MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL - The Minnesota Lynx are proud to announce the two schools that have earned the distinction of receiving the third "Team of the Week" awards for the 2008-09 High School season, which includes games played through Dec. 25.In conjunction with the "Lynx Ballerz Tour Live," the "Lynx Team of the Week" initiative is part of an off-season program that the Minnesota Lynx have brought back this winter in an effort to give back to the basketball community in the state of Minnesota. The "Lynx Team of the Week" initiative celebrates excellence in the classroom, in the community, and on the court.
This is the third consecutive week that the Minnesota Lynx have recognized one girls team and one boys team. The program will continue every week throughout the high school regular season.
"I have coached basketball at every level, including winning the Class A state championship when I coached the boys basketball team at De La Salle High School," said Lynx head coach Don Zierden. "The one thing that has impressed me most is the amount of talent that there is in the high schools here in Minnesota. We have some of the nation's best teams playing right here in our own backyard. I am thrilled that the Minnesota Lynx are continuing their outreach to the high schools so these teams and athletes are able to receive the recognition that they deserve for their achievements on the court, in the classroom, and in the community."
This week's winners:
Boys Basketball
Class AA's Plainview-Elgin-Millville is the Boys Lynx Team of the Week after a trio of impressive wins last week. The Bulldogs are off to a 5-0 start to their 2008-09 season and rank third in the latest Class AA rankings distributed by Minnesota Basketball News. The Bulldogs kicked off their impressive week on Saturday, Dec. 20, with a 71-60 win over the Chatfield Gophers. Two nights later, Plainview-Elgin-Millville played host to Zumbrota-Mazeppa, defeating the Cougars 63-50 to improve to 4-0 on the season. The Bulldogs completed their perfect week the next night with a 59-37 win over St. Charles. For the season, the Bulldogs sit atop the Three Rivers Conference with a conference record of 4-0, and are averaging 73.6 ppg compared to only allowing 46.8 ppg.
Girls Basketball
The Ada-Borup Cougars are the Girls Lynx Team of the Week after a pair of wins last week. The Cougars are off to a 7-1 start to their 2008-09 season, including an astonishing 48.5-point margin of victory. After finishing the 2007-08 high school season 31-1, culminating in a Class A State Championship, this year's Ada-Borup squad is off to a running start in its quest to repeat as champions. The Cougars' week began on Friday, Dec. 19, when they played host to the Greyhounds of Fosston High School. Ada-Borup got up early in the first half and never looked back, cruising to a 92-46 win. Three nights later, the Cougars closed out their perfect week with a 75-24 crushing of host Ulen-Hitterdal. The Cougars are led by senior standout Nicole Smart, who is the daughter of head coach David Smart. Ada-Borup currently sits third in the latest Class A poll distributed by Minnesota Basketball News.
Each team will receive a Certificate of Merit, courtesy of the Minnesota Lynx, along with a spotlight on Lynxbasketball.com. All 24 teams will also be invited to a Lynx game during their season next summer.
Season and group tickets for the 2009 season are now on sale. For information on ticket packages, call 612-673-8400, e-mail tickets@lynxbasketball.com, or visit the Lynx website at www.lynxbasketball.com.
About the Lynx Ballerz Tour Live
The Lynx Ballerz Tour Live will stop at various girls high school basketball games over a period of 13 weeks, bringing the experience of the WNBA to high school gyms across the state of Minnesota. At each stop, the Lynx will meet with players, families and fans, bringing the fun and excitement of Lynx Basketball, including autograph sessions, raffle prizes, Lynx T-shirt giveaways, and even basketball clinics at select stops. The Tour will shine the spotlight on girls basketball at local high schools, where the future stars of the WNBA are already competing.
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