Big Things Comin!

2017-18 Blaine Bengals Girls Basketball

WelcomeCongratulations on being selected to represent Blaine High School Girls Basketball

this season. The coaching staff looks forward to working with you and your continue development as a student-athlete. Many of you have put in many hours of work in

the offseason to better prepare you to begin this season. For all of you, it is time we put in many more hours during the season to reach our team goals. The time is

now! We must put in work to achieve success!

The information in your handbook will serve as a guide for the upcoming season. While the coaching staff has tried to include as much information as possible, we realize that not every situation can be anticipated. The coaching staff encourages

you to ask questions throughout the season.

Meet The CoachesProgram Head Coach:

Chris Brustuen 763-226-7758 (chris.brustuen@ahschools.us)

Varsity Assistant:Nathan Chapman (Nathan.Chapman@ahschools.us)

Varsity Assistant/JV Head Coach:Jason Wirtz (wirtzjason@yahoo.com)

Varsity Assistant/B-Team Head Coach:Taylor Lamberty (Tlamberty25@gmail.com)

9A Coach:Rick Swanson (Rick.Swanson@ahschools.us)

9/10 Assistant Coach: Jenny Chamberlain

As A PlayerIf you have questions or concerns, the first person you should talk to is

one of your coaches. We will always talk to you about situations concerning you. We will never talk with you concerning matters about

anyone else, nor will we talk with anyone else about matters concerning you.

If something is bothering you, don’t complain to another team member and do NOT complain to a parent! That will NOT resolve your

problem…make an appointment with one of your coaches. This is done by simply saying that you would like to speak with one of your coaches after practice, or a time as soon as possible where both are

available.

As A ParentAs parents, it is best to encourage your daughter to work through

problems on her own whenever possible. If a player is having trouble with her teammates or with her coach, sometimes the only thing

required is a little time. When a cool down period does not solve the problem, players are encouraged to talk with their teammate, their captain, or their coach. Players should remember that good timing and respectful attitude always precipitate better understanding. A

player should never demand that their concerns be taken up immediately, especially when the team or a coach is in the middle of

a basketball related event.

Code of Conduct

CommunicationAt times, it becomes necessary for parents to discuss their concerns with the coaching staff. As coaches, we are always willing to spend time with parents.

We only ask that you approach us at an appropriate time. Before or after games is NOT the right time to talk about problems. It’s best to ask the coach,

by phone, email, or in person, when a good time to talk over your concerns would be. Parents should never have to wait long for a response from a

coach.

Communication Continued...We do NOT talk about playing time with parents, period. We as coaches are

continually evaluating players and discussing game plans based on what we see as our best opportunity to win games. It is impossible for somebody that is not at practice, in

meetings, doing workouts with the team to see what we as coaches see on a daily basis. Parents are only getting one side of the story when talking with their kids.

Remember, it is not always the best player, but it is the right player in our opinion that will play.

We are always happy to hear any ideas you may have that will help our program! Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to work with your daughters.

General Expectations*Language needs to be appropriate at all times, we believe in representing our school

at all times.*Cell phones will not be allowed in the locker room prior to games and practices. Live

in the moment and put your phone down. If this becomes a problem coaches will have no problem coming up with a system to collect them before games.

*Winter hats, jackets, sweats or pants are required when leaving practice. Be prepared for weather.

*No junk food prior to games. Please pack healthy snacks. We believe in taking care of our body.

*Players are expected to ride the team bus to and from all games……unless prior clearance with team coach. We believe being part of the team means being with the

team.*Prior to varsity games, players should be sitting together in the stands to watch and

support lower level teams. The same is expected during varsity games for the younger players watching. We believe in supporting each other as a program.

Expectations Continued...*Players are expected to wear the proper clothing to school, practices, and games. We believe in representing ourselves with class. We believe looking

like a team, playing like a team is important.*Teammates are expected to be respectful to teammates, coaches, fellow

students, officials, and opponents at all times. We want to represent Blaine with class at all times. Character is defined by what you do when you think

nobody is watching.*There will be a team curfew for all players if coaches feel necessary to install

one. At this point as coaches we know you value your freedom and independence. Please think of the team and not put yourself or your behavior

above it.*Jewelry is not allowed on court for safety reasons. Keep your bling at home,

it could get lost or stolen as well.

