Post by Charity on Dec 17, 2006 12:28:57 GMT -5
The North Metro Blazers are an up-tempo, high-scoring, winning basketball team. And all the players are home-schooled.
By David La Vaque, Star Tribune
Last update: December 12, 2006 – 10:42 AM
Banners recognizing the North Metro Blazers' past two league championships cannot be found hanging in a gymnasium because the boys' basketball team does not belong to a traditional school. All of the program's 23 players are home-schooled.
The program, now in its sixth season, offers players the chance to socialize with others and learn the lessons of discipline and teamwork. Though not a Minnesota State High School League member team, the players' passion for up-tempo, high-scoring, winning basketball burns just the same.
"This is not a church-league team that's just about participation," athletic director Kyle Stephens said. "We're serious about conditioning and coaching and winning. We don't want to win at all costs, but we do want to win."
Blazing the trail
North Metro won the Christian Athletic League -- 12 boys' basketball teams from various parts of Minnesota and western Wisconsin -- in each of the past two seasons. Last season, the Blazers' fast-paced style led to a 25-3 record and an average of 90.6 points scored per game.
It was not always this way. Coach Larry Jeddeloh saw a much different situation five years ago when his son Ben joined the team. Players lacked experience, and fundamentals were a challenge.
"I saw kids who dribbled the ball with their hands way up by their shoulders," Larry said.
Now in his second year as head coach, Jeddeloh instructs his team to play at a frenzied pace in all facets, the "type of basketball I enjoy watching and the kids enjoy playing," he said.
Superior stamina is a must, and Jeddeloh's commitment to conditioning earned him the nickname Dr. Death from players.
"He never tells us how many sprints we're running," senior Daniel Lehn said. "He just keeps saying, 'One more.' "
The hard work is producing better players. Former standout Jeffrey Prasch went on to play at Anoka-Ramsey Community College, and Jeddeloh believes three of his current players could continue their careers beyond high school.
Keep the faith
A recent practice on the team's home court in the Roseville Covenant Church showcased the players' dedication. One player dived on the floor in pursuit of a loose ball. Another pounded a wall mat in frustration when his ill-advised pass was stolen by the defense. And senior Seth Stephens, the athletic director's oldest son, was bloodied when a teammate accidentally elbowed him above the right eye.
Intense? You bet. But not out of control. Athletic director Kyle Stephens, who is the pastor at Blessed Hope Baptist Church in Coon Rapids, said the team is largely composed of players with strong religious values.
He does not require players to "profess their faith" nor has he polled the team to find out their denominations. He tells parents at preseason meetings that "we do consider ourselves Christians" and that coaches and players "will be praying before practices and games." And profanity is not tolerated.
Homegrown
Kyle Stephens said people are surprised that a team of home-schooled students can be competitive.
"Most people think of home-school kids as nerdy," he said. "But these guys aren't second-class athletes."
Stephens and his wife, Marcia, teach their four children at their Oak Grove home. Their school day starts about 8 a.m. in a converted utility room with shelves full of books, a computer and myriad teaching aides. The children can also study in the living room or their bedrooms.
Home-schooling their children, Stephens said, provides him and his wife peace of mind.
"Everyone knows the weaknesses of public schools," he said. "It's an issue of every political campaign, but they never get anywhere. So your choices are paying for a private school or taking the bull by the horns."
When questions come up about his children's social skills, he talks about the family's network of friends through the church, his daughter Anna and son Joseph participating in a home-school-based orchestra and of course his sons Seth and Daniel playing for the North Metro Blazers.
Seth grew up playing sports with kids in the neighborhood, and his natural athletic ability shined. Joining the Blazers as a freshman marked his first attempt at organized sports.
"For me, it's not about being social, it's about competition," he said.
Taking on the MSHSL
North Metro is 3-0 this season and scored more than 100 points in each victory.
The team will play between 25 and 30 games this season, four against Minnesota State High School League-affiliated schools. The Blazers opened the season by defeating Schaeffer Academy in Rochester and will go on to play Oh Day Aki, Unidale and PACT, located in Ramsey.
Last season, the Blazers played Minnesota Transitions of Minneapolis, a MSHSL team that plays a similar style. North Metro lost, but the combined 240 points scored would have been a MSHSL record if both teams were league members.
Kyle Stephens does not foresee North Metro joining the MSHSL because the process would be complicated. Each home school must apply, and then all of them would form a massive co-op.
His son, Seth, ever the competitor, would love the chance to play more traditional programs.
