SYRACUSE -ÊAlthough the high school basketball season is officially over, the accolades keep rolling in for Wawasee sophomore Shanna Zolman. Zolman was recently invited to try out for the Junior National Women's team in Colorado Springs June 9-12.

Forty-five girls from around the U.S. have been invited to the June tryouts, and 12 will be selected to compete for the UAS Basketball Junior National team in Argentina July 26-30.

"A committee chooses the 45 girls who are invited to the tryouts in Colorado," said Kem Zolman, Shanna's father and Wawasee head coach. "Shanna was recommended by several college coaches who have watched her play this year. That is a major accomplishment for her."

Shanna is one of just three sophomores invited to the camp.

"She's quite excited," said Kem. "Even if she doesn't make the team, this is quite an opportunity for her.

"Most of the girls who will be there (in Colorado) will be freshmen in college next year. This gives Shanna an opportunity to play against the top high school players in the country."

Even though Shanna's official season ended in early March, that does not mean basketball has been put on the back burner.

"She has her own daily workout," said Kem. "She also plays on an AAU team, so she still gets playing time."

If Shanna makes it through the tryouts and gets to play in Argentina in July, it could give her an advantage to play in Russia next year. The FIBA Junior World championship will be played in Ostrava, Brno and Prague in the Czech Republic July 14-22, 2001.

"Playing in Argentina would give Shanna an in-road to be selected for the team that will play in Russia next year," said Kem.

The Junior National team will be coached by Geno Auriemma, the coach of the 2000 national champion University of Connecticut Huskies.

"This opportunity comes around only once in four years, so her next chance would be as a sophomore in college," said Kem. "This has always been a big dream of hers, and now she has reached the beginning stage so we'll see where it goes from here."

"This is a neat experience for her. It has always been Shanna's dream to play in the Olympics, and this brings her one step closer."

USA Basketball, organized in 1974, is a non-profit organization that oversees basketball in the United States. Athletes under the age of 19 are eligible for Junior National teams that compete in FIBA Junior World Championships every four years. USA Basketball selects and trains basketball teams to represent the U.S. in international and national competitions. [[In-content Ad]]