By By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
NILES - Not only does she shine in the classroom, but she shines on the court as well.
Buchanan freshman Hayley Cashier can add making the USA Junior National Basketball Team to her list of achievements so far.
Cashier was recently selected to be on the team, which will compete at the National Sports Festival in Columbus, Ohio, July 25-31.
Tryouts were held back in December at Eastern Michigan University. Over one hunderd varsity athletes from Michigan and Canada tried out and only 30 girls were selected to represent the state of Michigan.
Not only will this be a great chance for Cashier to improve her basketball skills, but she will be working with the best coaches and athletes in the United States.
Athletes from 42 states and Canada will compete this year and college coaches from around the United States will be brought in, assigned to a team, and will coach that team the entire week.
Cashier has big goals for her furture and this is a great start. She wants to play basketball for a Division I college, play in the WNBA and coach college basketball.
Cashier averaged 10 points, nine rebounds for the Lady Bucks this past season.
She holds a 3.6 GPA, is in the National Honor Society, received the Presidents Education Award for outstanding MEAP performance, the third place Science Fair Award, the Christian Education Coalition (CEC) Academics/Sports Award, the Principals Pen Award, the Role Model Award and the Perfect Attendance Award.
Cashier was the 20045 second team All-Lakeland Conference squad, was in the top 30 scorers in the district, placed third in Michigan's MRPA Hoop Shoot Contest, and won the 2002 MVP Award for the Southwestern Michigan College basketball tournament. She led the Buchanan Middle School in scoring and assists during the 2002-2004 seasons and was on the 2001 all-star softball team.
Opening ceremonies for the event will be held on July 25. Competition will consist of a pool play tournament followed by a double elimination championship tournament.
Some of the requirements for becoming a USA Junior National athlete are positive attitude, time commitment, talent and financial commitment.
Any sponsorships would be greatly appreciated since the cost for the trip will be approximately $1,100.
If you would like to help out in anyway, please contact Marilyn or Hayley Cashier at P.O. Box 91, Buchanan, MI 49107.