For the Journal

POCATELLO - The eighth-grade Grace Lutheran girls' basketball team will be the first team to represent Idaho in the National Lutheran Basketball Association of America Invitational Tournament.

The 13-1 Grace Lutheran girls received an invitation to the 63rd annual tournament in Valparasio, Ind., after they won an eight-team Lutheran tournament in Salt Lake City.

"I don't know really what to expect. We've never been there," said first-year Grace Lutheran coach Katie Brock.

However, Brock is confident in her team's ability to adjust to the large-scale tournament setting and play its best.

"This team is really dynamic. They work together so well, and they work so hard and they're athletes - born athletes," Brock said.

Morgan Shaver, the team's point guard, shares her coach's enthusiasm for the tournament opportunity.

"I'm excited, but I'm a little bit nervous because I don't know what's to come. I think we can do it, though," Shaver said.

Players have been showing up to daily 6 a.m. practices in preparation for the event.

Brock's players have not only been working hard on the court, but they have also been fundraising for their upcoming trip to Indiana.

Along with selling concessions at the boys' basketball games, the girls will also be dancing with the Texas Roadhouse dancers on Feb. 23.

To support the team, community members can present vouchers to Texas Roadhouse that will direct 10 percent of the proceeds from their meals to the Grace Lutheran team.

The vouchers are available at the Grace Lutheran School, located at 1350 Baldy Ave., Shaver Pharmacy & Compounding, located at 235 South Fourth Ave., and Sierra's Crafts located at 4150 Yellowstone Ave.