PINE CITY BOYS BASKETBALL: November 2024

Thursday, November 28, 2024

11/26/24: Todd Dufault

On Tuesday, after our scrimmgae with NLA, Coach Todd Dufault met with and spoke to the varsity team. His message dealt with "buy in", understanding how to reach your potential, and protecting the culture.

https://www.todddufaultleadership.com/

Wednesday, November 27, 2024

Winter Sports Preview: Boys basketball sets forth with strong group of seniors

By Heidi Burger

Nov 27, 2024

The Dragon Boys Basketball team is ready and running for the upcoming season. Coach Kyle Allen is in his 14th year as the head coach for the Dragons. Last season, Coach Allen was transparent about the condition of the program and commented on the program having “cracks in the foundation.” He said last season was a time to reset and fix those cracks.

The coaches’ hope is that, as a group, they take advantage of last season and have grown and learned. “If everything goes according to plan, we should have a lot of depth with contributors across multiple grade levels,” said Allen. “As we take the next step to return to relevancy as a program, players will be asked to perform the concepts of the program on a night in and night out basis.” The incoming boys varsity group will get an opportunity again this year to showcase that they can compete and play at this level. It could be the team’s biggest challenge this season, or their greatest accomplishment – to keep the foundation strong and the program relevant.

Coach Allen added, “As we work our way back to where the program once was, we know the obstacles that we must overcome; we have traveled down this road before. Being consistent in both our buy-in and preparation will create the model the next groups need to carry the torch.”

Last season, the boys finished the season with an overall record of 6-21. Allen is hoping to be much more competitive this year. He also commented on the loss of the lone senior last year, Matthew Blake. Blake took on a role that is not asked of many, and his leadership was a big piece to the program. The coaches are looking to the returning varsity players to continue that leadership role and continue the growth mindset of the program.

It is a senior-loaded team this year, and each one has their contributions. Charlie Ausmus is a returning all-conference/all-section player. He is a shooter with an unlimited motor. Bryer Willert, also a returning all-conference/honorable mention player, has grit on both sides of the court. Sawyer McDaniel is the “long and lanky” returning captain. AJ Ostenson has the potential to be a lead guard with his shooting skills. Austin Wiener has the chance to be a top inside/out guy on both sides of the court. Jace Peterson will show off his athleticism both on offense and defense. Eli Fromm also has a high endurance level and is a work-horse. Daniel Milliman is a solid defender that has the potential to lead in the creator position. Kevon Williams has an excellent attitude and mindset while playing the game. Daimien Lord will also bring his athleticism to the court. And finally, Colson Berglund is given the “Schwab Role” this year on the team with his high IQ.

Other players of note are sophomore Grant Larson, sophomore Grant Skluzacek, sophomore Tanner Fix, junior Sam Johnson, and junior Ashton Moore.

Allen is assisted by Dylan Kringstad (JV coach, 3rd year), Wayne Hansmann (C-Squad coach, 11th year), Adam Jensen (8th grade coach, 10th year), Ben Bloomquist (7th grade coach, 8th year).

The boys season can be followed online at: www.pinecityboysbasketball.blogspot.com.

Monday, November 25, 2024

Week of Thanksgiving Schedule

Dragons @ The Target Center Tickets: 12/20/24

On December 20th, Pine City will take on LILA at The Target Center.

JV @ 515PM and Varsity @ 7PM

Tickets must be purchased ahead of time through this link:

https://www.nba.com/timberwolves/youth-basketball/pine-city-lila

Tickets are $35 each. Your ticket gets you into the Pine City games as well as a future Timberwolves game.

All players, coaches, managers, and fans must have a ticket.

11/23/24: Preseason Scrimmage

On Saturday, the Pine City JV and Varsity teams traveled up to Esko, MN for their annual preseason Scrimmage. Pine City took on Duluth Denfeld, Esko, Superior (WI), and Cloquet throughout the day.

