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| 2009 1A State Champions
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Friday, October 30
McKenzie accepts full basketball scholarship to King College
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| Aysia McKenzie in action last season
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Wesleyan senior Aysia McKenzie has accepted a basketball scholarship offer from King College. A four-year varsity basketball player, McKenzie is entering her fourth season as Wesleyan's starting point guard. She has helped lead the Lady Wolves to two state basketball championships and a state runner up finish in her three varsity seasons. She joins teammates Erin Hall (Wake Forest) and Logan Morris (Wofford) in committing early to an NCAA basketball program. King is located in Bristol, TN and is an NCAA Division II school. McKenzie accepted King's offer after considering offers ffom Newberry and North Carolina-Pembroke. She becomes the 14th Wesleyan girls player to receive a college scholarship to play basketball. Congratulations Aysia on your college choice!
Monday, October 12
Anne Marie Armstrong's unmatched career leaves lasting mark on Wesleyan Basketball
Now that some time has passed, it's time to reflect on the remarkable high school career of Anne Marie Armstrong. It’s hard to put into words just what Anne Marie accomplished while wearing a Wesleyan basketball uniform due to the sheer volume of it. During her time at Wesleyan, Anne Marie became one of the most recognizable figures in Georgia High School basketball and what she meant to Wesleyan's program and to Wesleyan School cannot be denied. Anne Marie benefitted by joining a program that had already won three state titles in the previous four seasons prior to her freshman year. Growing up in Wesleyan's system while playing on the middle school teams, she knew what the expectations were once she started high school. There was a winning tradition already established which she greatly wanted to contribute to. She made an immediate impact her freshman year with her coming out party occurring during the 2005 Deep South Classic in which she had back to back 22-point performances. The local media began asking about this freshman they'd never heard of. It was easy for her to blend in while playing on a team that featured four soon-to-be Division I college players in Carolyn Whitney, Elise Whitney, LeLe LeSeur and Alison Watt. After that Christmas tournament though, she could no longer be hidden. This began a trend that would continue for the next three years as she led the team in scoring in each of the three years following her freshman season. During her four years on the varsity, the Lady Wolves won 87% of their games posting a record of 115-18. Anne Marie played in four straight state championship games winning three of them. Perhaps the most memorable moment of her high school career occurred in the semi-finals of the 2007 AA state tournament in her sophomore year. Wesleyan and undefeated Randolph-Clay were tied at 49. About 30 seconds remained in the game and Wesleyan was working the ball around for a last second shot from the outside as Randolph-Clay’s zone defense was sealing the interior. A Randolph-Clay defender deflected a pass out of bounds, right underneath the Wesleyan basket with 0:01 remaining on the clock. The scoreboard in the Macon Coliseum does not show tenths of seconds so no one knew if that 0:01 was really 1.9 seconds or 1.0 seconds. Coach Azar immediately called time out and set up a play….that had never been run or even practiced before. She designed the play on the fly and the Lady Wolves came out of the timeout and took their places on the floor. Kelly Hall was handed the ball by a referee as the other four Wesleyan players lined up side by side. Hall lobbed the ball in the air, Anne Marie stepped back, Sarah Delk sealed Randolph-Clay's big post player, Anne Marie jumped, caught and released the ball all in one motion. The ball sailed through the hoop touching nothing but net sending the Lady Wolves to an improbable state championship game appearance after graduating five players from the previous season's team that went on to play at the next level. This arguably was the most clutch moment of her high school career. Anne Marie led her team to three state championships, one state runner up finish, two region championships and a national ranking in both the USA Today and ESPN high school polls. She was also twice named Miss Georgia Basketball, twice named National Player of the Year by the National Christian School Athletic Assocation, three time NCSAA All American, Fourth Team Parade All American, won two state player of the year awards for her classification and was named First Team All State her sophomore, junior and senior years among many other honors and awards. She ended her career as Wesleyan's all-time leader in blocked shots with 216. She's Wesleyan's second all-time leader in scoring and rebounds while scoring 2,128 points and grabbing 820 rebounds respectively. All of these things contributed to Anne Marie receiving a full scholarship to play basketball at the University of Georgia. As impressive as all of these accomplishments and statistics are, her impact is even greater in the influence she had on the younger players in the Wesleyan program who looked to her as a role model much as she looked up to the varsity players when she was in middle school. As phenominal a basketball player as Anne Marie is, she is the consumate all around athlete. Not only was she a memeber of three state championship basketball teams, she led the Wesleyan volleyball team to three state titles and the track team to a team state title her senior year. She won three individual state championships in the high jump her sophomore, junior and senior years graduating with a total of 10 state championships. Remarkable. One would be hard pressed to find a more accomplished all around athlete...especially in the current climate of specialization among high school athletes. We will probably not see the likes of an Anne Marie again. She will be greatly missed but leaves the program in good hands. It was an honor to see her play during these past years. Congratulations to Anne Marie for all of her amazing accomplishments. Best of luck at the next level. We all look forward to watching her for four years at Georgia.
