The Road 2 State Report is the official weekly newsletter of Youth Basketball in Minnesota. Included are all the Road 2 State basketball activities in Minnesota, bringing informative and top-of-mind content to its readers / membership base.
The R2S Report will run during the winter basketball season culminating at the conclusion of the MYAS Grade State Basketball Championships.
ISSUE 2
EDITOR: Adam Klinkhammer
CONTENT CONTRIBUTOR: Jeffrey Schultz Aiden Whitcomb
SPECIAL THANKS: MYAS TYME Sports
Minneapolis, MN; November 8, 2024
The NBA and NCAA basketball seasons are underway, and our community-based travel seasons are right behind them.
We've launched the Road2State Report to amplify and elevate the many youth basketball programs throughout the state each week. We want to bring features and pieces that inform and excite our readers. The winter season will culminate at the conclusion of the MYAS Grade State Basketball Championships in March!
We'll visit different tournaments with our mascot, highlight programs and players, and provide complimentary streams of some games. Why? Because we want to celebrate the many community -based basketball organizations in the Minnesota Youth Basketball Alliance that are shining and impacting their communities.
To involve even more people, we're going to have a Free Throw Challenge that will include all travel and in-house/recreational teams throughout Minnesota, including YMCA of the North teams. Throughout the upcoming season, youth basketball players in grades 4-8 will have the opportunity to shoot free throws over 10 different sessions. The top scorers in each grade will qualify for the Free Throw Championship at the University of Minnesota on February 8 (boys) and February 9 (girls). This Free Throw Challenge runs throughout the 20242025
season (November-February) and is available free of charge, thanks to the partnership with the YMCA of the North and the MYAS Community Impact Fund.
This addition provides an experience beyond just playing the games that people can be excited about.
In each issue of the Road2State Report, we also want to celebrate the many incredible players from Minnesota and MYAS alumni who have developed into nationally recognized standouts, like Amir Coffey of the LA Clippers, Jackson McAndrew at Creighton University, and Tessa Johnson at the University of South Carolina. And we'll continue to stress the importance of boosting the number of officials and draw attention to misunderstood rules and tips to better interact with officials, coaches and other spectators.
October Scoop
Honoring MYAS Founder: We wanted to do something special to acknowledge Dan Klinkhammer, co-founder of the MYAS. His vision was key in getting our organization off the ground and helping take us to the next level. In recognition of his leadership, we have designated the MYAS conference room the “D.W. Klinkhammer War Room” since that's where we do a lot of our strategizing, collaborating, and decision-making on behalf of the organizations and athletes that we serve.
We believe that designation is fitting since Dan is a Vietnam veteran, and because many of our best ideas throughout the MYAS’s history have come from team members sitting around a table hashing out ideas and strategies. Needless to say, Klinkhammer’s legacy is broad and meaningful.
MYBA Basketball Coaches’ Clinic: On October 12, we held an awesome coaches’ clinic with over 100 participants from 15 different basketball associations. We had former Holy Angels standout Troy Bell speak, along with many other notable coaching leaders. It's good to get their perspective and highlight specific things for the youth volunteer coaches. We believe it's so important to make these opportunities accessible so that coaches can be equipped, trained, and empowered to better coach up the young athletes.
It's hard to believe that we've had such warm temperatures in November. But regardless of when the temperatures finally turn, we're excited about the winter sports season!
- MYAS Executive Director Dawson Blanck
By: Denny Smith
It’s not always easy being a sports parent, but here’s the kicker. It may not always be easy to be the son or daughter of a sports parent either. Being involved in competitive athletics is an emotional roller coaster, so let’s see if we can make the road make the road less bumpy.
In a previous Leaders Forum we shared the story of youth soccer referee who got fed up with the terrible behavior of some of the parents, so he caught incidents on video and spread it on social media. Although he may have been partially motivated to embarrass them, his major intent was to let them see themselves in action and do a little examination of conscience, and it began to work. As the parents observed the ridiculousness of their less than fourth grade behavior, they began to change. One mother wrote to the referee to let him know that she had gone four weeks without yelling at an official.
