Channel 5 Eyewitness News (March 9, 2016) Minneapolis North Community School’s boys basketball program was as powerful a powerhouse as you’ll see in prep sports. In 23 years from 1980 to 2003, the Polars made fifteen State Tournament appearances. They finished as runners-up three times and claimed five State Championships in 1980, 1995, 1996, 1997…
The Polars return to the state tournament after a 13-year absence with a goal of honoring their past. Minneapolis Star Tribune (March 8, 2016) The basketball history is so rich at Minneapolis North that there are times before practice starts when coach Larry McKenzie calls his players over, has them sit on the court and just look…
Robert Ware, the first-year Totino-Grace basketball coach, teaches on and off the court. Minneapolis Star Tribune (February 15, 2016) Robert Ware’s first brush with Totino-Grace basketball came in 1998 when his Minneapolis Henry team played the Eagles and star Darius Lane. In those days, hoops fans showed up to the Fridley private school gym by…
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) (January 19, 2016) A huge high school basketball matchup Tuesday night was about more than just the game — the top-ranked North High School Polars faced the top-ranked Hopkins Royals. And for North High, athletics have helped a struggling school make an incredible comeback. Long lines of fans leading into a packed house…
KARE 11 (January 11, 2017) Community members in Minneapolis are actively working to stop the violence after a violent 24 hours over the weekend. The Minneapolis police chief says she has added more resources to protect the Minneapolis’ Warehouse District. The Hennepin County Attorney has sent “nuisance property” letters to business owners. And now we are…
Insight News Larry McKenzie, North High School’s basketball coach, was among four inductees to the Minnesota Basketball Coaches Association (MBCA) Hall of Fame on Nov. 1. The Hall of Fame recognizes Minnesota coaches who have made significant contributions to high school basketball through their achievements and service. McKenzie is the first African-American coach to receive…
Minnesota State High School League (October 20, 2014) The Minnesota Basketball Coaches Association has named four men who will be inducted into the MBCA Hall of Fame November 1, 2014. The purpose of the MBCA Hall of Fame is to give special recognition to the people of Minnesota who have made significant contributions to promote…
Insight News (August 18, 2014) “We have to be the change we wish to see,” said Larry McKenzie, Charter School Liaison for Pillsbury United Communities and celebrated Boy’s Basketball Coach for Minneapolis North High School. “The youth don’t know the people serving the community. They fear (both) the perpetrators, and those serving them in leadership.…
WCCO (December 7, 2013) Larry McKenzie has been a fixture in Minnesota high school basketball for decades, and now he feels he’s back where he belongs. That’s in a city gym in Minneapolis. “I just felt like I needed to come back to the city,” McKenzie said. “Because these are the kids that really, really needed me.”…