'The Well' plays host to Division I cage coaches

Sports Scope

By Thomas A. Kvamme

Over the past couple of weeks the turnstiles at "The Well" on the campus of Williston State College have been spinning.

The second-year facility is getting a workout and then some, as through Saturday the hardwood surface was used for six consecutive nights.

Prior to that, the Region 8 girls basketball tournament was held at the facility.

While the tournaments brought in a number of fans from around the area, the Region 13 women's junior college playoffs brought in three other teams, along with some special guests into the house.

On Friday, during the playoff game between the host Lady Tetons and Iowa Western Community College, among the interested spectators were three Division I women's basketball head coaches.

Making the trek here included Brenda Frese of the University of Maryland, Kristy Curry of Purdue and Sharon Baldwin-Tener of East Carolina.

Reportedly the coaches were all keeping an eye on a top prospect in Cherelle George, a 5-3 sophomore guard, suiting up for Iowa Western.

George no doubt impressed the scouts on Friday night as she poured in 35 points in leading her team to a win over the Lady Tetons.

While Frese could only stay for one game, she missed out on George being held to just six points as her team was clobbered by Lake Region State College of Devils Lake in the title game Saturday afternoon.

A TOP PROSPECT

Apparently the word was out on George, to have three head coaches take time out of busy schedules to travel here.

For Frese, in her third season at Maryland, it meant leaving home at 6 a.m. and arriving in Williston just a couple hours before the tip Friday night.

Frese, who moved to Maryland from her head post at the University of Minnesota, told us she had to return home for practice and the Selection Show which took place on Sunday.

Maryland (21-9), earned a bid and will enter the women's NCAA championship bracket with a first round game against Wisconsin-Green Bay on Sunday.

Curry was a little hesitant to talk with us, noting this was her first time in North Dakota.

Now in her sixth season at Purdue (16-12), she was also anxious to get back home as her team was "on the bubble."

The bubble didn't burst as her team was tabbed for post-season play as well with an opening game on Sunday against New Mexico.

Both teams are entered in opposite brackets of the Philadelphia Regional.

With the addition of "The Well," this has already proved to be a great addition.

Lake Region was slated to host, however due to the fact they didn't have a regulation size college court, the shift of play came here.

By being able to host the region tournament here, this then allowed for some big-time coaches to pay a visit.

NORTHERN IOWA

Former Mayville-Portland basketball standout Ben Jacobson, who was instrumental in recruiting Hunter Berg to play at the University of North Dakota, is now an assistant basketball coach at Northern Iowa.

His team earned the No. 11 seed and will open the NCAA playoffs against the University of Wisconsin on Friday.

HUGHES AT MONTANA

Meanwhile, Brad Hughes, who served as head men's basketball coach at Jamestown College for several years, is now an assistant at the University of Montana.

His team also earned an invite to the "Big Dance," as the Grizzlies open play Thursday against the No. 1 seed Washington.

March Madness is ready for liftoff.

HENNESSY TOP CAGER

Speaking of top performers, Williston's James Hennessy picked up a couple additional honors over the weekend in Fargo at the conclusion of the Class A state boys basketball tourney.

He will no doubt have a number of coaches from all levels seeking his name on their college roster.

Hennessy, who just last week was named the Senior Athlete for the West Region, went on to capture that same honor on the state level.

In addition, he was named a unanimous selection to the All-State tourney team.

He was joined on that honor squad by sophomore stand out Brian Qvale, who netted 27 points and pulled down 16 rebounds in the third-place win over Dickinson.

You can look for some good things from this 6-10 gentle giant over the next couple years.

SLOTSVE IS HONORED

While the players were honored, so was the man who guided them through the season.

Mark Slotsve earlier was tabbed Coach of the Year in the West Region and on Saturday night he was called out as the top state coach in the Class A ranks.

This speaks well for the WHS program.

We send out a Scope Salute to the players and Slotsve for earning this state-wide recognition.

scope@willistonherald.com|572-2165