Most parents are pretty well behaved but like anything in life, there is always room for improvement. Here are three ideas that can help us be as positive as we can be and make participation in sports a rewarding experience for our kids and for ourselves as adult leaders.
Credit for this idea goes to Charlie Campbell of the Minnesota State High School league. He suggested having a conversation with your son or daughter and ask them,
“How would you like me to cheer for you?” Most kids aren’t going to ask you to scream at the refs or bad mouth the opponents or criticize their teammates. They will paint a pretty clear picture of their wishes, and adhering to their requests could produce some good results.
30 years after the fact, I received this insight from my son. He said that the worst part of playing for me was the ride home after practice, so let’s see what we can learn from that. The ride home after practice or a game does not have to be, nor should it be, a coaching session and most certainly should not include your critique of their shortcomings. If you do discuss the game or practice, focus any conversation on the positive, allow him or her to share frustration for a short time if need be, but immediately help direct the energy towards letting go and moving on. When you sense that he or she doesn’t want to talk about the game or practice, it might be wise to change the subject to the price of tea in China.
A third consideration is to keep winning in perspective. In fact, we open our Coaches and Parents Make the Difference seminars with this thought. “If you want to be a winner, you have to learn how to lose.” Former Marquette Basketball Coach and TV commentator Al McGuire shared this insight. “The greatest emotion is winning. The second greatest emotion is losing.” When speaking to athletes, I try to inspire them to strive for three things. Play hard, have fun, and above all, always be a class act. Perhaps Berton Braley’s Sportsman’s Prayer says it best.
In the battle that goes on through life, I ask but a field that is fair, A chance that is equal with all in the strife, The courage to strive and to dare; If I should win, let it be by the code,
With my faith and my honor held high.
And if I should lose, let me stand by the road, And cheer as the winners go by.
https://fevo-enterprise.com/group/MYAS
Nov 2 Nov 9 10
Dec 14 15
Jan 11 12
Jan 20
Feb 8
Jan 18 19
Feb 15 16
The state of sports officiating
We are experiencing a mass exodus of youth sport officials which is resulting in Cancelled games and reduced opportunities.
Of officials are 55 years old or older
Survey data provided by:
Rank verbal abuse as the #1 reason why officials quit
OFFICIALS’ CORNER - GIVE GRACE
Tony Schrepfer MYAS Director of Officiating
There are many moving parts to a basketball game. Most of the attention is directed towards the players on the floor and the game action. The men and women in the stripes are there to maintain the integrity of the competition and promote a fair playing field. However, as humans do, we all make mistakes and it’s easy to forget this when a call doesn’t go your way.
At the youth level, there is a lot of development occurring all at once. Coaches are learning how to
get the most out of their team and players are developing their skills. Officials are no exception to skill development. Officiating is a craft and as in life there are times when the most important development comes from making mistakes. As we wouldn’t yell and scream at a youth basketball player for making a mistake, please remember that officials are also developing.
It’s important to know that all MYAS officials have gone through an In-Person and/or Online training program so they have some formal training that includes a Background Check, Concussion Training and our Basketball Officials Test.
Good Luck on the Court in December!
