• Buchan

Another of Scotland's most exciting basketball prospects is heading for the United States later this year. Mairi Buchan is a pupil at Denny High School and a member of Falkirk Fury and the 6ft 2in forward is possibly Scotland's best hope of a place in the Great Britain team for the 2012 Olympics.
A key member of the Scotland age group teams in recent years, she has been heavily recruited by several leading American division one universities.
Now, after a visit to the USA to have a close look at two of those, Buchan has verbally committed to Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. "It's the right fit, the basketball is such a fantastic programme to be part of, but it is also a great school where I can continue my education.
" The Lady Monarchs, as they are known, are currently number 24 in the NCAA division one rankings and Buchan is believed to be the first Scottish female player to be recruited to a Top 25 US college.
First however she will play for Scotland in the European Junior B Championships in Macedonia in June and is hoping also to play for Great Britain in their Under-20 European campaign in Poland the following month.
"Mairi is a role model for any girl out there with aspirations to play at the highest level," says Scotland's national junior women's coach Donna Finnie, who, along with Mairi's father, accompanied her to Virginia.
"She'll play with and against some great athletes over the next four years and this decision will assist her goal of making the GB senior team."
"Old Dominion is a top university and plays one of the toughest schedules in the country while giving their athletes fantastic support."
Wendy Larry, head coach to the Lady Monarchs is one of the most successful female coaches in the USA, having won 16 Colonial Athletic Conference titles in a row.

• BULL TAKES CHARGE

Iain "The Bull" Maclean has been re-appointed coach to the Scottish Universities men's team who will defend their British title at the British Universities Games in Edinburgh in April.
Maclean, who is also in charge of the Scottish national side who will contest the European C Championship in Edinburgh in June, will again be assisted by St Mirren coach Stuart Glass. Together they steered Scotland to their first win over England for a generation in clinching the title at Riccarton last April.

• DONNA FINNIE IS NEW WOMEN'S COACH

Donna Finnie, Scotland's most successful female coach and coach to the national junior women's side, has been appointed coach of the Scottish Universities women's team for the first time. She has still to apoint her assistants.

• MEGAN BACK IN SPAIN - HITS HEIGHTS IN PYRENEES

Megan Moody, the Australian-born Scot who excelled for Great Britain women in their European Championship campaign last year, has moved clubs in Spain to Cadi La Seu D'Urgell, who are in the North, close to Andorra.
Moody, who was released by Gran Canaria because she had to have surgery on her wisdom teeth, is averaging 33 minutes and 14 points a game for her new side who are vying for a top eight position. "I'm looking forward to being part of the GB set-up again this year," said Moody, whose mother hails from Bridge of Allan.