Morrell Koch Invited To Hoops Tourney Down Under

By Betsy Barnett

Eads High School junior Morrell Koch who played a major role in the Lady Eagles’ state basketball championship a year ago and was on the Regional team this year, has been invited to participate in the 7th annual Down Under Hoops Classic in Australia.

Koch will join eleven other Colorado high school basketball players in the prestigious and once in a lifetime opportunity to compete against high school players from other states and countries. The Classic is slated for July and Koch and her teammates will travel together as ambassadors representing the United States and, particularly, Colorado.

Koch has indicated that this trip will "fulfill a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play the sport I love and to see a wonderful part of the world."

However, this prestigious opportunity is also an expensive endeavor for this high school junior. Although the family is required to financially support the player, a major source of funding comes from voluntary contributions from extended family, friends, and community members interested in promoting excellence in our youth. Therefore, an account has been established at Valley State Bank in the Eads branch that will be utilized for anyone who would like to contribute to the opportunity. To make a donation, you can either visit the bank or call 438-5331 and ask for Verna Ebright who is in charge of the Down Under Basketball account.