PRO BALL
COLLEGE
PRO BALL
COLLEGE
Albany Youth Basketball Association
Alexandria Youth Basketball Club
The MYBA is a collaborative effort between the MYAS, the MYBA Basketball Board of Advisors, and youth basketball leaders from around the state working together to strengthen and enhance communitybased youth basketball during the winter season. For more info on the MYBA: https://www.myas.org/myba
Andover Girls Traveling Basketball Association
Andover Traveling Boys Basketball
Annandale Youth Basketball Association
Anoka-Ramsey Youth Basketball
Apple Valley Athletic Association
Armstrong Youth Basketball
Austin Youth Basketball
Becker Basketball
Belle Plaine Basketball
Bemidji Youth Basketball
Benilde-St. Margaret's
Big Lake Youth Basketball Association
Blaine Youth Boys Basketball
Blaine Youth Girls Basketball
Bloomington Blizzard Girls Basketball
Bloomington Jefferson Boys Basketball
Bloomington Kennedy Boys Basketball
Blue Earth Area Youth Basketball
Braham Youth Basketball
Brainerd Basketball
Buffalo Bison Boys Basketball
Buffalo Bison Girls Basketball
Burnsville Boys Basketball
Burnsville Girls Basketball
Byron Basketball Association
Cambridge-Isanti Bluejacket Basketball
Cannon Falls Youth Athletics
Centennial Basketball Association
Champlin Park Traveling Basketball Association
Chanhassen Athletic Association
Chaska Area Youth Basketball
Chisago Lakes Area Recreation Association
Cloquet Youth Basketball Association
Coon Rapids Cardinals Basketball Club
Cottage Grove Basketball
Crosby-Ironton Travel Basketball
Dassel-Cokato Youth Basketball Association
DaVinci Academy
Delano Basketball
Detroit Lakes Athletics
Dover-Eyota Eagles Basketball
Duluth Amateur Youth Basketball Association
Duluth East Boys Basketball
Duluth East Girls Basketball
Eagan Basketball Association
East Ridge Athletic Association
Eastview Basketball Boys
Eastview Basketball Girls
Eden Prairie Boys Basketball Association
Eden Prairie Girls Basketball Association
Edina Basketball Association
Elk River Boys Youth Basketball
Elk River Girls Youth Basketball
Esko Basketball
Fairmont Girls Basketball
Faribault Basketball Association
Farmington Youth Basketball Association
Fergus Falls Basketball
Foley Basketball Association
Forest Lake Hoops Club
Fridley Youth Sports Association
Glencoe-Silver Lake
Grand Rapids Area Basketball Association
Hastings Basketball
Hermantown Hawks Basketball
Hopkins Royals Boys Basketball Association
Hopkins Royals Girls Basketball Association
Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted Youth Basketball
Hudson Basketball Association
Hutchinson Youth Basketball Association
Inver Grove Heights Youth Basketball
Irondale Basketball Association
Jordan Basketball Association
Kasson-Mantorville Youth Basketball Association
Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial
Lakeville North Boys Basketball Association
Lakeville North Girls Basketball Association
Lakeville South Boys Basketball Association
Lakeville South Girls Basketball Association
Mahtomedi Basketball Association
Mankato Basketball Association
Marshall Hoops Club
Mayer Lutheran
Milaca Youth Basketball
Minneapolis Central
Minneapolis Christian Life
Minneapolis Farview Athletic Council
Minneapolis Heritage
Minneapolis Lakers
Minneapolis MLK
Minneapolis Phelps Falcons
Minnetonka Boys Basketball Association
Minnetonka Girls Travel Basketball
Monticello Center Court Club
Moorhead Youth Basketball Association
Mora Youth Basketball
Mounds View Basketball
MYAS Basketball
New London Spicer
New Prague Girls Basketball Association
New Prague Traveling Boys Basketball
North Heights Christian Academy
North St Paul Basketball
Northfield Boys Basketball Association
Northfield Girls Basketball Association
NRHEG Youth Basketball Association
Orono Basketball Association
Osseo-Maple Grove Basketball Association
Owatonna Basketball Association
Park Center Traveling Basketball
Pequot Lakes Basketball
Pierz Basketball
Pine City Basketball Association
Princeton Youth Basketball Association
Prior Lake Athletics for Youth
Proctor Youth Basketball Association
Randolph Basketball
Red Wing Basketball Association
Richfield Basketball Association
River Falls Basketball
Rochester Community Youth Basketball Association
Rochester Lourdes
Rockford Area Athletic Association
Rogers Area Youth Basketball Association
Rosemount Basketball
Roseville Youth Basketball Association
Sartell Area Youth Basketball Association
Sauk Rapids-Rice Youth Basketball Organization
Shakopee Boys Basketball Association
Shakopee Girls Basketball Association
South St. Paul
Spring Lake Park Panthers Basketball Club
St. Anthony Boosters Youth Basketball Association
St. Cloud Area Youth Basketball Association
St. Cloud Cathedral
St. Francis Basketball Association
St. Joe's
St. Louis Park Boys Basketball Association
St. Louis Park Girls Basketball Association
St. Michael's
St. Paul Travel
St. Peter Youth Basketball Association
St. Thomas Academy Boys
Stewartville Youth Basketball Association
Stillwater Boys Basketball
Stillwater Girls Basketball
STMA Boys Basketball
STMA Girls Basketball
Tartan Traveling Basketball
TCU Youth Traveling Basketball
Trinity Lutheran Waconia
Two Rivers Athletic Association
Waconia Basketball Association
Waseca Basketball Association
Watertown-Mayer Youth Basketball Association
Wayzata Boys Basketball Association
Wayzata Girls Basketball Association
West Side Boosters
Westonka Youth Basketball Association
White Bear Lake Basketball Association
Willmar Basketball Boosters Association
Woodbury Athletic Association
Zimmerman Youth Basketball Association
Zumbrota-Mazeppa Basketball
Summit hand therapist shares some snow-shoveling tips to help you protect your hands and wrists.
