UNews - Southern Alberta High School Basketball League

New Horns recruit has historical ties to program

trevor.kenney — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 20:53:13 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Pronghorn women’s basketball program announced the signing of its second recruit for the 2015-16 season with the commitment of local all-star Katie Keith.

Keith, a 6’0 guard, has starred for Chinook High School for the past three years and will become a third generation Pronghorn. Her mother, Dawn, played for the Pronghorns from 1984 to 1986 and her grandfather, R.A. Fry, was the head coach for the men’s program during the team’s first season in 1969-70 and a three-year stretch from 1973 to 1976.

“Katie is an integral recruit for us, her athleticism and length will enable us to be much more competitive with the top teams in Canada West,” says Pronghorns head coach Erin McAleenan.

The Chinook High School product has had a solid start to her senior season, averaging 19.3 points per game through her first six games.

During her grade 10 and 11 seasons with Chinook, she was part of two 4A Zone winning teams and last year the Coyotes finished second at Provincials. She was also named a Southern Alberta High School Basketball League (SAHSBL) first team all-star last year, while averaging 12.6 points per game for the Coyotes.

“Katie’s court sense and ability to lead a team became very clear last spring on our U17 PEBL Jr Horns team,” says McAleenan.

Keith was a member of the U17 Alberta Provincial team that finished third at Nationals in 2014 and played for McAleenan on the first U17 PEBL Jr Horns team last spring, starting every game.

“She was consistently a leader for our team and I knew that we needed to have her to take our team to the next level.”

Horns already add recruit to fold

trevor.kenney — Tue, 20 Jan 2015 17:22:07 +0000

Heading into the final stretch of the 2014-15 Canada West season, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Pronghorns women’s basketball program has taken a moment to look to the future, announcing the program's first commitment for the 2015-16 season - southern Alberta product Teesha Olson.

“Teesha is a key piece of the puzzle for our program as a long, athletic guard that can slash to the rim and shoot the three,” says McAleenan. “Her work ethic, determination, and commitment will be integral for our program as we strive for excellence both on and off the court.”

A Magrath native, Olson has been named a Southern Alberta High School Basketball League (SAHSBL) second team all-star in both her grade 10 and 11 seasons and was top five in league scoring during both seasons.

The five-foot-nine inch guard averaged 16 points per game in grade 10, 15.4 points per game in grade 11 and through four league games this season she is leading the SAHSBL in scoring, averaging 21 points per contest.

In addition to her prowess on the basketball court, Olson has also excelled on the track. Last year, she was the female track MVP for Magrath High School, qualifying for zones in long jump and triple jump, and qualifying for provincials in triple jump.

Demonstrating a balance of being an exceptional student-athlete in high school, Olson has achieved honour roll status in both grade 10 and 11 and received the top overall academic achievement at Magrath High School in her grade each year.

McAleenan had the opportunity to become familiar with Olson when she coached her last spring with the Jr. Horns U17 PEBL team.

“We had the opportunity to see Teesha’s coachability and work ethic on our U17 PEBL Jr Horns team last spring, and that sealed the deal that we needed to have her in our program,” says McAleenan. “I am thrilled to sign such an elite level and well-rounded student-athlete like Teesha.”

Horns basketball lands local recruit for 2014-15

trevor.kenney — Tue, 29 Oct 2013 21:52:13 +0000

Five days before the start of the 2013-14 Canada West season, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Pronghorns men’s basketball team is already looking to the future, adding its first commitment for the 2014-15 season.

First-year Pronghorn bench boss Mike Hansen announced today the signing of local product Mike Pierzchala.

Pierzchala, a six-foot-two guard, is entering his final season of high school basketball with the Winston Churchill Bulldogs and looking to build off a stellar grade 11 campaign. Last season, he was named a Southern Alberta High School Basketball League first team all-star and led the Bulldogs in scoring, averaging 21.3 points per game.

"Mike is a versatile and skilled player, which is rare to find in a high school player,” says Hansen. “His work ethic is tremendous and he has continually improved over the past three years.”

During his high school career, Pierzchala has been a part of two Bulldog teams that have earned berths in the Alberta high school provincial championships. During his grade 10 season, the Bulldogs went to 3A provincials and then last season he was part of the first ever Bulldog team to go to the 4A provincials.

In addition to his high school success, Pierzchala represented Alberta this past summer as a member of the Alberta provincial team that competed at the Canada Summer Games in Sherbrooke, Que.

