Recently in Girls basketball Category

The National Federation of State High School Associations announced this week that instant replay will not be an option for high school basketball in state tournament games.

After much discussion, the committee voted against the use of instant replay to review specific situations during state tournaments. Three proposals were considered by the committee this year after three states had last-second shots in championship games.

"The committee discussed the issue extensively, but there was very little support for implementing video review at the high school level," Struckhoff said. "Some felt the use of video to review officials' decisions is against the philosophy of high school sports. Others said that video review doesn't always provide a conclusive decision, and the equipment would not be consistently available in facilities throughout the country. The committee also felt it would be difficult for officials to officiate without replay throughout the season and then be expected to use it at a state championship."

The NFHS did make two significant rule changes: the rebounding spots closest to the hoop will now be empty to reduce fouling per a pilot program in Georgia; the head coach, not the player, will now be given a technical foul for a player with an illegal uniform.

Rules changes for wrestling and swimming were also announced.

I've seen a lot of high school wrestling in my time, but I've never seen a backflip. Now I never will thanks to the killjoy association NFHS.

This video posted on Wednesday shows Madisun Bailey shooting hoops in her driveway on a 10-foot basket. Before she starts shooting, she turns to the camera and says this:

"My name is Madisun Bailey. I'm five, but you can call me Candace Parker."

Then she sinks the first five shots she takes, a mixture of baseline jumpers mainly, before missing her sixth shot, which barely rims out. But showing the all-around game of her basketball role model, Bailey follows her own shot, gets the rebound and makes her next shot.

File this under the category of "How you know you're really famous."

The Sun named Naperville Central junior Kelley Hendrick its 2007-08 Girls Basketball Player of the Year. Since it's never to early to start debating, who do you think are the front-runners for next year's award?

Hendrick certainly has to be considered a favorite to repeat, but there are some others who could step up. The list also includes two players from Waubonsie Valley -- Rachel Bostick and Brittany Upshaw. Then there is Benet sophomore Nikki Bell, and Neuqua Valley freshman Danielle Davis to consider. Over at Naperville North, junior Kaelyn Witkowski will no doubt make some noise for the Huskies.

Got anybody else in mind? We'd love to hear from you.

The Waubonsie Valley girls basketball team walloped Upstate Eight Conference rival East Aurora 71-34 on Friday night to finish 10-0 and win the UEC outright for the first time since 1998-99. The Warriors did it in typical fashion - contributions from everyone. Even though the team led by nearly 30 points at halftime, only two players reached double figures yet all 12 players who played scored. This is very different from the squad that last accomplished the feat of winning the UEC outright. That team had Ashley Luke, an unstoppable Division-I recruit who was a versatile threat inside and out. At any given moment, Luke could step up and score 20 or more points in a game. But the 2008 Warriors don't have a player like that and although they seem to like it that way, could it be their downfall during the post season? Or could the team's versatility be the very reason they surpass the Ashley Luke-era?

Waubonsie Valley survived an important game against Upstate Eight Conference rival Lake Park, squeaking out a 52-50 win to knock off one of two UEC rivals who were unbeaten in conference play. The Warriors along with St. Charles North, who visited Larkin tonight (a score has yet to post anywhere), are currently the only unbeaten teams in the UEC.

The victory came in typical Waubonsie fashion with contributions from nearly everyone on the team. Center Rachel Bostick led the Warriors with 13 points and 11 rebounds, while Danielle Brown scored 12. Junior forward Brittany Upshaw, listed at 5-foot-7-inches on the roster, took on the unenviable task of guarding 6-4, Michigan-bound junior Samantha Arnold, who led all scorers with 19 points and grabbed 13 rebounds. Despite the size difference, Upshaw did a good job limiting the versatile Arnold, who has been averaging 22.3 points per game.

The win was not only significant for the Warriors' conference and sectional seeding hopes, but also for morale. Currently suffering through the loss of one of their best players (Jessica Morice is out with an achilles injury), the 19th ranked Warriors needed a morale booster after suffering a 43-23 loss to Hinsdale Central on Jan. 8.