Social Media* Social Media has become a huge issue in the world today. Once it is posted, it cannot be

taken back. Anything posted word or pictures, or done by text that is bullying, slander, negative in nature, or otherwise detrimental to the team or program you may be asked to

turn in your equipment and we will end your season. If it transfers into school you may receive suspension or expulsion according to district guidelines. If it becomes criminal it will be reported to law enforcement. Can you tell how serious I am about this? If somebody is

doing this to you, report it, do not respond to it!

SportsmanshipGood Sportsmanship:

Remember, we represent something that is bigger than ourselves. We are Bengals Girls Basketball, we are Blaine High School, and we are the community of Blaine, Minnesota!

Everywhere we go, we belong to something that is recognizable by others outside of our group. We ask that in being part of our group that we all carry the responsibility of representing Blaine Bengal Girls Basketball in

a positive way that we can all be proud of!Blaine High School strongly promotes the concept of good sportsmanship by players, coaches, cheerleaders,

and fans at all athletic events.Players and Coaches are to compete in a fair manner, treating their opponents and officials with dignity and

respect.Cheerleaders and the fans are encouraged to enthusiastically support their teams and players while

demonstrating respect for the efforts of the opponents and the officials.Spectators failing to follow the guidelines listed above will forfeit their right to attend the contest and

possibly all future contests.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Being a Student AthleteThe challenges of being a student athlete are many!

Set your priorities!Family/Faith, Academics, Athletics

You have a responsibility to the team to balance your demands of family, school, and basketball!

PracticeEach player will receive a practice schedule. Our gym alternates with the boys

program. Players are responsible for arranging their own transportation at times when practice schedules and the activity bus schedule do not coincide.

If a player has a hardship regarding rides please talk with the team captain and/or coach. While coaching staff couldn’t and shouldn’t possibly assume

responsibility for the transportation needs of all players, no player should be denied participation for lack of transportation. Let’s come up with a plan!

Late Practices

If we have late practice after school, generally starting at 4:45 PM, you have two choices:

1) Go home and come back to school in time to prepare for practice.2) Go to our team locker room. Do your homework, listen to headphones/music, be

with teammates.

*What you CANNOT DO is hang around upstairs or run around the school!

Games

Players should always arrive on time, dressed and ready to play. Remaining focused, displaying a positive, winning attitude and being attentive to the

coach’s instructions at all times are important attributes at game time.Players should always exhibit a respectful attitude toward their coaches, the officials, the opponents, and each other. Emotions often run high on game day. Self-control is one of the most important characteristics for athletes to

develop. Profanity is forbidden at all times.

Dress CodeAt practices, we will wear our reversible practice jerseys every day. All other garments will be of school and team colors. These include Carolina blue, navy blue, any shade of grey, white, black, and orange will be acceptable. Each player is given a reversible practice jersey and a pair of shorts to be used and returned at the end of the season. We are a team and should look like one.

Individual expression can come in other forms.

At home games, we can wear relaxed attire. We should feel comfortable at home. Most girls wear spirit wear or Blaine related t-shirts and sweatshirts. Again, I would prefer school colors.

At away games, we will wear more formal dress. Please do not wear jeans. Please do wear a nice outfit that is more fitting for formal occasions. Over the years there have been so many compliments about how our teams look when we go to other facilities. It is a little part of what has made me proud to be part of this program for so long. We go to other gyms looking like we are serious and ready to do work!

(Please do not feel that you need to go out and buy new outfits, nobody will know if you wear the same nice outfit for every away game. We only play them once on the road.)

InformationPlayers are expected to remain alert to information regarding changes in schedules, team meetings, special events, etc. Coaches will often give this

information at practices. Players are responsible for being present and paying attention. If a player misses all or part of a practice or meeting, it is their

responsibility to find out what they missed.

The girls’ basketball boosters club is in direct link to our team website: www.blainegirlsbasketball.com

AbsencesIf you are absent from practice for any reason, you must inform one of your coaches via phone, text, email, or voicemail at least 24 hours prior to the absence (illness can

be reported during the day of). Passing a message by means of another player or other third party is not acceptable. Any absence other than sickness, family

emergency, or injury, when written or a phone call is not given, will be treated as an unexcused absence. The consequences will be sitting at least one half of the next

contest. If a pattern emerges the consequences will increase to a full game, and/or termination from the team.