Thursday, November 14, 2024

Pre-1st Day Information

Basketball begins on November 18th for all athletes in grades 9-12 AND for any 7th or 8th graders that are choosing to tryout before their official season begins on Jan. 2nd.

There will be a 7th and 8th grade tournament on December 15th (Duluth) for all 7th and 8th graders who participate in the early season.

If you are a 7th/8th grade athlete not participating in the optional first half, your first practice will be on Jan. 2nd.

The first events are on Monday: 6AM - 730AM and 3PM-5:30PM.

All ATHLETLETC PHYSICALS must be on file with the school to participate.

Other items that need to be turned in:

MSHSL State Form and Athletic Fee (To The School)

Basketball Acknolwedgment Form and Preseason Questionnaire (To Coach Allen)

Junior High Move Up Form, Meal Form, and Rideshare (For those who this applies to - To Coach Allen)

Please see Google Classroom for your updated checklist (0=Not turned in, 1=Turned in and/or not needed).

Monday, November 11, 2024

Grease

Over the weekend, Pine City Public Schools preformed the musical Grease!

Pictured here at boys basketball players Luke Mangan and James Mangan, girls basketball players Mallory Clepper and Brooke Boland, and boys basketball anagner Amber Norton.

7th + 8th Grade Tournament

For the 7th and 8th graders who are deciding to particiapte in the optional 1st half of the season with C-Squad starting November 18th, there will be a tournament that they will be invited to particiapte in.

Dec. 15th @ Duluth, MN

More information to come.

Want to play in the tournament? It will be availabel to all 7th and 8th graders who play with the C-Squad before the Junior High season starts!

Monday, November 4, 2024

Preseason Parent/Player Meeting

The preseason parent/player meeting can be found using the following link:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zMFYyzR5MfGdNMTD5vk2pJCV2UStUc_r/view?usp=sharing

Friday, November 1, 2024

Hoops And Halloween

Grant Skluzacek, Grant Haverhals, and Tanner Fix volunteered to hand out candy and give information about basketball (k-12) during the snowy Halloween trick or treater's time on Thursday!

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Program Information

Program Purpose:

Educational

Program Goal:

Win Games

Program Information:

Our coaching philosophy for Boys Basketball at Pine City encompasses the betterment and success of our student athletes. Our program’s and school’s purpose is educational; that all of our student-athletes will be successful in the classroom to better prepare them for life outside of the classroom. Our goal as both a program and a school for athletics is to win. Life lessons, attitude, discipline, effort, commitment, hard-work, skill, time management, communication, collective and individual responsibility, accountability, evaluation, collaboration, and love are some of the concepts that are implemented and taught by our program. Just like the classroom setting, not everyone will have the same results, but it is our hope that all student-athletes will “get out of it what they put into it”. In both the classroom and on the court, student-athletes have different levels of motivation, effort, prior knowledge, work habits, skills, natural abilities, growth, and interest which lead to different “grades” or “results”. Everyone will be given the same FAIR opportunities but it may not be an EQUAL result; that is up to each individual athlete. We have high purposes and goals and therefore need equally high expectations that are equivalent to our purpose and goals.

JV/C Attending Varsity Games:

JV and C-Squad players in attendance at varsity games are expected to sit behind the varsity bench for the varsity games after their games. It creates a better atmosphere for our team, more support for the team playing, and is a bonding experience. Other 7th and 8th grade players, along with any youth basketball players, are welcome to join in this as well in this.

Missing School:

By school rule if an athlete is absent from school, tardy to school, or are removed from class they are ineligible to participate after school in a practice or an event. Athletes are still expected to come to the practice or event but cannot participate.

Equipment/Inventory

Your son will be issued out equipment, uniforms, and other items that belong to the school and/or the basketball program. A detailed list will be kept of which players have what equipment. This equipment is expected to be returned in the same fashion and condition it is given out in. If equipment is lost or damaged, it will be your responsibility to replace it.

