21/12/09

On the 25th of November 2009 County Upper Basketball Academy became the first Basketball Academy in England to step foot in America with the opportunity to play against 5 college programmes between the 27th of November and the 2nd of December. This trip was for all academy players to experience college basketball in America and possibly get spotted. By experiencing the facilities on offer at an American college, college classes, and the ability level of players who are on programmes who offer scholarships it will help answer most if not all questions regarding whats an American college like and how good players have to be to gain a Scholarship.

On the 26th Of November County Upper visited The University of South Dakota an NCAA Div 1 School. USD boast a 10,00 seat arena called the Dakota Dome and an Athletics programme which competes with the higher Mid Major NCAA Div 1 programmes. ” By seeing the Dakota Dome, the USD athletic department and the campus I am hoping all Academy players will get an understanding of what is on offer to student-athletes who are offered full scholarships, so I do not have to keep explaining. I am also hoping this visit will motivate players to want to improve so they to might get a chance to to gain a scholarship,” said Coach Johnson.

On the 27th of November County Upper plays in the first game of the Comfort Inn Classic based in Marshalltown Iowa . Marshalltown are an NJCAA Div 1 school, whose conference has two of the best Div 1 Junior College programmes in the country (Indian Hills JC & Southeastern JC). Playing on their roster this year they have among others, two NCAA Div 1 transfer players, one player who just signed a letter of intent with Iowa State University (Who play in the 4th best NCAA Div 1 conference, the Big 12), and another player who is looking to sign with St Louis University (An NCAA Div 1 school who play in the Atlantic 10 Conference). “I am expecting this first game to be a quick and physical game and should be the wake up call our players need; with the talent Marshalltown have at their disposal they will be tough to play against,” said Coach Johnson.

On the 28th of November CU played in the second game of the Comfort Inn Classic against DMACC. DMACC are an NJCAA Div 2 school who play in one of the toughest conferences in the country. Currently DMACC is ranked #2 in the national rankings. DMACC have a proud basketball history; for the past 10 years they have been ranked as one of the top 20 programmes in the country. In 2002 and 2007 they made it to the Final Four and 7th – 8th playoff game of the NJCAA Div 2 National Championship respectively. DMACC consistently develop and place student-athletes to the NCAA Div 1 and NCAA Div 2 ranks. “Having been a basketball player and student coach at DMACC, I know how disaplined, athletic and tough these guys will be; I just hope we come out ready to earn respect, seeing they are currently undefeated and ranked #2 in the country. This speaks volumes for their programme and the personnel they have on the programme,” said Coach Johnson.

On the 29th of November County Upper travelled North to Fort Dodge to play Iowa Central. Iowa Central are also an NJCAA Div 2 school who also play in the same conference as DMACC. Currently Iowa Central are receiving votes in the National rankings but have not received enough to break into the top 20 in the country. Iowa Central are another programme who constantly place players in four year schools. “Iowa Central are a tough team, and will be hard to play against; they are a well disciplined and well coached team. Coach Pilcher has built up an impressive programme over the past 30 years,” said Coach Johnson.

On the 30th of November CU had a day off and visited the DMACC campus; while on campus all academy players sat within a class to experience college life in the US and also had basketball practice on their court. “playing basketball at a college in the US is only a small part of a student-athlete’s life, the most important part is being a student and doing well in the classroom; this is why it was important to me that all academy players experience a college class and could see a regular college day.”

On the 1st of December County Upper ventured south to play Grandview College JV. The Grandview varsity programme have a long history of success, currently this season they have a 11 – 2 record and are ranked #7 in the NAIA National Poll. “Although this is a JV team they will still be a tough team to play against, I am hoping the younger players will be able to step up and play more during this game, so they too can experience the American style of basketball.” said Coach Johnson.

On the 2nd of December CU ventured west to Hastings Nebraska to play against Hastings College JV. Hastings also play in the same conference as Grandview and also have a strong basketball tradition at the school.

On the 3rd of December County Upper returned home.