Many snow-shoveling injury prevention tips you’ll find concentrate on reducing risk to your back, your shoulders, or even your heart. But the gripping and lifting necessary to shovel snow can put your hands and wrists at risk of injury, too. From Summit hand therapist Jared Venier, OTR/L, here are some snowshoveling tips to protect your hands and wrists.
Before concentrating on your hands, get your whole body ready by warming up before tackling snow removal. “It’s such a heavy task, especially here in Minnesota. Joints from head to toe are involved,” said Venier. He recommends starting with a dynamic warm-up, such as a brisk walk or a few jumping jacks.
• Start with some easy hand stretches.
• Wear gloves with slip-resistant material, to prevent the shovel from sliding around.
• Look for gloves that add warmth without adding bulk. “Make sure your gloves are not too thick, because thick gloves can reduce your ability to grasp,” Venier said.
• If you have new gloves, break them in around the house for a couple of days before you go outside.
• Use a snowblower if you have one, and if you do have a snowblower, make sure it fits you and that you know how to use it. “I’ve seen people sustain injuries from improper snowblower use,” Venier said.
• When snow-shoveling, use a shovel that fits the job for a big job, like a driveway, you want a push shovel. A scoop shovel is fine for smaller projects, like a patio. “You may also want to look into using a sleigh shovel, which lets you push with more leg force, rather than depending on your upper body so heavily,” Venier said. In general, use the right tool for the job.
• During a sustained storm, shovel every 4 or 8 hours instead of waiting until the snow has stopped.
• Pace yourself and take breaks. “Your injury risk goes up significantly if you’re exhausted,” Venier said.
The function of our hands is integrated through our wrists and arms to our shoulders; a problem anywhere along our arm may have a significant impact on hand function and quality of life. If you experience an injury or uncomfortable symptoms, our fellowshiptrained hand and wrist surgeons are here to help. Summit physicians receive the highest levels of training and exclusively provide individualized care for conditions of the hand, wrist, and elbow.
Start your journey to better function and less pain. Find your hand expert, schedule an appointment online, or call us at (651) 968–5201 to schedule a consultation.
ONLY results from tournaments that are using RegisterPlay Brackets will be included in 2024-25.
The Game Results Index (GRI) is the Official Game Data Platform of the Minnesota Youth Basketball Alliance (MYBA). The goal of the GRI is to become the main database of all MN Youth Basketball game results and will be a major component of the MYAS Grade State Seeding Process. ONLY results from tournaments that are using RegisterPlay Brackets will be included in 2024-25.
The Game Results Index (GRI) is the Official Game Data Platform of the Minnesota Youth Basketball Alliance (MYBA). The goal of the GRI is to become the main database of all MN Youth Basketball game results and will be a major component of the MYAS Grade State Seeding Process. ONLY results from tournaments that are using RegisterPlay Brackets will be included in 2024-25.
