Brian's 2009 In Review

Hard to believe 2009 is pretty much gone now, and looking back on the year in sports, I think it's safe to say, what it year it has been! One thing that I hope does not go unnoticed from 2009 is the overall quality of athletes that graduated around our area, and around the State - athletes that signed letters of intent to continue playing the sports they excelled at further on at the collegiate level. Obviously, several of these student-athletes became higher-profile stories, the likes of which we haven't seen in quite a few years, and as a broadcaster, it was really easy to get caught up in just how special the Class of 2009 really was. Here are some things from the 2009 sports year in South Dakota that I won't soon forget.

First of all, Lady Govs basketball. For a group of seniors that had been together on the varsity squad since their sophomore year, unfortunately, the dream never came true, as they were beat out by eventual champion Watertown in the semifinal round of the State Tournament. Four seniors on that team signed to play collegiately, of course most notably Katie Lingle and Steph Paluch at SDSU. Let's not forget Paluch's efforts, though - the single-game and all-time leading scorer at Riggs High School now, boys or girls, and the first ever winner of the Spirit of Su Award from Pierre. Not bad for a young lady who was also great enough to be named Miss Volleyball in her senior year as well.

The Governor basketball team became a sight to see in 2009 as well, even though my broadcast schedule prevents me from seeing them a whole lot. The Govs were a buzzer beater away from playing in the winner's bracket at State, but they ended up a resounding Consolation Champion with their high-scoring offensive showcase.

The Governor Track team saw their streak of 3 straight State Team Titles come to an end, but still finished a respectable 3rd place, as Matt Tetzlaff finished off his stellar career. And so did Alec Espeland, who steadily became one of the best middle distance runners in the state, and was so awarded by being named the Outstanding Athlete at the State Track Meet. Do you realize that Pierre competitors have been named Outstanding Athletes in the last FIVE State Track Meets now?!!

Another highlight (or heartbreak) of my broadcast year was not being able to follow Sam Ostarello and the Stanley County Lady Buffaloes to the State Basketball Tournament. Cheyenne-EB upended the Lady Buffs in the district championship and went on to State, where I was able to follow them still, but Lady Buff fans were left wondering what might have been. SamO capped her senior year with a third straight State A High Jump Championship, and then was also named South Dakota's Miss Basketball for 2009, but like the Lady Govs 2009 seniors, I was very sad to see Sam's career come to an end as well.

On a higher note, 2009 (finally) became the year that the Sully Buttes boys basketball team won it all, their first title since being called "Sully Buttes." They beat White River in the championship, who themselves put together an incredible season in their first without Louie Krogman. That's one thing I missed in 2009, though, as I happened to be at the National Bowling Tournament in Las Vegas on that particular weekend.

Speaking of bowling, for me personally, 2009 was a good year as well. I cashed at Nationals, if only enough to get my entry fee back, but that's not always very easy to do. :o) I was however, a member of the State Team Champion at the 2009 State Open Tournament in Sioux Falls, where Scott Stabnow, Willie Know, Brad Huck and I set a State Tournament record with a 3004 scratch total - an average of a 751 three-game series per bowler. I also had the pleasure of coaching several youth bowlers who won State Championships at the State Youth Tournament in Mitchell this past year as well.

I know there are several other student-athletes and stories that deserve mention with their accomplishments in 2009, so I hope that you will add your favorite moments and memories to this discussion as well.

With more great sports to come in 2010, Happy New Decade, everyone!!
- Brian

Oh yeah, almost forgot - 2009 was the year the Steelers reigned as World Champions, which was pretty cool, too. (Yes, I'm aware we won't be repeating that feat.....) And that Joe Mauer guy? He's pretty good, too. :o)

Rod's Tuesday Take n things

As a Bears fan, I can and must humbly say only one thing. "I'll be damned". I didn't think Jay Cutler had it in him! Not this year anymore. While his statistics were lower than Mr. Football Bret Favre, Cutler, having one of the worst seasons in recent quarterback history in the NFL came up big and outdeuled the annointed one. I know Adrian Peterson fumbles alot, but if you Vikings fans would like to get rid of him, we'll take him on the spot, fumbles and all!! And Vikings fans, remember, you only had one of the Williams last night in the Defensive Line and it made a huge difference. The Bears actually were able to run the ball to open up everything else. I thought Ben Leber and Chad Greenway did not play particularly well for the Vikings and Antoine Winfield getting beat as badly as he did on the winning TD pass in OT makes one wonder if he is healthy enough to be able to cover one on one against the really good recievers the Vikings will face in the playoffs. And if there was any doubt, Brett Favre is calling the shots and Brad Childress is taking the Public Relations heat to save the annointed one's hall of fame hiney. Makes you wonder one thing though. The Vikings are not a cold weather team of which they prove every year. And Zigi wants an outdoor stadium in Minneapolis in the winter time?