Technology in the Locker Room

Electronic devices that have picture-taking capabilities will not be permitted in locker rooms for any MSHSL-sponsored competition. The use of any type of picture-taking devices in a locker room is a violation of the student code of conduct and will be dealt with.

Game Day Attire

We ask that all athletes “dress up” on game days. This includes but is not limited to: shirt and tie and/or collared shirt, dress shoes, and khakis or slacks. If there is any issues, please see your coach or Coach Allen.

Basketball Shoes

We ask that shoes worn by our players at games be predominantly green, and white. Varsity players who do not get the team shoes must have their shoes approved by Coach Allen. Please see your coach with any questions or problems.

Missing Practice:

If an athlete misses a practice before a contest, they are still eligible to play in the next event but is up to the discretion of each coach. An athlete may miss out on some or all playing time and/or have to make up the time for missing practice even if it is excused. If a player is going to be gone for an extended period of time, please set up a meeting with the coach to determine eligibility when they return. This decision is done on a case by case basis as many factors go into these decisions.

Non-School Day Practices:

At different levels, we will have practice on Saturdays, over holidays, before school, etc. These are treated like any other practice and attendance is mandatory. If there is a reason why an athlete cannot come, they should inform their coach. Family and academics always come before sports.

Morning/Saturday Workouts (Unified Athletic Program)

There will be mandatory workouts happening throughout the year that are held before school and/or Saturdays for all C-Squad, JV, and Varsity players. Players are expected to attend an assigned number of workouts per week. The workouts will be M-Th from 615-715AM (Doors open at 6AM) and Saturdays (Times/Location Vary). It is highly suggested to not attend the workouts on game days and schedule it so you can go on non-game days. We suggest to attend two of the following three days: Monday mornings, Wednesday mornings, or Saturday mornings. If these days do not work, you can go other days instead.

Although it is not required. this is also highly suggested to be utilized by Junior High athletes as well. These workouts are supported by Pine City Athletics, Pine City High School, Pine City Boys Basketball and are run year round.

Wednesday Practices:

For Wednesday practices we will follow the District's Policy for all athletes in regards to Church Activities. Grades 7-8 will be done by 5 PM and grades 9-12 will be done by 630 PM.

Coming Out To Play After The Season Has Started:

If an athlete were to come out for basketball after the beginning of the season, they would need to make up all work that has already been done by the other athletes before being allowed to participate. This would be up to the discretion of the coaching staff.

Move-Ups:

Move-ups will be completed when there is a need for numbers and/or the skill of the player involved matches the level of move-up. All move-ups will require the agreement of the player, parent, current coach, new coach, AD, and Principal.

7th and 8th playing C-Squad

Before the start of the junior high season, all 7th and 8th grade players are invited to participate with the C-Squad until the start of their season. Junior High starts Jan. 2 and ends Feb. 22. All 7th and 8th graders wanting to play with the C-Squad before their season must participate in the tryouts starting the week of Nov. 19. This is a completely optional opportunity for all 7th and 8th graders. There is no guarantee of any playing time in games or practice, however, those players choosing to participate must attend all practices and games.

Lettering Policy:

All players that make the Varsity roster and volunteer 10 minimum hours will letter as well as managers. There is a Varsity roster limit from the MSHSL, because of this, not everyone on the Varsity roster is guaranteed a jersey, but could still letter.

Captains:

To be a captain, a player must fill out the captaincy sheet. The players will then vote on who will be a captain. This is a privilege, not a right, and can be revoked or denied based on actions detrimental to the team by the coaching staff.

Communication:

Pine City Boys Basketball is adopting John. E. Tufte’s “Academic First” Guidelines.