Pierzchala has also played in the Junior Horns program, and attended the Fab 48 tournament in Las Vegas.

“To have Mike commit to us early means a lot to me personally and to our program. Our success has always hinged upon the skill of our local players and Mike is no exception," says Hansen. “He represents a bright future for the Horns."

The Pronghorns will open the Canada West season this weekend with road games against the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Fraser Valley Cascades and Trinity Western ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Spartans.

Horns women's basketball adds recruits

trevor.kenney — Wed, 11 Sep 2013 17:25:31 +0000

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge women’s basketball head coach Erin McAleenan has announced the signing of five incoming recruits for the upcoming Canada West season.

Joining the ‘Horns for the 2013-14 season are local products Mariah Miller and Larsyn Webster, as well as Sara Simovic (Nanaimo, B.C.), Kendra Lee (Courtenay, B.C.) and Erin James (Calgary, Alta.).

During her first season at the helm of the Pronghorns women’s basketball program, McAleenan led the team to its first double digit win season since the 1994-95 season. The Horns will look to take steps forward with the help of this talented new crop of student-athletes.

Miller comes to the U of L after a successful high school career with the Catholic Central High School Cougars, where she was a multiple Southern Alberta High School Basketball League (SAHBL) all-star. During her senior season, Miller finished fifth in SAHBL scoring with 15.7 points per game and was named a league first team all-star. She was also a second team all-star in her grade 11 season.

At 5’10”, Miller will also provide some versatility for the ‘Horns with her ability to play both guard and forward and enters her collegiate career with elite level experience with the Provincial and Canadian Centre for Performance (CP) programs. McAleenan was the head coach for the Alberta U17 team last summer for which Miller played.

A true student-athlete, Miller was on the honour roll throughout her high school career.

“We are thrilled to have the commitment of a local student-athlete such as Mariah,” says McAleenan. “Her athleticism, size and ability to shoot the ball will all be an asset to our program.”

Also named a SAHBL first team all-star last season, Webster joins the ‘Horns after being a vital member of the Cardston Cougars 4A Provincial Championship team. As the Cougars’ starting point guard, Webster averaged 11.2 points in 14 league games and was the second leading scorer for the Cougars.

“We are very happy that Larsyn will be joining our program this fall,” says McAleenan. “She is another local student-athlete with a strong work ethic and is committed to putting in the time outside of practice. Larsyn’s ability to shoot the ball and create for others are some of the strengths she adds to our program.”

Vancouver Island Provincial MVP Sara Simovic will also joins the ‘Horns backcourt this season after a stellar senior campaign at Wellington Secondary (Nanaimo, BC). After averaging 22 points, seven assists and six rebounds a game in her final high school season, Simovic played in the B.C. High School All-Star game in Langley.

She also comes to the ‘Horns with vast elite level experience as part of B.C. Provincial teams from the U14 program up to the U17 age group.

“We are very pleased to have Sara joining our program this fall; she has a high basketball IQ and is a very hard worker,” says McAleenan. “Sara’s determination to be successful will definitely add a lot to our program both on and off the court.”

Another Vancouver Island standout who is making the trip east is G.P. Vanier Secondary guard Kendra Lee. In addition to averaging 26 points per game last season, she also set a new single game points record for the Vancouver Island tournament, scoring 44 points in a game.

Lee has shown the ability to be equally successful in the classroom making the honour roll throughout high school.

“Kendra’s ability to shoot the ball will really add depth to our offense as we move to the long FIBA 3pt line this season,” says McAleenan. “She has very good basketball game sense, and is a really hard worker. Kendra demonstrates all of the qualities we look for in our student-athletes and we are thrilled that she has chosen to become a Horn.”

Bishop O’Byrne point guard Erin James rounds out the 2013-14 ‘Horns' recruiting class and will be a dynamic member of the ‘Horns back court. James co-captained her Bishop O’Byrne team to a seventh place finish at the 4A Provincial tournament, while averaging more than 10 points and assists per game.

Another solid student in the classroom, James made the honour roll in both grade 11 and 12.

“Erin is a very well-rounded young lady who brings a strong work ethic and lots of energy to our program,” says McAleenan. “Her ball-handling abilities and her court-sense make her a great addition to our backcourt.”

The ‘Horns open camp this week and see their first non-conference action during the first week of October with a three-game tournament at Queen’s ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ. The Canada West season kicks off the first weekend of November.