"We probably wouldn't beat Hopkins -- but let's play," he said. "Let's play a high school team. With the way we play, we'd give their guys a good night's sleep."
www.startribune.com/142/story/868641.html
By David La Vaque, Star Tribune
Last update: December 12, 2006 – 10:42 AM
Banners recognizing the North Metro Blazers' past two league championships cannot be found hanging in a gymnasium because the boys' basketball team does not belong to a traditional school. All of the program's 23 players are home-schooled.
The program, now in its sixth season, offers players the chance to socialize with others and learn the lessons of discipline and teamwork. Though not a Minnesota State High School League member team, the players' passion for up-tempo, high-scoring, winning basketball burns just the same.
"This is not a church-league team that's just about participation," athletic director Kyle Stephens said. "We're serious about conditioning and coaching and winning. We don't want to win at all costs, but we do want to win."
Blazing the trail
North Metro won the Christian Athletic League -- 12 boys' basketball teams from various parts of Minnesota and western Wisconsin -- in each of the past two seasons. Last season, the Blazers' fast-paced style led to a 25-3 record and an average of 90.6 points scored per game.
It was not always this way. Coach Larry Jeddeloh saw a much different situation five years ago when his son Ben joined the team. Players lacked experience, and fundamentals were a challenge.
"I saw kids who dribbled the ball with their hands way up by their shoulders," Larry said.
Now in his second year as head coach, Jeddeloh instructs his team to play at a frenzied pace in all facets, the "type of basketball I enjoy watching and the kids enjoy playing," he said.
Superior stamina is a must, and Jeddeloh's commitment to conditioning earned him the nickname Dr. Death from players.
"He never tells us how many sprints we're running," senior Daniel Lehn said. "He just keeps saying, 'One more.' "
The hard work is producing better players. Former standout Jeffrey Prasch went on to play at Anoka-Ramsey Community College, and Jeddeloh believes three of his current players could continue their careers beyond high school.
Keep the faith
A recent practice on the team's home court in the Roseville Covenant Church showcased the players' dedication. One player dived on the floor in pursuit of a loose ball. Another pounded a wall mat in frustration when his ill-advised pass was stolen by the defense. And senior Seth Stephens, the athletic director's oldest son, was bloodied when a teammate accidentally elbowed him above the right eye.
Intense? You bet. But not out of control. Athletic director Kyle Stephens, who is the pastor at Blessed Hope Baptist Church in Coon Rapids, said the team is largely composed of players with strong religious values.
He does not require players to "profess their faith" nor has he polled the team to find out their denominations. He tells parents at preseason meetings that "we do consider ourselves Christians" and that coaches and players "will be praying before practices and games." And profanity is not tolerated.
Homegrown
Kyle Stephens said people are surprised that a team of home-schooled students can be competitive.
"Most people think of home-school kids as nerdy," he said. "But these guys aren't second-class athletes."
Stephens and his wife, Marcia, teach their four children at their Oak Grove home. Their school day starts about 8 a.m. in a converted utility room with shelves full of books, a computer and myriad teaching aides. The children can also study in the living room or their bedrooms.
Home-schooling their children, Stephens said, provides him and his wife peace of mind.
"Everyone knows the weaknesses of public schools," he said. "It's an issue of every political campaign, but they never get anywhere. So your choices are paying for a private school or taking the bull by the horns."
When questions come up about his children's social skills, he talks about the family's network of friends through the church, his daughter Anna and son Joseph participating in a home-school-based orchestra and of course his sons Seth and Daniel playing for the North Metro Blazers.
Seth grew up playing sports with kids in the neighborhood, and his natural athletic ability shined. Joining the Blazers as a freshman marked his first attempt at organized sports.
"For me, it's not about being social, it's about competition," he said.
Taking on the MSHSL
North Metro is 3-0 this season and scored more than 100 points in each victory.
The team will play between 25 and 30 games this season, four against Minnesota State High School League-affiliated schools. The Blazers opened the season by defeating Schaeffer Academy in Rochester and will go on to play Oh Day Aki, Unidale and PACT, located in Ramsey.
Last season, the Blazers played Minnesota Transitions of Minneapolis, a MSHSL team that plays a similar style. North Metro lost, but the combined 240 points scored would have been a MSHSL record if both teams were league members.
Kyle Stephens does not foresee North Metro joining the MSHSL because the process would be complicated. Each home school must apply, and then all of them would form a massive co-op.
His son, Seth, ever the competitor, would love the chance to play more traditional programs.
"We probably wouldn't beat Hopkins -- but let's play," he said. "Let's play a high school team. With the way we play, we'd give their guys a good night's sleep."
www.startribune.com/142/story/868641.html