A look at Anne Marie's career accomplishments:
* Full Basketball Scholarship to the University of Georgia
* Parade All American – Fourth Team - 2009
* Miss Georgia Basketball – 2008, 2009 (only 4th in history to win award twice)
* National Player of the Year - National Christian School Athletic Association – 2008, 2009
* All American, First Team - National Christian School Athletic Association – 2008, 2009
* All American, Second Team – National Christian School Athletic Association - 2007
* Class AA Player of the Year - Georgia Athletic Coaches Association – 2008
* Class A Player of the Year - Georgia Athletic Coaches Association – 2009
* All State, First Team - Atlanta Journal Constitution – 2007, 2008, 2009
* All State, First Team – Georgia Sportswriters Association - 2009
* All State - Georgia Athletic Coaches Association – 2007, 2008, 2009
* Region 6-AA Player of the Year – 2007, 2008
* Region 7-A Player of the Year – 2009
* All Region – 2007, 2008, 2009
* Gwinnett Tipoff Club Player of the Year - 2008, 2009
* Atlanta Journal-Constitution Gwinnett County Player of the Year - 2008
* Gwinnett Daily Post Player of the Year - 2008
* Atlanta Journal-Constitution All Gwinnett County - First Team – 2008
* Atlanta Journal-Constitution All Gwinnett County – Second Team – 2007
* Gwinnett Daily Post All County - First Team – 2007, 2008, 2009
* Gwinnett Tipoff Club All County – 2007, 2008, 2009
* Atlanta Tipoff Club Prep Team of the Year – 2007, 2008, 2009
* Atlanta Tipoff Club January/February 2007 Team of the Month
* Deep South Classic Most Valuable Player – 2007
* Nike Tournament of Champions All Tournament Team - 2008
* Parkview Holiday Classic All Tournament Team – 2007, 2008
* Westminster Holiday Classic Most Valuable Player – 2006
* 2,128 career points scored, 7th all-time in Gwinnett County
Tuesday, October 13
Wesleyan Girls Program posts Nine-year record of 689-117, Varisty is 259-35
With the 2009-2010 season about to begin, it's time again to check in on the Wesleyan girls basketball program. The varsity Lady Wolves won their second straight state championship and sixth over the past eight years this past season en route to a record of 29-4. The JV Lady Wolves went 16-0 last year while the Eighth Grade team finished 23-1 and Seventh Grade team finished 19-3. The combined record for the Wesleyan girls program for the 2008-2009 season was an impressive 87-8, a winning percentage of 92%. Even more impressive is the combined total record of all four teams in the Wesleyan girls program over the past nine years. Since the beginning of the 2000-2001 season, Wesleyan girls basketball teams have won 85% of all games they have played, a combined record of 689-117. During this time, the varsity has won six state championships, had two state runner up finishes, two Deep South Classic titles, two Deep South Classic runner up showings, eight regular season region titles, five region tournament championships, a 7th place showing in the prestegious Nike Tournament of Champions in Phoenix and finished the 2008-2009 season ranked No. 35 in the nation by ESPN. During this time Wesleyan's varsity teams compiled a record of 259-35 (88%). When the Lady Wolves do lose, it's almost guaranteed to be at the hands of a top notch team from Georgia and from other states. Congratulations to every player who has participated in Wesleyan girls basketball over this time. Continue to work hard in the off season and you will be rewarded. Just look to the past...
Thursday, October 1
Morris makes verbal commitment to Wofford
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| Logan Morris defends vs. Norcross in '08.
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Wesleyan senior Logan Morris has accepted a basketball scholarship offer from Wofford College. A four-year varsity basketball player, Morris is entering her third season as a starter. She has helped lead the Lady Wolves to two state basketball championships, earning All-Region honors last season, when she averaged 7 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.5 steals. Morris, who maintains a 3.2 GPA, also was being recruited by the University of Georgia fastpitch softball program as an invited walk-on. She joins teammate Erin Hall (Wake Forest) in committing early to a Division I basketball program. Wofford, located in Spartanburg, SC, is a member of the Southern Conference whose members include Appalachian State, The Citadel, Elon, Furman, Georgia Southern, Samford, Tennessee-Chattanooga and Western Carolina. Morris becomes the 13th Wesleyan girls player to receive a college scholarship to play basketball. Below is the complete list of Wesleyan girls basketball scholarship receipients. Congratulations Logan on your college choice!
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PLAYER
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CLASS
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SCHOOL
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LOCATION
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| Dana Birnie |
2001
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Presbyterian College |
Clinton, SC |
| Anna Sheppard |
2002
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Presbyterian College |
Clinton, SC |
| Nikki Luckhurst |
2004
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Tulane University |
New Orleans, LA |
| Sarah Moye |
2005
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College of Charleston |
Charleston, SC |
| Carolyn Whitney |
2006
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Georgia Southern University |
Statesboro, GA |
| Elise Whitney |
2006
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Georgia Southern University |
Statesboro, GA |
| LeLe LeSeur |
2006
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Bucknell University |
Lewisburg, PA |
| Amaris Wilson |
2006
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Oglethorpe University |
Atlanta, GA |
| Sarah Delk |
2007
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Brown University |
Providence, RI |
| Anne Marie Armstrong |
2009
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University of Georgia |
Athens, GA |
| Chantel Kennedy |
2009
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Colorado State University |
Fort Collins, CO |
| Erin Hall |
2010
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Wake Forest University |
Winston-Salem, NC |
| Logan Morris |
2010
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Wofford College |
Spartanburg, SC |
Tuesday, August 11
Armstrong finishes career ranked 7th in Gwinnett County career points scored
Anne Marie Armstrong finished her Wesleyan career with 2,128 points which ranks her seventh all time in Gwinnett County. She joins 2004 Wesleyan grad Nikki Luckhurst in the top 10.