All athletes must be in school by fourth hour in order to participate in practices or games. If you are absent from practice a day prior to a game or come to school late on

a game day you will not be eligible to start or play the first half of that contest. In-school suspensions, suspensions, and detention are not excused absences. If a

player has earned one of the above, she will not be allowed to practice on that day and will also face the possibility of losing playing time in the next contest(s). This type of behavior shows the program that you are putting yourself above the team and will

not be acceptable.

Injury ProcedureIf an injury occurs during practice or a game the coaching staff will make every effort to contact you via phone or email. If there is an emergency and we are not able to contact you we will get your daughter to a doctor if you consent to this. A trainer is present at all varsity/junior varsity games. The trainer will not treat non-emergency situations. If a problem surfaces during the night, you can contact NovaCare 763-784-2340 and leave a message. A trainer will contact you in the morning. When a player is injured and not able to compete she is expected to attend practice in full practice gear/partial practice gear or according to the trainer. If a player is hurt at practice, I remind you, DO NOT leave the gym alone! Get a coach’s attention and we will assist you or get the trainer to assist you and your injury.Lisa Jensen: Blaine’s Athletic Trainer

Equipment care:

All equipment provided through the school is funded through the Bengal Girls Basketball Booster Club. It is important that this equipment be treated and cared for as if it were your own. One of the reasons for fundraising is to provide necessary funds for top quality uniforms and equipment. Care for game equipment should be done at home with careful reading of all instructions. Please wash game and practice jerseys as needed. Please avoid heat with these articles as they do shrink and can melt numbers and wording. If there is a tear or other damaged equipment please notify the coaching staff so that it can be repaired or replaced as needed. Lost jerseys, whether practice or game jerseys, will need to be replaced at the expense of the player.

Theft

Any player who steals from another teammate will be dismissed from the team for the remainder of the season. We believe in respect for one another

and each other’s property.

Chemical UseChemical use by players will result in the penalties imposed by the Minnesota High School League. We as a coaching staff fully support these penalties and

will have zero tolerance toward chemical use of any kind. This includes: drugs, alcohol and any type of tobacco. It is our belief that chemical use is damaging to kids mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing and inhibits performance

and growth.

CaptainsCaptains are chosen by coaching staff and players alike. Coaches reserve the

right for the final say in the captain picks. The leadership council also has a say in the role and number of captains that we will have each season. Captains can be removed from duty at any point in the season, if in the opinion of the coaching

staff they are providing poor leadership or have broken team rules.This year Captains were chosen Thursday following our tryouts. The team will have three captains this year. Normally, the girls select one and the coaches

select one captain each. This year the voting was very close and the three girls representing us were all selected by their peers and approved by the coaches.

2017-2018 Team Captains: Kiana Erickson, Theresa Grace Mbanefo, Jordan Anderson

Lettering PolicyA player shall receive a varsity letter if one or more of the following

conditions is accomplished. 1. A player competes in at least 12 Varsity games.

2. A player shall earn a varsity letter if she is on a state tournament roster.

3. A player may earn a varsity letter if she is injured, and in the opinion of the coaches she would have played enough during the season, had she not been injured.

4. A player earns a varsity letter if she is a senior and has followed the rules of the program.

5. Coaches also reserve the right to letter a JV/Varsity manager for service provided to the team.

• Note: A player or manager must finish the season in good standing with the coaching staff.

All Final decisions on lettering are up to the coaches’ discretion.

Parent InvolvementThe Blaine Girls Basketball program has been blessed with many supportive parents

willing to help when necessary. Coaches are extremely grateful for parents who constructively give back to their programs.

High school is a time when players start to mature and it becomes necessary for them to take on more responsibility for themselves. The most important role parents can

take is a positive attitude, and to encourage their player to do so as well.

Parents can become involved in varying degrees. A lot of work goes on behind the scenes to provide the players with the rich experience of high school basketball.

Responsibility for handling many of these details has been assumed by the Blaine Girls Basketball Booster Club which cooperates closely with the coaching staff.

Booster Club

All parents are encouraged to join the booster club. Any level of commitment is appreciated. This could mean helping out with one project to becoming an officer/board member and devoting a great

deal of time to help the program. I urge you to help when and where you can.

We need you! The program needs you!

