North Dakota teams in grades 4-9 will again be able to qualify for the Pacesetter Great Five-State Championships in Minneapolis, where all teams from Minnesota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, North Dakota and Iowa get to play at minimum one game on the main floor of the 20,000+ seat Target Center, home of the MN Timberwolves and MN Lynx.
Teams playing at Pacesetter “Great State” will play 3 games in an 8-team bracket over 1-2 days during a MN Lynx home game weekend and will also attend the Lynx game. The Pacesetter games in the Target Center will have a game announcer that gives a “play-by-play” account. The Target Center music system also plays during the introductions of every player and coach for an exciting experience for players, coaches and fans.
Most teams stay at the Marriott Hotel, which has skyway access to the Target Center. Pacesetter holds an all-team meeting prior to the tournament, where all teams and players are introduced, and guidelines/rules are discussed.
QUALIFYING
1) Jr. Grand Am in Grand Forks April 10-12
The top North Dakota team in grades 4-9 from the Fast Break Club Jr. Grand Am April 4-6 in Grand Forks will be invited to represent North Dakota in the Pacesetter Great Five-State Tournament in Minneapolis. Other top North Dakota teams in the Jr. Grand Am will be given first priority for “Great State” invitations.
2) Wild Card Application Letter
Once the Great State dates have been scheduled at the Target Center, any North Dakota school or community team in grades 4-9 with a strong record may write Pacesetter director, Jeff McCarron, at jmac8144@yahoo.com, to apply for a wild card berth. Please describe your team and state your team’s strengths and willingness to play. Top teams that are organized and willing to commit to play often get an invitation.
