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Tipping-off Jr. WNBA/Jr. NBA league play in Sacramento, this event emphasized the program's youth basketball triangle of influence of players, parents and coaches. McHugh, joined by Monarchs Assistant Coach Michele Cherry and Monarchs guard Ruthie Bolton, treated Sacramento area youth basketball coaches to a series of basketball skills and drills and interactive question and answer sessions about basketball experiences, philosophies and approaches to coaching.
The Jr. WNBA/Jr. NBA, presented by Gatorade and Nike, is a support organization for recreational youth basketball leagues in the United States, Canada and abroad that provides programs designed to connect players, parents and coaches in an effort to heighten awareness and participation in youth basketball. Approximately 1,300 youth basketball leagues and 35,000 teams (for boys and girls, ages 5-14 years-old) are 2001-2002 Jr. WNBA/Jr. NBA members. 35,000 head coaches and 350,000 players and their parents receive program components. The cornerstone of the Jr. WNBA/Jr. NBA support program is a series of instructional guides created by nationally-recognized youth sports expert Rick Wolff along with the Jr. WNBA/Jr. NBA Advisory Council -- Ray Allen (All-Star, Milwaukee Bucks), Tina Thompson (All-Star, Houston Comets), Glenn "Doc" Rivers (Head Coach, New York Magic), Nell Fortner (Head Coach, Indiana Pacers) and Bill Walton (Member, Basketball Hall of Fame).
The Jr. WNBA/Jr. NBA National Youth Basketball Partnership, featuring four of the countrys leading national youth organizations, also supports the Jr. WNBA/Jr. NBA program. The Boys & Girls Clubs of America, National Recreation and Park Association, National Association of Police Athletic Leagues and the Jewish Community Centers of North America provided critical input into the development of the new initiative, as well as a communication link to local leagues. Jr. WNBA/Jr. NBA membership is not limited to leagues affiliated with the Partnership though, as hundreds of member leagues have other or no national affiliations.
The Jr. WNBA/Jr. NBA has also introduced a first-time ever youth basketball All-Star program, where selected players from Jr. WNBA/Jr. NBA member leagues will be honored as Local, Regional and National All-Stars. The National All-Stars, made up of five boys and five girls ages 11-12 years old will be honored guests at NBA All-Star 2002 in Philadelphia where they will take part in various All-Star festivities. Sacramento is happy to announce that Hayley Hollenga for the Boys and Girls Club of America has been selected to represent the Sacramento Jr. WNBA/Jr. NBA program at this year's Jr. WNBA/Jr. NBA National All-Stars program. Below is a list of the other youth that will be joining Hollenga in Philadelphia on February 8:
2002 Jr. WNBA/Jr. NBA National All-Stars
Hayley Hollenga (Sacramento, Jr. Kings/Jr. Monarchs) - BGCA
Ausha Hartley (Houston / Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA, Rockets/Comets) - Parks & Rec
Cara Laslovich (MT - Seattle / Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA, Sonics/Storm) - Parks & Rec
Kelly Kosiek (Philly / Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA, Sixers) - PAL
Veronica Burciaga (San Antonio, Spurs Drug Free League) - BGCA
Kendall Pickney (Dallas, Jr. Mavericks) - BGCA
Kyle Snodgrass (Washington, DC, Jr. Wizards/Jr. Mystics) - BGCA
Montana Brown (Orlando, Jr. Magic/Jr. Miracle) - PAL
Oscar Bellfield (Clippers, Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA) - Parks & Rec
Ryan Holcomb (Phoenix, Jr. Suns) - BGCA
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