DESIGNED FOR SMALLER SCHOOLS IN GREATER MINNESOTA
• 1A, 2A and 3A divisions offered - Follows MSHSL classification
• 3rd-8th Grade Boys and Girls
• Divisions will split into Tiers if more than 16 teams register
• $340 Entry Fee
2025 EVENT INFORMATION
• Monday, January 20th
• Team registration deadline: December 27th
• Location: Bloomington Kennedy
• Boys and Girls Divisions
• Grades 5th-8th
• A Division - Invite Only
• Three Game Guarantee
• Top Placing Teams from 2024 Grade State
• On-site medical personnel; Certified Officials
• Admissions is included in the registration
• $450/Team. NO ADMISSION FEE AT THE DOOR
The Game Results Index (GRI) is the Official Game Data Platform of the Minnesota Youth Basketball Alliance (MYBA). The goal of the GRI is to become the main database of all MN Youth Basketball game results and will be a major component of the MYAS Grade State Seeding Process. ONLY results from tournaments that are using RegisterPlay Brackets will be included in 2024-25.
The Game Results Index (GRI) is the Official Game Data Platform of the Minnesota Youth Basketball Alliance (MYBA). The goal of the GRI is to become the main database of all MN Youth Basketball game results and will be a major component of the MYAS Grade State Seeding Process. ONLY results from tournaments that are using RegisterPlay Brackets will be included in 2024-25.
The Game Results Index (GRI) is the Official Game Data Platform of the Minnesota Youth Basketball Alliance (MYBA). The goal of the GRI is to become the main database of all MN Youth Basketball game results and will be a major component of the MYAS Grade State Seeding Process. ONLY results from tournaments that are using RegisterPlay Brackets will be included in 2024-25.
The Game Results Index (GRI) is the Official Game Data Platform of the Minnesota Youth Basketball Alliance (MYBA). The goal of the GRI is to become the main database of all MN Youth Basketball game results and will be a major component of the MYAS Grade State Seeding Process. ONLY results from tournaments that are using RegisterPlay Brackets will be included in 2024-25.
The Game Results Index (GRI) is the Official Game Data Platform of the Minnesota Youth Basketball Alliance (MYBA). The goal of the GRI is to become the main database of all MN Youth Basketball game results and will be a major component of the MYAS Grade State Seeding Process. ONLY results from tournaments that are using RegisterPlay Brackets will be included in 2024-25.
The Game Results Index (GRI) is the Official Game Data Platform of the Minnesota Youth Basketball Alliance (MYBA). The goal of the GRI is to become the main database of all MN Youth Basketball game results and will be a major component of the MYAS Grade State Seeding Process. ONLY results from tournaments that are using RegisterPlay Brackets will be included in 2024-25.
The Game Results Index (GRI) is the Official Game Data Platform of the Minnesota Youth Basketball Alliance (MYBA). The goal of the GRI is to become the main database of all MN Youth Basketball game results and will be a major component of the MYAS Grade State Seeding Process. ONLY results from tournaments that are using RegisterPlay Brackets will be included in 2024-25.
The Game Results Index (GRI) is the Official Game Data Platform of the Minnesota Youth Basketball Alliance (MYBA). The goal of the GRI is to become the main database of all MN Youth Basketball game results and will be a major component of the MYAS Grade State Seeding Process. ONLY results from tournaments that are using RegisterPlay Brackets will be included in 2024-25.
The Game Results Index (GRI) is the Official Game Data Platform of the Minnesota Youth Basketball Alliance (MYBA). The goal of the GRI is to become the main database of all MN Youth Basketball game results and will be a major component of the MYAS Grade State Seeding Process. ONLY results from tournaments that are using RegisterPlay Brackets will be included in 2024-25.
ONLY results from tournaments that are using RegisterPlay Brackets will be included in 2024-25.
The Game Results Index (GRI) is the Official Game Data Platform of the Minnesota Youth Basketball Alliance (MYBA). The goal of the GRI is to become the main database of all MN Youth Basketball game results and will be a major component of the MYAS Grade State Seeding Process. ONLY results from tournaments that are using RegisterPlay Brackets will be included in 2024-25.
