Pine City Youth Hoops program gains steam
The Pine City Youth Hoops program has had another successful year. There were 114 boys and girls grades 3 through 6 who participated this past season. The teams could be seen practicing all days of the week in the evenings at the elementary school facilities. The teams also participated in many tournaments over the weekends.
The Mora Developmental League was a big success, and if you went there you could see many green jerseys playing on the courts. Pine City had great representation at these leagues and tournaments.
The volunteer coaches this past season were as followers: Mike Johnson, Alysha Kwapick, Andrea Mangan, Padrick Judd, Ben Bloomquist, Mandie Mishler, Andrea Kuschel, Dylan Kringstad, Mike Anderson, Ross Haverhals, Kelley Lasiewicz, Forest Caughlin, Kyle Allen, Austin Newman, Heidi Burger, Chase Hancock, Jason Wiener, and Scott Milliman.
The program teaches both life skills and basketball skills, building kids character as well as ability. John Wooden once said, “Ability may get you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there.”
Coaches and parents alike had many positive things to say about the program. “It was rewarding to coach the fourth grade girls this season. It was fun to see their skills improve as the season went on, especially with shooting and defensive aggressiveness.,” reflected coach Andrea Mangan. “I enjoyed getting to know them.”
Head Dragon Varsity Girls Basketball Coach Padrick Judd (and volunteer Hoops coach) said that it has been an honor to coach the group of student-athletes. “I have been blessed and fortunate to get to work with this group. We had a lot of great memories: milestone accomplishments, big wins, wild games that sometimes went our way and sometimes didn’t,” said Judd. “This season has been amazing, and I am so proud of the way our players have grown and developed in both the classroom and on the court. This season brought many accomplishments, but I am most proud of how much these girls truly care about each other. The life moments in practices, before and after games, I wouldn’t trade that for the world. Go Dragons!”
Parent and coach, Ross Haverhals, said that as a parent and a coach he’s always appreciated the emphasis Hoops places on players developing as people as well as athletes. “It’s so much fun to watch players grow skill-wise and also in playing as a team, which basketball is such a great sport for that to happen,” he added. “I’d keep an eye on this current third grade boys team; the class of 2033 has a lot of potential.”
“Starting the season, we had players who were barely able to dribble and walk,” noted coach Kelley Lasiewicz. “By the end, they were dribbling up and down the court, passing to their teammates and scoring baskets. It was amazing watching the boys take to the sport, work hard and develop not only in their skills, but in teamwork as well.”
The Hoops program would like to thank their sponsors, as much of this would not be possible without them. A huge thank you to Atscott Manufacturing, Premier Sealcoating, Farmer’s Insurance, Village Bar and Grill, Joe and Tammy Plasek, Pine Area Lions, Pine City Lions, and Rock Creek Lions.
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