Horns bolstered by Kodiak recruits

trevor.kenney — Tue, 28 May 2013 16:02:17 +0000

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Pronghorns head coach Mike Hansen has begun re-tooling the men's basketball roster with the signing of a pair of ACAC all-stars from the Lethbridge College Kodiaks.

Hansen announced the signing of southern Alberta products Rob Olsen and Jared Baker on Monday afternoon, wlecoming a pair of players whom Hansen previously coached at Lethbridge College during the 2009-2010 season. Olsen and Baker then embarked on their two year missions for the Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints. This past fall, both returned to the Kodiaks program and did not miss a beat, finishing one-two in team scoring.

Both Olsen and Baker have also excelled in the classroom, with each being named CCAA Academic All-Canadians this past season.

Olsen, a 6'1" guard from Cardston, Alta., finished fifth in South Division scoring averaging just over 19 points per game and was named an ACAC first team all-star, while shooting 49.6% from the field and over 47% from behind the arc. He also added 6 rebounds per game and 2.39 assists.

Prior to joining the Kodiaks, Olsen starred for the Cardston Cougars and was named the Southern Alberta High School Basketball League MVP in his final season (2008-09).

"Rob is an incredible talent and an outstanding young man," says Hansen. "I believe Rob is the best player to come out of Cardston since his uncle and former high school coach Ken McMurray. Ken was an all-Canadian for the Horns and I'm confident that Rob will have the same success with us."

Hansen adds that Olsen is also very accomplished off the court and represents the ideal of the Canada West student-athlete.

"Rob represents everything we look for in a recruit, he was not only an all-star, but a CCAA Academic All-Canadian. He is a character kid and will be a great ambassador for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge."

A Raymond, Alta., product, Jared Baker was named an ACAC second-team all-star this past season and averaged 15 points per game for the Kodiaks, while adding just under 6 rebounds and 3.13 assists per contest.

In high school, Baker was a two sport athlete, winning provincial titles for the Raymond Comets in both football (2008) and Basketball (2009). He led the Southern Alberta High School Basketball League in scoring in grade 11 with 24.1 points per game and was named league MVP in 2007-08.

"I'm very excited to be coaching Jared again," says Hansen. "He is such an incredible competitor and is willing to do whatever is needed for a team to be successful.

"He has evolved from being a shooter to an all-around player. Jared has a high basketball IQ and the success he's experienced playing for Todd Heggie's Raymond teams shows in the way he carries himself. His CCAA Academic All-Canadian also demonstrates that Jared expects excellence for himself."

The men's basketball team will look to round out its 2013-14 recruiting class in the coming weeks.

Tollestrup to join Horns

trevor.kenney — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 21:05:40 +0000

The 2012 Southern Alberta High School Basketball League (SAHSBL) most valuable player is coming to play for the Pronghorns women's basketball program.

Jackie Tollestrup, last season's southern Alberta MVP, committed to the Horns and head coach Erin McAleenan earlier this week.

"We are thrilled that Jackie has decided to stay home and be a Pronghorn this fall," says McAleenan. "After having been a multi-sport athlete, I am really looking forward to the possibilities with her potential now that she has committed to focus on basketball."

"Jackie is a very hard working and talented basketball player. Her relentless energy and competitiveness on the court will definitely add a lot to our program."

Tollestrup, a 5'8" guard from Raymond, just completed a successful high school career with the Raymond Comets. She led the Comets to a perfect 14-0 record in the Southern Alberta High School Basketball League, and will be quite well acquainted with her new home at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge as the Comets won the 4A Zone championships on the 1^st Choice Savings Centre floor this past spring.

The Comets went on to claim the bronze medal at the Alberta Schools Association Athletics (ASAA) provincial championships by beating Spruce Grove Composite in the third place game. She was also part of the provincial bronze medal winning team in 2010.

During her senior season, Tollestrup led the SAHSBL league in scoring, averaging 20.7 points per game. She was also third in league scoring in grade 11, averaging more than 16 points per game.

The Pronghorn women's basketball team will open training camp Aug. 27 and tip-off the Canada West conference schedule Nov. 4 by hosting the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Winnipeg.

Rollingson made his mark

trevor.kenney — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 18:59:00 +0000

Once a fiery competitor with a burning desire to win on the court, Dr. Tim Rollingson (BSc '99) has turned in his hardwood high-tops for the white coat and drill of a dentist's office.

