach Allen.

These shoes are available to any player in the program at any level.

There MIGHT be another (more expensive/newer) option that will be made available at a later time; we are waiting on inventory numbers from the company.

There is are 2 ADULT options and 1 YOUTH option for sizes.

MN Comets Catalyst Camp

 For grades 4-8

https://mncomets.sportngin.com/register/form/592936622

Basketball Fan Gear 2020 (Order #1)

Order #1 due by October 2nd.

Lee's Pro Shop: http://tinyurl.com/yybaplw4

BSN: https://www.bsnteamsports.com/shop/20bbphs20

Fall Hoops (Youth Basketball) Information

 Information for Boys/Girls grades 3-6.

Rescheduled Volunteer Opportunity

 Please RSVP with Coach Allen

8/29: @Pine City Elementary School (8AM-2PM)

-PTO: Painting Activities on the Blacktop and cleaning up outdoor areas

-Sign up for 1-2 hour time slots

A Dragon Will Fly With Falcons

Duke Waxberg will be attending The University of Wisconsin - River Falls this August and plans on competing on the football team when their season begins. 

"Duke is a sneaky athlete" said head coach Kyle Allen.  "I thought he could have played collegiality in a few different sports, I am glad he found one that he is excited about".

While at Pine City, Waxberg played football, basketball, and baseball.  He joins fellow seniors Christian Fromm (Football - Moorhead State), Koleman Lind (Basketball - UM Morris), and Konnor Jusczak (Basketball - North Central) from the 2020 graduating basketball class to go on to play college sports.

"They were a fun group, a group that really accomplished a lot" continued Allen.  "Duke was a big part of a lot of success in athletics here in Pine City over the last sever years, I am excited for that journey to continue for him".

Volunteer Opportunities

 Please RSVP with Coach Allen.

8/20: @Journey North Church (6-7PM)

-PTO: School Supply Giveaway

8/22: @Pine City Elementary School (8AM-2PM)

-PTO: Painting Activities on the Blacktop and cleaning up outdoor areas

-Sign up for 1-2 hour time slots

2020-21 Breakdown Photoshoot

 Senior Caleb Fromm and junior Kameron Jusczak were selected to be apart of the 2020-21 Breakdown Basketball Book for the state of Minnesota representing Pine City!

Jusczak is Joining the Herd

Senior Konnor Jusczak will be taking his talents on the hardwood to North Central University in the fall after a stellar high school career.

"Konnor has been with me for a long time; 5 years on varsity" said head coach Kyle Allen.  "He graduates with the most wins in school history and he was a big part of a lot of those wins".  Jusczak also set the school record with charges taken during his senior year.  "He was always willing to do what was best for the team and the program".

Jusczak will follow in the footsteps of older brother Kole (2016) to play in the UMAC.  Kole played at Crown College after high school.  Konnor will also play against two other former Dragons in (2020) Koleman Lind (Morris) and (2018) Jake Rademacher (CSS).

"Kon-Bon has been an amazing leader for us over the last several years.  He knows my system and knows the game of basketball.  He will have to rely on those traits at the next level" said Allen.  "I am excited for him to have this opportunity; he has worked extremely hard for this and overcome many obstacles along the way".