Coach Jon Noreen spoke about the season at the welcome home program

In grand fashion the Huskies girls basketball team was welcomed home following their triumphant trip to the state tournament.

The Class AA champions were escorted through Avon and Albany by each communities' fire and police departments and then entered the high school gym Saturday night, March 15, with their trophy held high.

Parents, school district administrators and coaches all spoke of the community pride felt for this group of talented individuals who came together as a team to win it all after six consecutive trips to the state tournament.

Albany Area Schools Superintendent Scott Thielman said, "we are very, very proud of your accomplishments." He added that "all are outstanding role models."

Judy Terres-Madsen, mother of starting senior guard Holly Terres, said that as a parent of a senior who played her last game today, "I am so proud of every one of you."

Also expressing pride in the team's accomplishments was Peggy Larsen, mother of senior starting center Sam Larsen. She said, "Each and every one of you have done a super job."

She also said that the team didn't hang their heads after last year's close loss to Pipestone in the championship game.

Lynette Noreen, wife of head coach Jon Noreen and mother of Jennie Noreen and assistant coach Darby Noreen, said that Jennie was the last of her daughters to play high school basketball which began 10 years ago with Darby. During those years there "were a lot of good memories." She said, "I'm going to miss everyone of you guys."

The starters were also asked to speak.

Larsen said, "I'm so proud to be one of your three captains." The other two are Jennie Noreen and Taylor Voss.

Others speaking were Jennie Noreen, Holly Terres, Hannah Hylla (the only junior of the starting five; the rest are seniors) and Taylor Voss.

Head Coach Jon Noreen said, "What a great place to live" and thanked the communities for the police and fire truck escort.

He also thanked the parents of the players. "The parents are fantastic." It's because of their efforts, he said, that the girls are state champions.

He also noted that the trip back home from state this year was a lot better than last year, when they took second place. "It sure was a lot sweeter having a blue ribbon around your neck instead of a red one."

As the program wound down, there was one, last piece of unfinished business.

Jon Noreen had promised the team that if they won the state championship, he would shave off his mustache.

Not to forget a promise made, the girls were there to remind him and had all necessary implements needed-razor, shave cream and towel. While he made an attempt to talk his way out of it, a promise is and promise and he took a seat in the middle of the gym.

As the team gathered around, Jon clipped and shaved away. But the task may not have been that bad after all. Afterward he enthusiastically proclaimed, "The girls said I look 10 years younger."

Team information

The following information was taken from the state tournament media guide provided by the Minnesota State High School League. Each team was asked to submit statistics and comments. The following were the comments from Albany.

SOME IMPORTANT FACTORS IN TEAM'S SUCCESS

Three starters have played in four state tournaments. Unselfish team play. Eight seniors have played together since 5th grade.

SIGNIFICANT RECORDS, STATISTICS, ACHIEVEMENTS

Three team members are 1,000-point scorers. Four team members average in double figures. Sixth consecutive state tournament appearance. Fourteen years West Central Conference champions with 74 consecutive conference wins.

NOTEWORTHY DATA ON INDIVIDUAL PLAYERS

Jennie Noreen has scored 1,709 career points. Taylor Voss has scored 1,335 career points. Sam Larson has scored 1,285 career points. Jennie Noreen, Taylor Voss and Sam Larsen were selected to the 2007 State Tournament All-Tournament Team. Jennie Noreen was selected West Central Conference MVP three years. Jennie Noreen is the third Noreen girl to play for Albany in the State Tournament under their father Jon Noreen as head coach. Taylor Voss will be playing ball for Southwest State College. Jennie will be joining her sister Joanne at Minnesota State-Mankato to play ball.

OTHER INTERESTS AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF INDIVIDUALS

Eight current team members traveled to Australia and won the Down Under Hoops Classic in the summer 2007.

NOTEWORTHY INFORMATION ABOUT HEAD AND ASSISTANT COACHES

Assistant coach Darby Noreen played for Albany on the 2003 State Tournament Team with sister Joanne and then went on to play college ball for College of St. Benedict. Joanne currently plays for Minnesota State-Mankato. Assistant coach Shanna Gerads played for Jon Noreen on the 1997 State Tournament team. Assistant coach Kathy Gilk played for Melrose (conference rival) against Darby Noreen.

Team Record (29-2)

Date Opponent Score

11-27 Pierz 77-47

11-30 Crookston 68-88

12-6 Holdingford 78-43

12-7 Sauk Centre 74-42

12-11 St. Cloud Cathedral 98-37

12-14 Long Prairie-Grey Eagle 82-39

12-20 Melrose Area 72-46

12-27 Rochester Lourdes 53-62

12-28 Rochester Century 65-43

12-29 Rochester John Marshall 51-45

1-4 New London-Spicer 52-43

1-10 Foley 92-49

1-15 Minnewaska Area, Glenwood 66-49

1-17 Paynesville Area 85-35

1-22 Sauk Centre 63-41

1-24 Paynesville Area 80-25

1-25 St. Cloud Cathedral 99-55

1-29 Long Prairie-Grey Eagle 67-27

2-1 Melrose Area 69-38

2-4 Wayzata 74-65

2-7 New London-Spicer 68-45

2-11 Eden Valley-Watkins 90-78

2-12 Rocori 88-73

2-15 Foley 75-54

Section 6AA Tournament

2-26 Paynesville Area 80-25

2-28 Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa 82-52

3-1 New London-Spicer 42-37

3-7 West Central Area, Barrett 77-42

State Tournament

3-12 Hinckley-Finlayson 70-52

3-14 Hayfield 52-50

3-15 Jordan 62-52

State Tournament Appearances 12

State Champions in 1980 as Class A; in 1983 in Class AA

Jon Noreen

Years as Head coach 20

Record 405-133