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Valley Christian’s Korver to Participate in Three-Point Shooting Competition

 

  By Loren Kopff

Despite not playing a single game during her senior season, Valley Christian point guard Kari Korver will get a chance to show the nation some of her talents during the weekend of the NCAA Men’s Final Four basketball tournament in New Orleans. Through an online voting contest in conjunction with MaxPreps.com, Korver was selected as one of eight high school girls basketball players across the nation to participate in the American Family Insurance High School Slam Dunk and 3-Point Championships. Eight boys basketball players will compete in the slam dunk contest and another eight boys basketball players will compete in the three-point shooting category.

Valley Christian High School held a 20-minute assembly on the morning of Mar. 13 inside the gymnasium with representatives from American Family Insurance on hand to officially announce Korver’s selection. Calling it a ‘once in a lifetime’ event, Korver was shocked that she was selected.

“I was really surprised because I missed the entire season,” Korver said. “I didn’t know I would even be considered for something like this. It’s a cool blessing. I really appreciate being chosen.”

“She’s always represented us well and I think it’s just a neat opportunity for her,” said V.C. girls basketball head coach Katie Hardeman. “She wasn’t able to compete her senior year. [Now], she can compete in what she does best.”

Korver racked up 1,850 points during her first three seasons at V.C. including 739 in her junior season. She was named to the first team All-California Interscholastic Federation-Southern Section for Division V-AA as a freshman and sophomore and was a member of the Division IV-A All-CIF team two seasons ago. Korver was also the Los Cerritos Community News Co-Player of the Year in her sophomore and junior seasons.

Last summer, Korver, who will be going to UCLA in the fall, tore her ACL. Still, Korver compiled enough votes to head to the Crescent City for the first time. Korver will also witness the Final Four in person for the first time.

“It’s frustrating,” Korver said of not playing this past season. “You don’t really want to watch the game [from the bench]. But I still love my teammates and I’m still encouraging them. Obviously I’d love to be there on the floor. But I learned a lot of things that are more important.”

The event will take place on Friday, Mar. 30 from the Alario Center and be televised on CBS two days later from 1:30-3:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time.

“I wasn’t shocked at all,” Hardeman said. “I thought she should be [selected]. I was hoping she wouldn’t be rejected because she didn’t play her senior year. I was glad that they recognized that. There is a unique gift to Kari.”

 

Valley Christian senior Kari Korver speaks in front of her fellow schoolmates and faculty ton Mar. 13 after being selected to participate in the American Family Insurance High School Slam Dunk and 3-Point Championships in New Orleans.


  • Beth Nyenhuis says:

    Congratulations to Kari! She has been blessed with many gifts and she is a beautiful young woman inside and out. Kari will Represent Cerritos and Valley Christian well! Go get ’em Kari! Best wishes!!