Pine City Boys Basketball is serious about creating and maintaining healthy academic and extracurricular environments for its students. While extracurricular activities play an important, sometimes essential role in the education of our children, we believe our passion for these activities must coincide harmoniously with the academic opportunities and obligations within our school district. Pine City Boys Basketball is striving for healthy relationships and communication practices with students and families, and we are committed to our priority of “academic first”. With these ideals in mind, the following guidelines will be followed concerning conflicts with extracurricular activities:

Regarding extracurricular conflicts, parents and guardians must have knowledge of the involved student’s academic schedule, the teachers of these classes, and the current grade for each of the involved student’s courses.
For an extracurricular conflict to be discussed, the involved student must have no current grade lower than a C.
If the involved student in an extracurricular conflict has a current grade lower than a C, a plan of action will be offered to improve the academic performance of the student.Extracurricular concerns will not become a priority until academic performance is satisfactory.

Pine City Boys Basketball is striving for healthy relationships and communication practices between and among school officials, students, and families with the goal of both keeping academics a priority in our school district and ensuring that everyone is treated fairly with their concerns. With these ideals in mind, the following guidelines will be followed concerning extracurricular related conflict resolution:

Communication regarding extracurricular conflicts will initiate with the student and the activity supervisor/coach.
If conflicts continue, the student, the activity supervisor/coach, and the parent/guardian can meet to discuss the issue.
If conflicts continue, the student, the activity supervisor/coach, the parent/guardian, and the school district activities direction can meet to discuss the issue.
All meetings regarding extracurricular conflict will include both the involved student and the activity supervisor/coach. This includes conflicts discussed over email or the telephone.
Extracurricular conflicts involving parents or guardians will not be discussed until and unless our “academic first” guidelines have been met.
Playing time issues can only involve the student and his activity supervisory/coach
Vulgarity, rude behavior, and/or threats will terminate all meetings
School officials will not guarantee a resolution for all extracurricular concerns, nor will every issue be given a meeting for discussion.

Playing Time:

One of the most common communication misunderstandings in basketball is playing time. Unlike other sports, basketball can only have five athletes in play at a time and they are limited based on position and situation. All athletes at sub-varsity levels will play in competitions, although not evenly and up to the discretion of their coach (with the exception of allowing our 7th and 8th graders to play up at C-Squad for one half of the season). Once an athlete reaches the varsity level, their playing time is up to the discretion of the coaching staff and are not guaranteed playing time. We will decide on our lineups and rotations based on eligibility, ability, consistency, effort, attitude, and how well we feel that player gives us a chance to win based on position and situation. We have also adopted a “try-out” philosophy that is already implemented by many sports at Pine City High School. Players will no longer be put on a specific team based on their age/grade alone. All 9-12 grade student-athletes will be invited to try-out for specific teams. They are eligible to play on either the C, B, or A teams. Try-outs will be held during the first week of practice. The entire coaching staff will be involved in evaluating players. All players will make a team; there will be no cuts, everyone will be invited to be apart of the program. Sometimes the best long term opportunity for an athlete who is not ready for JV/V is to have another year of skill development at a lower level in preparation to play varsity later in their career. We do not want to stifle the improvement growth of an athlete by having them play at a level they are not ready for. Move-ups will be completed when there is a need for numbers and/or the skill of the player involved matches the level of move-up. All move-ups will require the agreement of the player, parent, current coach, new coach, AD, and Principal per district policy.

Returning To Play After Being Removed:

If a player is removed from the program, they are allowed to return in a future year(s) under an individual contract between player and Coach Allen. Because the player was unable to adhere to the rules/goals, the consequence is an individual contract for a future year(s). If a player is removed from the program twice, they will not be allowed back into the program.

Supervision

Please respect the time of the coaching staff ensuring that you are picking up your son promptly after a practice or a game. If this becomes an issue, Coach Allen and/or the AD will contact you to ensure this does not continue. On days that our activity does not start immediately, players may stay in Coach Allen’s classroom as long as Coach Allen is present. If he is not, you must leave school grounds and return later.

