• Letters to Coach and Christy •

You were such a wonderful host to our team and families!!! All the special events and the tournament itself was worth the effort to participate, many times over. Of course the girls hoped to win the tournament, but felt good about competing and having a trophy to bring home.

My brother said that last night's hypnotist activity was the highlight of the whole trip. He said it would have been worth making the trip just for that event. Three of our girls participated. They don't remember a thing but will have video and stories from others to relive it.

I know how much hard work that you and others put into the event and really worked to make it special for all participants. I was sad to have to leave early, but heard great things about the remainder of the week from our team.

Consider us for a BOY'S high school invitation in 3 years (2011). My nephews will be a junior and senior then.

Thank you for the wonderful memories/hospitality and God Bless!

Joyce McFarland
WNBA Someday
Nez Perce Tribe, Idaho
8/10/08

     As the founder of the newly created Upcountry Elite Program, we would like to send our thanks and appreciation to you. It was a wonderful opportunity and learning experience for myself as well as my children. The program was created to teach the kids in our community not only basketball fundamentals, but also life skills. Our children have faced adversity all their lives from: drugs, alcohol, divorced parents, death in family, abuse, gang related issues, etc. Myself along with a few coaches, have dedicated our lives to showing these kids, if you believe in yourself and have the right work ethic, great things can happen. So for the last 6 months, my children have practiced very hard everyday, as well as donating their time to various community services. They have spend many hours: playing with special needs children, cleaning various public areas, along with other activities.
    Thanks to your beautiful tournament, my children have reached a goal. Their goal was not to win the tournament, although we strive for excellence on and off the court, but just to get to the tournament and prove that we belong. My kids now believe they can do something special with their lives. After our last game of the tournament, we sat down as a team. Every player on the team not only talked about their problems in life, but also their goals for the future. We now have kids that strive to do special things, like going to college, compared to six months ago where they didnt care about going to class.
My kids are my life. And now my life has a positive future. Upcountry Elite has a positive future. From the bottom of my heart, Thank you. 
 
Lots of love and respect,
            Jonathan Furtado
            Founder of Upcountry Elite Basketball
            8/10/08

Thank you for all you did for the tournament. It was a great experience for our girls and I am sure it created some lasting memories for them.

Mahalo

Mike Heavey
Northside Prep, Illinois
8/10/08

Thank you so much for all your work in putting together the basketball tournament! From the very beginning with the flow of e-mails back and forth between you and Jacqueline, and then with me, Coach Marshall and the team while we were there, you were available for everything!

Highlights for me were the: Luau cruise, New Year's Eve party, the teams participating, the expertise of the training staff, gym personnel, the officials (especially Jacqueline and the finals crew), aris