The Strictly x Strib Varsity Tour will feature select boys and girls basketball matchups to showcase and celebrate Minnesota student-athletes and teams
Minneapolis, Minn. — The Minnesota Star Tribune today announced a new partnership between Strib Varsity and Strictly Bball to launch a season-long collaboration celebrating high school basketball across the state: The Strictly x Strib Varsity Tour. Launched in August of this year, Strib Varsity is a multi-faceted Minnesota high school sports hub offering scores and stats across 32 sports, livestreaming of games, and quality reporting from Minnesota Star Tribune writers and photographers. Strictly Bball is a popular social media brand with a robust following on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Created in Minnesota by Minnesotans, the Strictly brand has earned a nationwide following by delivering interest content on several sports, most prominently basketball.
The Tour piece of this one-of-a-kind partnership will showcase 10 marquee boys and girls basketball games, creating an elevated experience for fans, players, and communities across Minnesota. Through coordinated promotion, in-depth game coverage and compelling storytelling, every stop on the tour will feel special. Strictly Bball will also highlight Strib Varsity content throughout the season — from preseason dream teams and player rankings to postseason awards — maintaining excitement around Minnesota high school basketball.
“This partnership represents the best of both worlds — Strictly’s unique storytelling energy and Strib Varsity’s deep commitment to high school sports,” said Chris Carr, director of Strib Varsity at the Minnesota Star Tribune. “Together, we’ll deliver high school basketball coverage that celebrates student-athletes and communities while connecting with fans in fresh ways.”
“One of our top focuses as a company is to highlight the incredible and underrated basketball talent that continues to be playing here in Minnesota. This is the reason we established our annual 3×3 basketball event here, and it’s also the reason we are so excited to partner with Strib Varsity on this tour,” said Joe Doerrer, co-creator of Strictly Bball. “We look forward to highlighting the best players and teams across the state and interacting with so many fans in attendance at these games.”
“Strictly x Strib Varsity Tour” dates:
- Dec. 4: Mankato East @ Faribault (Boys)
- Dec. 9: Rock Ridge @ Duluth Marshall (Girls)
- Dec. 22: Crosby-Ironton @ Rosemount (Girls)
- Jan. 2: East Ridge @ Totino-Grace (Boys)
- Jan. 13: Wayzata @ Maple Grove (Boys)
- Jan. 20: Hopkins @ Minnetonka (Girls)
- Jan. 23: Lakeville South @ Lakeville North (Girls)
- Jan. 31: Cretin-Derham Hall @ DeLaSalle (Boys)
- Feb. 4: Mahtomedi @ Tartan (Boys)
- Feb. 6: Providence Academy @ Hill-Murray (Girls)
Coverage will appear across Strictly Bball/Strictly Minnesota and Strib Varsity social media channels, on StribVarsity.com, and within Strib Varsity articles online. Read more about the Strictly x Strib Varsity partnership.
About The Minnesota Star Tribune
The Minnesota Star Tribune is an innovative modern media organization building on an extraordinary 158-year legacy. With seven Pulitzer Prizes and hundreds of other awards, the Minnesota Star Tribune boasts the Midwest’s largest news organization and is an unrivaled force for journalistic excellence in Minnesota and beyond. As the heart and voice of the north, the Minnesota Star Tribune is on a journey to create the leading model for local news in America – driving innovation in media to make every Minnesotan’s life better. For more information, visit www.startribunecompany.com.
About Strictly BBall
Strictly BBall is a social media brand created by childhood friends, Joe Doerrer and Nolan Newberg, in 2020. They grew a following first by covering local high school basketball players, one being Chet Holmgren. They now cover all levels of basketball nationwide and have become known for their distinct storytelling voiceover style. Strictly now has over 4 million social media followers across platforms and has worked directly with companies like the NBA, the Big Ten Conference, Unrivaled and Overtime Elite. Experience Strictly’s storytelling about the next generation of basketball stars by looking for the @strictlybball and @strictlyminnesota social handles on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube and beyond.