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NAME
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SCHOOL
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POINTS
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YEARS PLAYED
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| 1. |
Cindy Brogdon |
Greater Atlanta Christian |
2,672
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1971-1975
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| 2. |
Maya Moore |
Collins Hill |
2,664
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2003-2007
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| 3. |
Stephanie Higgs |
Central Gwinnett |
2,540
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1999-2003
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| 4. |
Nikki Luckhurst |
Wesleyan |
2,393
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2000-2004
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| 5. |
Sherill Baker |
Greater Atlanta Christian |
2,276
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1998-2002
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| 6. |
Christi Thomas |
Buford |
2,174
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1996-2000
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| 7. |
Anne Marie Armstrong |
Wesleyan |
2,128
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2005-2009
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| 8. |
Betsy Foy |
South Gwinnett |
2,081
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1993-1997
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| 9. |
Alex Stewart |
Norcross |
2,035
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1995-1999
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| 10. |
Ida Neal |
Central Gwinnett |
2,013
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1981-1985
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| 10. |
Julie Copeland |
Norcross
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2,007
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1983-1987
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Tuesday, July 21
Wesleyan ranks fifth in all-time state championships won in Georgia history
The rise of Wesleyan's girl's basketball program has been meteoric to say the least...six state championships in 12 years of existence. Wesleyan currently ranks tied for fifth in all-time state girls basketball championships won in Georgia history. To give perspective to this accomplishment, the list of all-time girls basketball state championships won is listed below. None have been accumulated as quickly as those won by the Lady Wolves. This is an attestment to the dedication of Coach Azar, her staff and her players throughout the years. Congratulations to all who have been associated with the Wesleyan program over the past 12 years for these outstanding achievements.
Monday, June 29
Hall makes verbal commitment to Wake Forest
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| Erin Hall in action during the 2009 state tournament
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Wesleyan rising senior Erin Hall has decided to continue her education and basektball career at Wake Forest University. She gave the school a verbal committment last week after gaining attention from several Division I schools including Georgia Tech, Princeton, Vanderbilt, Virginia and Tulane. "My parents and I sat down and went through what I wanted in a college," Hall said in an interview with the Gwinnett Daily Post. "I didn't want to go to a huge school with 100 people in a class. I wanted a smaller school, but one that was still Division I and good with athletics and academically strong, too." The 5-foot-9 senior averaged 14.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.3 steals per game last season as Wesleyan went 29-4, won its second straight state title and finished the season ranked No. 35 in the country by ESPN. "It's great for Erin to go this big," Wesleyan coach Jan Azar said. "I think it says a lot about her. I've not seen too many players - boys or girls - who are as good a shooter as she is. Wake's been on her from the beginning. They've gotten to know her and she knows them well. I think it's an excellent fit." Erin will become the first Wesleyan player to receive a basketball scholarship to a school in the Atlantic Coast Conference which is considered one of the top conferences in the country for womens basketball. The Demon Decons are coming off a 21-11 season in which the team earned its second Women's NIT berth in five years. With her verbal commitment to Wake Forest, Erin becomes the 12th Wesleyan girls player to receive a college scholarship to play basketball. Below is the complete list of Wesleyan girls basketball scholarship receipients. Congratulations Erin on your college choice!
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PLAYER
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CLASS
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SCHOOL
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LOCATION
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Dana Birnie
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2001
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Presbyterian College
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Clinton, SC
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Anna Sheppard
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2002
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Presbyterian College
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Clinton, SC
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Nikki Luckhurst
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2004
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Tulane University
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New Orleans, LA
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Sarah Moye
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2005
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College of Charleston
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Charleston, SC
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Carolyn Whitney
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2006
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Georgia Southern University
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Statesboro, GA
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Elise Whitney
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2006
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Georgia Southern University
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Statesboro, GA
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LeLe LeSeur
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2006
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Bucknell University
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Lewisburg, PA
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Amaris Wilson
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2006
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Oglethorpe University
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Atlanta, GA
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Sarah Delk
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2007
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Brown University
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Providence, RI
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Anne Marie Armstrong
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2009
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University of Georgia
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Athens, GA
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Chantel Kennedy
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2009
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Colorado State University
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Fort Collins, CO
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Erin Hall
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2010
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Wake Forest University
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Winston-Salem, NC
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Saturday, June 13
Lady Wolves ranked No. 35 in nation ESPN final poll
**Click on "News" for articles from earlier in the season
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