The Game Results Index (GRI) is the Official Game Data Platform of the Minnesota Youth Basketball Alliance (MYBA). The goal of the GRI is to become the main database of all MN Youth Basketball game results and will be a major component of the MYAS Grade State Seeding Process. ONLY results from tournaments that are using RegisterPlay Brackets will be included in 2024-25.
The Game Results Index (GRI) is the Official Game Data Platform of the Minnesota Youth Basketball Alliance (MYBA). The goal of the GRI is to become the main database of all MN Youth Basketball game results and will be a major component of the MYAS Grade State Seeding Process. ONLY results from tournaments that are using RegisterPlay Brackets will be included in 2024-25.
The Game Results Index (GRI) is the Official Game Data Platform of the Minnesota Youth Basketball Alliance (MYBA). The goal of the GRI is to become the main database of all MN Youth Basketball game results and will be a major component of the MYAS Grade State Seeding Process. ONLY results from tournaments that are using RegisterPlay Brackets will be included in 2024-25.
The Game Results Index (GRI) is the Official Game Data Platform of the Minnesota Youth Basketball Alliance (MYBA). The goal of the GRI is to become the main database of all MN Youth Basketball game results and will be a major component of the MYAS Grade State Seeding Process. ONLY results from tournaments that are using RegisterPlay Brackets will be included in 2024-25.
The Game Results Index (GRI) is the Official Game Data Platform of the Minnesota Youth Basketball Alliance (MYBA). The goal of the GRI is to become the main database of all MN Youth Basketball game results and will be a major component of the MYAS Grade State Seeding Process. ONLY results from tournaments that are using RegisterPlay Brackets will be included in 2024-25.
The Game Results Index (GRI) is the Official Game Data Platform of the Minnesota Youth Basketball Alliance (MYBA). The goal of the GRI is to become the main database of all MN Youth Basketball game results and will be a major component of the MYAS Grade State Seeding Process. ONLY results from tournaments that are using RegisterPlay Brackets will be included in 2024-25.
The Game Results Index (GRI) is the Official Game Data Platform of the Minnesota Youth Basketball Alliance (MYBA). The goal of the GRI is to become the main database of all MN Youth Basketball game results and will be a major component of the MYAS Grade State Seeding Process. ONLY results from tournaments that are using RegisterPlay Brackets will be included in 2024-25.
The Game Results Index (GRI) is the Official Game Data Platform of the Minnesota Youth Basketball Alliance (MYBA). The goal of the GRI is to become the main database of all MN Youth Basketball game results and will be a major component of the MYAS Grade State Seeding Process. ONLY results from tournaments that are using RegisterPlay Brackets will be included in 2024-25.
The Game Results Index (GRI) is the Official Game Data Platform of the Minnesota Youth Basketball Alliance (MYBA). The goal of the GRI is to become the main database of all MN Youth Basketball game results and will be a major component of the MYAS Grade State Seeding Process. ONLY results from tournaments that are using RegisterPlay Brackets will be included in 2024-25.
The Game Results Index (GRI) is the Official Game Data Platform of the Minnesota Youth Basketball Alliance (MYBA). The goal of the GRI is to become the main database of all MN Youth Basketball game results and will be a major component of the MYAS Grade State Seeding Process. ONLY results from tournaments that are using RegisterPlay Brackets will be included in 2024-25.
The Game Results Index (GRI) is the Official Game Data Platform of the Minnesota Youth Basketball Alliance (MYBA). The goal of the GRI is to become the main database of all MN Youth Basketball game results and will be a major component of the MYAS Grade State Seeding Process. ONLY results from tournaments that are using RegisterPlay Brackets will be included in 2024-25.
The Road 2 State Report is distributed to the entire MYAS/MYBA Database via email campaigns and social media. Want to create some buzz for your biz?
We are now offering promotional space in each Issue of the Report. Full, Half and Quarter page space available for any ad budget.
Interested? Contact Jeffrey Schultz at Jeffrey@myas.org
