Three female hockey players from the north metro were part of the recent USA Hockey Under-18 series.

Centennial teammates Gabbie Hughes and Anneke Linser joined Maple Grove's Taylor Wente on the U.S. team that played three games against Canada in Lake Placid, N.Y. Minnesota players made up half of the 22-person roster. The U.S. defeated Canada in two of three games.

Mahtomedi honors greats

The Mahtomedi High School Hall of Fame Class of 2016 will be inducted at the Zephyrs' football game against St. Thomas Academy on Friday.

Being honored are Missy (Borell) Vaughn, Jeff Lowenberg, Jerry Vanblaricom, Jeff Whisler and, for its community support, the Kramer-Berg American Legion Post No. 507.

Braziel back in Heights

One of the most successful boys' basketball coaches in Columbia Heights history returns to the Hylanders' bench this winter.

In 2010-11, Willie Braziel led the program to its first state tournament appearance in 81 years. He coached for six seasons then left the Hylanders after the 2012-2013 season to take the same job at Bloomington Kennedy.

"I wanted to see if I could coach at a larger school," Braziel said. I wanted that challenge."

The Eagles went 0-27 last season. But the lack of success wasn't the reason Braziel left.

"I wanted to go back to where I felt comfortable," he said. "Columbia Heights has a small-community feel."

David La Vaque