Junior Journalism is a program for girls and boys 5th through 8th grade. The Big Ten Women's Basketball Tournament Local Organizing Committee selected 14 students to participate. Each student was paired with on Big Ten University. Students were required to write an article featuring the assigned University's women's basketball team, which included conducting research, interviews and any necessary work to complete the article below.
Illinois
Junior Journalist: Savannah Stricker, Parkway South Middle School
Typically the leaders of the basketball team are the seniors. Generally the ones with more experience and more leadership skills but that is not the case for this young Illinois team. The Illinois women's basketball team’s top three leading scorers are sophomores, so stepping up and making a change for this program over this season has been important for the team this year. A key factor for this team is trust and loyalty. Read more
Indiana
Junior Journalist: Hudson Kirsh, Creekside Middle School
With just one more regular-season game, Indiana Women’s Basketball is 17-4 overall, 15-2 in the Big Ten, ranked No. 10 in the nation, in second place in the Big Ten, and on an eight-game winning streak. There is a lot of leadership on this team. You wouldn’t necessarily know it by talking with her, but Grace Berger has emerged as one of those leaders. Read more
Iowa
Junior Journalist: Ariah Hughes, Belzer Middle School
Iowa State University is home to the red and gold Cyclones. The Cyclones are 5th in the Big 12 tournament with a record of 7-2. Their overall record is 11-8. Hilton Coliseum is the 4th largest arena in the Big 12 conference with a capacity of 14,384. Read more
Michigan State
Junior Journalist: Kyndahl Jones, Belzer Middle School
Imagine being only a freshman in college and having a double-digit scoring game in your first ever basketball game. Well for 20 year old sophomore in college, Alyza Winston it’s not hard to. Read more
Minnesota
Junior Journalist: Haylee Barnes, Shelbyville Middle School
The Minnesota Golden Gopher women’s basketball team has come a long way from when they started the club in 1971. The Golden Gophers have been in the Big Ten Tournament 9 times and 5 of their players have gone pro including their head coach Lindsay Whalen. Minnesota is heading into this years Big Ten Tournament with a 7-11 record in conference play. The Golden Gophers are going into the Big Ten with 13 players including guard Jasmine Powell. Read more
Northwestern
Junior Journalist: Addison McCarthy, School of Innovation
The Northwestern University Girls Basketball team has three players that made the 2020 Big 10 Scholar Award Recipient List. This award i s for people from all 13 schools competing i n the Big 10 Conference, that have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher for the past school year and take honors courses. The current students that made the l ist are j uniors Veronica Burton, Jess Sancataldo, and Sydney Wood. These athletes have worked extra hard to ensure that they keep a high grade point average and continue to be responsible student athletes. Read more
Ohio State
Junior Journalist: Gourav Pany, Central Middle School
Much has been made about the SEC and how their powerhouses, UCONN and North Carolina, have shown their dominance over the span they have played. However, there might be another team that’s much more dangerous than the rest. Read more
Purdue
Junior Journalist: Savannah Shotwell, Noblesville West Middle School
We caught up with players Janelle Grant (22) and Cassidy Hardin (5) to learn what athlete-life is like in-between games. Read more
Rutgers
Junior Journalist: Mary Kate Macchiarola, Garden City Middle School
As the college basketball season is coming to a close, the Women's Rutgers basketball team is proving that they are not finished yet. The start of the season was ordinary, Rutgers played eight games and only lost twice. After those eight games, Rutgers went on a devastating pause lasting five weeks due to Covid-19. However, after those five weeks, the Scarlet Knights came back better than ever. So far, they have played eight games since the break and haven't lost one. Although this season has definitely been unique, the Scarlet Knights have agreed that the pandemic has brought several positive aspects. Read more
Wisconsin
Junior Journalist: Landyn Shaw, Cloverdale Middle School
Imani Lewis was born on March 3rd, 2000 in Willingboro New Jersey. She currently goes to Wisconsin University. When Imani was younger, The doctors told her that she would never be able to play any sports because of the way her body was growing, but she didn't let that stop her. She started to play soccer and she was incredible at it. Read more