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=**Welcome to ST JOHN’S COLLEGE**= =**&** **SACRED HEART GIRLS COLLEGE USA Basketball Tour 2007**=

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=__A BIG thanks:__= ==On behalf of the group we thank everyone for their support and we would like to thank all those families in America who had us in their homes. Thank you for this tremendous LIFE experience...one we will not forget. What an amazing experience had by all who travelled!!!!== =NEWSPAPER article from the USA - We are famous on TV and in the papers...= = = __Goodwill Exhibition Basketball Doubleheader__ New Zealand Hoop Teams Start U.S. Tour in Marina On Monday evening local fans were treated to some outstanding basketball, thanks to a visit from SACRED HEART GIRLS COLLEGE and ST. JOHN’S BOYS COLLEGE, two excellent prep teams from New Zealand. Our Marina High Mariners hosted the two elite high school basketball clubs at Porter Youth Center, for four hours of hoops, friendly competition and cultural exchange, as the visitors began their three-week, 11-game tour of the western United States. The two sister schools from Hamilton, New Zealand, are the latest teams to participate in this outstanding annual event that has spanned some 20 years. Monterey County coaching legend Jim Rear helped to create the tradition in the “80’s”, while at Alisal High School in Salinas. During the past two decades, kids from the southwest Pacific have come to the West Coast U.S., while our local teams have also ventured “down under” to take a look at life and sports, halfway around the world. After landing in Los Angeles over the weekend, our guests proceeded to the Central Coast, making a mid-afternoon stop yesterday to tour the beautiful Mariner campus. A tasty “pregame spread” was served up by MHS parents Mrs. Miles and Mr. & Mrs. Rondez, as the teens from both countries met for the first time. A couple of hours later at PYC, the teams met on the floor before a large and appreciative crowd. Though bested by both visiting teams, our young Mariner basketball players competed well throughout the evening, as they went through their latest developmental test on the hardwood. In the Girls opener, Samantha Penko led the scoring for MHS with 6 points, on two 3-pointers. Michelle Drummer chipped in with a three of her own, while Jasmine Rondez ran the offense and scored a second quarter hoop. Our Boys continued to improve, with points from Trey Miles, and solid floor games from Cameron Rodda, Michael Villagrana, Armand Kincade and Julius Dawkins. Just as important, our young players enjoyed the entire experience with our new friends, who treated the crowd to not only some outstanding hoops, but also native songs and dances, direct from New Zealand. Principal Don Livermore was on hand to award both teams the official MHS gold coin, while Mr. John Martinez of our Marina WAL-MART dropped in between games, with a special gift of two autographed pro basketballs, to help our Guests commemorate their stop in Marina. While our Mariner Boys team will now take a break from competition until early 2008, our Girls have another short trip down Highway 101, for an assignment with Soledad High next Tuesday (12/11). Here I am helping the local TV and newspaper reporter Dan...Helping with the sideline chat - A mic in the hand makes me feel at home! The picture of the Charges Van outside Chuch. This is the Wilcox Van that we had eccess to for several days.
 * Many thanks to Coaches Teresa Cargo and Mel Young, as well as Team Manager Gareth Duncan, for bringing their fine group of student / athletes from New Zealand into Marina for this memorable visit. __YOU__ and all area Mariner fans will get to see how it all went down, in next week’s exciting episode of THE BLUE & GOLD REPORT on Marina Channel 25. Check the listings here to select the telecast of your choice . . . !**
 * Marina High will begin its Coastal Athletic League hoop schedule in mid-January. On the docket are eight exciting Girl-Boy home doubleheaders. It all starts with the January 15 contests with area rival Calvary Christian – much more news to follow . . .**
 * GO MARINERS !**

= = =__5th December:__ YOSEMITE :http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/things2do.htm= ==

Yosemite Falls is fed mostly by snowmelt. Peak flow usually happens in late May, but by August, Yosemite Falls is often dry. It begins flowing again a few months later, after winter snows arrive. Hiking maps http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/upload/valleyhikes.pdf
 * Did You Know?**

=__**NOT sure what to pack?**__= __TEMPERATURE: 61 F **(16 C)** - 24.11.07__ JUST CLICK on this link - Flight information: http://www.transport.govt.nz/flysmart-2/

=__What`s on the Qantas Movies__= Hey Team have a look at the movies we`ll have to watch Cheers Gareth :-) http://www.auckland-airport.co.nz/flight_info.php?leg=D&range=I
 * click on this site and scroll the 6 pages of movies**. http://www.qantas.com.au/flightinfo/do/dyn/entertainment/international/index
 * __Auckland Airport__** for departure times and arrivals GO:

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View the tavel maps **UNDER TOUR MAP on the tool bar -** there will be separate word files waiting for you titled, `Boys Map` and `Girls Map`...have a pursual. __**EXCITING tools to LOOK at are**__:...**Googlemap** you can go on a virtual map tour of the Golden Gate Bridge and the centre of San Fransico. Also, you might like to try **mapquest** web site which is easy to use and will give you the exact travel distances from venue to venue during the tour.
 * __Our Tour direction:__**

How to post messages in this site ?
= = To contribute to this space you need to be a member. It's easy ! Just click on the "Join this Space" button on the left handside if you're already a member of Wikispaces (and enter your username and password)..... if you're not a member you have to join wikispaces first .... click on the wikispaces badge top right. You'll be directed to a site to enter a username, password and email address. Once you've joined you can post comments etc in the discussion pages and add details to any pages.Look forward to seeing you all join. Gareth :-)

Here is the link to Calder and Lawson Travel (Kris is our contact) http://www.cnl.co.nz/page/calder_5.php
 * __Web Links____:__ http://www.basketball.org.nz/ http://www.waikatobasketball.co.nz/**Here

We will be keeping an eye out for Elvis!!