Please talk to a current booster member to join and give support.

Generosity for CoachesAs parents and fans, each of you is entitled to your own opinions about game strategy, personnel, etc. it is important that these opinions do not contribute to a negative attitude toward the decisions made by the

coaching staff. Often, coaches are forced to make very painful decisions. Please remember that the coaching staff cares about each player and never deliberately hurts a player by word or action.

Please remember that coaches strive to make the best possible decisions for the greatest good. Individual players and their families aren’t aware of the factors that go into coaching decisions. Parents aren’t aware of

the things coaches observe at practice and elsewhere.

Unfortunately, coaches are human. Though unintentionally, we sometimes make mistakes. Many times a coach is not even aware that their actions or words have troubled a player. It can be difficult to know the best way to handle each and every player because individuals vary and some players are more difficult to read than others.

As coaches, our aim is to accept each player for who they are, and to help them develop as a player and as a person. We try to be generous in our attitudes toward your daughters. We would appreciate it very much if

you as parents could try to be generous in your estimation of us.

Generosity for OfficialsOfficials too have a difficult job. Often they play a thankless role in each game. Far too

often games are judged based on how many calls went our way or the opponent's way. We as coaches sometimes have different angles on plays, fans certainly have

different angles on plays as the officials on court making calls. Officials are also human and do make mistakes. From your view point there are plays

that you absolutely can see more of the game than the officials. These men and women are doing their very best that they can.

Please refrain from overly expressing your frustration with calls to the point that you have to be removed from the game. Please remember that we all represent Blaine

wherever we go. I have yet to see a game that a single play results in a loss. There was a lot of basketball that lead up to that play. Please support your team with

sportsmanship in mind.

NutritionPlayers are encouraged to eat meals that are going to be beneficial to their

training schedules and athletic performance. A good pregame meal consist of high carbs and should be consumed on the evening prior to competition.

Overall, a healthy balance of foods should be consumed through the entire season.

Hazardous foods to be avoided during the season include: fatty foods, and high sugar and or sodium foods. Some of these include, but are not limited to:

fast foods, bacon, sausage, candy, chocolates (candy bars), pop, hot dogs (especially before games), potato chips and other similar foods.

Positive foods include the following: Fish, almonds, walnuts, pecans, beans, tuna, salmon, red meat, protein bars, cottage cheese, eggs, chicken, and

turkey. Fresh fruits, vegetables, soups, applesauce, plums, grapes, raisins, cantaloupe, apples, bananas, and olive oil are also better for you than

hazardous foods listed above.Fluids that are good: water, sports drinks low in sugar (G2), Pedialyte

(particularly after illness)*NO SODA POP DURING SEASON!

ConclusionThe coaches and players are very excited about this season. We have a tremendous opportunity placed before us. We have a fresh start to a new season. We see great things happening for us if we all work together. There have been hundreds of hours put into preparation for this season by all of us. Let’s work together to make this a

championship season, both on and off the court. If you are willing to commit to putting the team and the program first, then please make sure you have read and

understand this information in this packet. The next thing that you need to do is sign our agreement that states that you are willing to follow our expectations.

“Big Things Comin!”

Blaine Girls Basketball Policies and Procedures

Name________________________________Grade_______Team____________Address__________________________________________

Player Cell number or Parent phone number_________________________Player email or Parent email______________________________________

Practices will start promptly at 2:45 pm, or 4:45 based on schedule. If you must miss a practice or game, it is your responsibility to contact the coaches in advance to let them know of your absence.

Failure to do so will result in:1st time: one half game suspension

2nd time: full game suspension3rd time: Possible expulsion from the team

School policy states that you must be in school by 11:00 am in order to practice or play in a game on that day. All team members must ride the bus to and from the away games. Blaine Senior High School follows the MSHSL rules for discipline and rule

violations. It is your responsibility to know these rules www.mshsl.orgThe Minnesota State High School League rules are in effect for the entire year. Inappropriate conduct, failing to make progress toward graduation, or skipping practice/games will cause ineligibility for a game, period of games, or expulsion for the team.You are a representative of Blaine Girls Basketball, Blaine High School, and the Community of Blaine, please behave and dress

accordingly.In signing this form, I understand and agree to abide by the above statements.

Signed__________________________________(athlete)Signed__________________________________(Parents)