Utilizing that same passion and discipline that made him successful on the court, Rollingson turned his focus to establishing a similarly successful dental practice, located only minutes from the campus he called home for five years.

"I developed an understanding of the discipline that is required to become an expert in a field," says Rollingson about his time playing for the Pronghorns men's basketball team. "Spending hundreds of hours on a task became routine, rather than obscure."

Rollingson was the featured speaker at last spring's Pronghorn annual awards banquet, and it is very apparent how important his time with the Pronghorns still means to him. Reminiscing about his playing days, he delivered a message about discipline, establishing lasting friendships and giving back to the Pronghorn family that had given him so much.

Former Pronghorns guard Tim Rollingson in action against the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Saskatchewan.

"I developed true and life-long friends. Competing together creates priceless bonds and memories," says Rollingson. "Even after not seeing a teammate for several years, you still feel as close a bond to that person as you ever did. One of my favourite things to do is go out with a teammate and his family to catch up and reminisce about old times."

A southern Alberta product, Rollingson walked onto the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge campus in 1992 with an impressive list of credentials. He was the three-time Southern Alberta High School Basketball League scoring champion and two-time league MVP with Winston Churchill High School in Lethbridge, and still maintains the league single season scoring average record of 40.5 points per game.

During his freshman season with the Horns, he did not disappoint, becoming the first Pronghorn men's basketball player to win the Canada West Rookie of the Year award.

After a two year Latter Day Saints mission in Belgium, Rollingson returned to the program, captaining the 'Horns for his final three seasons. He left the program as the all-time Pronghorns assist leader with 374. While he now sits second on the career assist list, he remains among the top 15 in a number of other career categories, including hitting 150 three-point baskets, the second most in team history.

After completing his bachelor of science (biochemistry) at the U of L, Rollingson earned his doctor of dental surgery degree at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Alberta in 2004 and returned to Lethbridge to begin his successful practice.

Rollingson enjoys continually learning and keeping up to date with the latest dental techniques and has completed many continuing education courses. He continues to study at the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies, and the Scottsdale Center for Dental Learning.

Now a father of four and a prominent member of the Lethbridge community, Rollingson has become a fixture in the stands at not only Pronghorn basketball games, but the hockey arena as well. He's commonly known as the "official dentist" of Pronghorn Athletics.

While his support for the current crop of Horns athletes is exceptional, it is not the only way in which he is impacting the community. As a coach and mentor, Rollingson is now passing on his expertise and passion to the next generation of basketball players, coaching girls' teams in the Lethbridge minor basketball system.

"I feel a true sense of being a member of the Pronghorn community and a need to pay back to the program, at least in some small part, for some of the benefits that I received," he says. "I truly enjoy my continued association with "my" team."

This story first appeared in the January edition of the Legend. For a look at the Legend in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Another Taal is in the fold

trevor.kenney — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 16:14:32 +0000

Coming off their first playoff appearance in eight seasons, the Pronghorns women's basketball team and head coach Donna Branch announced the first recruit for the 2010-11 Canada West season.

Her name and family are no strangers to Pronghorns fans as Cassidy Taal is set to join the Horns next season, following in her sister Lauren's footsteps. Cassidy and Lauren are second generation Pronghorns, as her mother and family have a long history with Pronghorn Athletics. Lynette Taal (Lilja) suited up for the Pronghorns from 1978 – 1983, and was named a CWUAA All-Star twice and Pronghorn Female Athlete of the Year in 1983. She sits tied for 14th on the Pronghorn all-time scoring list with 602 points. Lynette also served as an assistant coach with the Horns from 1990-99 and has recently returned to assist Branch.

The Lilja family was inducted into the Pronghorn Hall of Fame in 2002. Jack Lilja Sr., Cassidy's grandfather, coached the Horns Women's Basketball team for four seasons in the 1970s. Lynette's sisters both preceded her with the women's basketball team, Lorell playing 1973-77 and Leslie from 1974 through 1979, while brother Jack Jr. played both basketball and soccer for the Pronghorns.

Coming off a severe knee injury, Cassidy captained her LCI team this past season with the Clippers finishing third in the 4A South Zones, defeating Medicine Hat in the third place game and entering the provincial tournament ranked 10th. The five-foot-10 inch forward averaged 12.1 points per game during the Clippers' 12-4 season in the Southern Alberta High School Basketball League.

For more on the Pronghorns and their latest recruit, check out the Horns website.

UNews - Southern Alberta High School Basketball League

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