Coach's Goals:

1. Teach life lessons, build great relationships, and prepare athletes for life outside of basketball.

2. Prepare athletes to play at the Varsity level at Pine City High School.

3. Be competitive and win games.

4. Have fun.

Coach Allen's Profile

PLAYING CAREER:

3 year varsity letter winner at Black River Falls High School

-2X Conference Champion

-Member of a top 10 ranked team in the state of Wisconsin (2004-05)

4 year varsity member at The College of St. Scholastica

-2X UMAC Regular Season Conference Champion

-3X UMAC Conference Tournament Champion

-Most Improved Player Award (2006-07)

-Saints Award Recipient (2008-09)

-Highest Field Goal Percentage (2008-09)

-2X National Association of Basketball Coaches Honor Court

-Academic All Conference (2008-09)

-Selected as team captain for the 2008-2009 season

COACHING CAREER:

Assistant Men's Basketball Coach-The College of St. Scholastica

Head Boy's Basketball Coach, Assistant Football/Track-League City Intermediate School

Head Assistant Boy's Basketball Coach-South Houston High School

-Conference Champion 2010-2011

-Conference Coaching Staff of the Year

Head Boys Basketball Coach-Pine City High School

-36 All-Conference Players

-9 All-Section Players

-Five 1,000 Point Scorers

-3 All-Wood City Classic Players

-3 Academic All-State Players

-Coached Program's #1-4, #6 All-Time Leading Scorers

-2X Conference Coach Of The Year

-Five 20+ Win Seasons

-4 Conference Championships

-7 players went on to college basketball programs, 16 total players went on to college athletics

MSHSL State Records Leaderboard:

-Assists/Season

2017-2018: 505 (#3)

2018-2019: 539 (#2)

2019-2020: 504 (#4)

-Three-Point Field Goals Attempted/Season

2015-2016: 1113 (#2)

2016-2017: 1007 (#8)

2017-2018: 1043 (#5)

2018-2019: 1108 (#3)

2019-2020: 998 (#9)

-Three-Point Field Goals Made/Season

2015-2016: 348 (#5)

2016-2017: 324 (#10)

2017-2018: 360 (#3)

2018-2019: 368 (#2)

2019-2020: 330 (#9)

-Steals/Game

2017: 34 (#7)

-Three-Point Field Goals Attempted/Game

2016: 61 (#4)

2017: 60 (#5)

2019: 61 (#4)

2020: 63 (#3)

-Three-Point Field Goals Made/Game

2016: 21 (#5)

2017: 21 (#5)

2019: 23 (#3)

2019: 27 (#1)

2020: 24 (#2)

National Records Leaderboard:

-Three-Point Field Goals Attempted/Season

2015-2016: 1113 (#16)

2016-2017: 1007 (#28)

2017-2018: 1043 (#23)

2018-2019: 1108 (#18)

2019-2020: 998 (#29)

-Three-Point Field Goals Made/Season

2015-2016: 348 (#17)

2016-2017: 324 (#27)

2017-2018: 360 (#14)

2018-2019: 368 (#12)

2019-2020: 330 (#24)

-Three-Point Field Goals Made/Game

2019: 27 (#6)

2020: 24 (#10)

Other

-The Supreme Coach Competition (Top 4 Finish, Mentored by George Karl and Bruce Parkhill)

-Offensive philosophy featured in The Wall Street Journal

-Game-planning and statistical analysis featured on Fox 9

-Minnesota Public Radio

-Bring Me The News

-Offensive philosophy featured on Basketball Talk Pro

-Program featured on MSHSL's John's Journal

-Program philosophy featured on MNSPN

-Dr. Dish

-Presenter at The Great Lakes Analytics in Sports Conference and Featured on their Podcast

-Guest Speaker/Presenter for Radius Athletics on their monthly webinar

-Presenter at The Midwest Sports Analytics Meeting

-Minnesota Basketball Coaching Podcast

-Book: The Hot Hand

-ClutchPoints Mini-Documentary

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