Darren Boyle's weekly words of wisdom.... MNF in the "man cave"

Keyshon Johnson as a ESPN analyst saying that Brett Farve should conform and just run the plays as they are called????My son Jared says C'MON MAN!!!! My sons and I witnessed a quite lethargic first half performance by the Vikings as they dug a 16-0 hole. We saw a team without alot of life and they were manhandled on both sides of the ball. We got to see alot of the stretch play to the right from the Vikings that didnt result in alot of rushing yards and only 26 yards passing. As the Vikings got the ball in the second half they moved the ball quickly and got a TD. What happened next??? The Bears had a big kickoff return and scored 5 plays later. On the next drive the Vikes were moving the ball well and had the ball inside the 5 yard line when Mr "offensive genius" changed the personel to the goalline package. Much to the displeasure of a certain quarterback wearing the road white. I have been in the workforce for quite a long time and worked for alot of individuals I didnt see eye to eye with. And I have worked for some who were completely over their heads, but still were the ones who felt they had to make the big decisions even if they were wrong..So I can truly feel for Brett.. Farve's legacy is being judged not by 17 years in Green Bay and a super bowl win, but by what happens this season. Anything less than a trip to the Super Bowl will be considered a failure. If you were in that situation wouldnt you want to be a part of the decision making process? Especially if you didnt have alot of faith in your management. You can see that Brett Farve isnt 100% in love with the play calling. 6:00 left in the game, and the ESPN guys in the booth are talking about how Farve is changing plays at the line of scrimmage, somehow, magically they seem to be moving the ball down field. Huh, a play is called and when the qb sees the defense, he changes the play so it works. Who would be so bold? A short run by AP and the game is tied @ 23. Maybe home field isnt out of the question. WHAT!!!!!!!!!!! A directional kick and the Bears still run it back to the 25 then a quick TD by the Bears. In less than a minute it is 30-23 Bears. A first half snoozefest is becoming a trackmeet in the fourth quarter. Now at the two minute warning the Vikes are inside the Bear 35. Inside the 10 now with ;30 left. throw to Harvin in the endzone too high and incomplete. Now its fourth down, heres the ball game. To Sidney Rice.....TOUCHDOWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!30-30 Bears have the ball with 9 seconds and timeouts left and what do they do??? THEY TAKE A KNEE????? That is showing faith in your QB right Mr. Fisher? Bears win the toss and on the first play of OT get a long pass play inside the Viking 40. Now here comes Robbie Gould to win it...................NO GOOD!!!!!!And the Vikings have another chance. The Bears have no choice but to blitz. Nice job by the Minnesots Matadors eh? Pressure and an incompletion on first down, then Farve is sacked on second and third down. And the Bears have the ball back. They go three and out. Here comes the Vikes... And AP fumbles???????? AGAIN????????Bears with the ball. Cutler to the endzone.............TOUCHDOWN BEARS and the game is over 36-30. Why doesnt it suprise me that the much maligned Jay Cutler, has his best game of the year against the Vikings? In a game that mattered to the Purple and not to Chicago. The Bears win and the road to the Super Bowl will go through New Orleans. Yes, it is true the Vikings played great in the second half, but obviously they were not ready to play in the first half and the blame can only be put on the shoulders of the true Viking Season Killer Brad Childress. Remember about a month ago he got a contract extension? When, in his tenure they have NEVER been in a conference championship game let alone a Super Bowl. Now with his fat contract he is in a position to blame his QB if they lose. That is the ONLY reason Childress begged Farve to come out of retirement. You read it here first folks, remember that boss you had or have that was over his head??? When you think about it, they will remind you of Brad Childress. Dont forget our doubleheader tomorrow as Miller travels to Todd Co. 5:00 tipoff see you then

Rod's Monday Take n Things

New Orleans gave the Vikings a huge Christmas present yesterday. Losing to Tampa Bay. Just what the Vikings needed. Hope to still get the top seed and home field throughout the playoffs. The Vikings will take care of their end of the deal beating Chicago and the New York football Giants. They have to hope that Carolina has an effort like they did last week agains the Vikings on Sunday to beat the Saints. That would give the Vikings that all important home field that they have to have to win in the playoffs. I was just thinking that in a few days, we begin a new decade. My, looking back some of the highlights of the last 10 years would have to be the Governors making the state AA basketball tournament championship game in 2001 and all of the things that went on, on and off the field that March. I would have to say my boys provided me with some decade of highlights. My oldest son Trevor and the 2003 State Legion baseball tournament hosted by Pierre and the elimination game against Rapid City Post 22 where Stan Evans and the umpiring crew refused to enforce the Legion baseball slide rule against Pat Moran of Post 22. Didn't want to tick off Coach Ploof apparently. Or the two home runs in the same game he hit the year earlier in Valley Springs thanks in part to a 40 mph wind blowing out, but he wasn't a home run hitter. And my other son Mike hitting some home runs that they still talk about. The one he hit over the Big D sign on the top of the scoreboard in the 05 state tournament in Rapid City which in broadcasting the game I came up with one of my better quotable qoutes, even if I do say so myself. "Will some one check to see if that ball came down or did it burn up in reentry". Or the homer he hit against Parkston in the first game of the 07 state legion tournament here in Pierre that was the game winner or his batting over .600 at the Dickinson tournament that year where he was named MVP. They told me he had it sewed up before the Sunday game but I couldn't tell anybody until after we were done in the tournament. And then there was the 06 basketball season with Tviedt and Willard and Fisher and the 2nd place finish and the 20 point comeback at Brandon Valley that fell short when Willard put a shot off the top of the backboard with a couple of seconds left that would have tied it. But he wasn't fouled, right! Sam always had trouble hitting the top of the backboard with his shots. Last year's region boys basketball win at Stevens where Pierre made up a 13 point deficit in the final minute and a half to win, make state tournament and then lose at the buzzer to O'Gorman in the opening round only to win the consolation championship in convincing fashion. The two Lady Gov losses in the AA basketball championships but the two buzzer beaters in the semi final round those two years by Polly Gill and Steph Paluch that put them in the championship game. In football, the three semi final visits in the playoffs in 2000, 04 and 05. The Govs were oh for three but getting there was the fun. Watching Qunicy Christie run past Brandon Valley in 04 and Sioux Falls Washington in 05 and the dissapointment of losing it in the final minutes in the semi's at Yankton. Listening to the call of Harry Decker's state wrestling championshp his senior year. And the list goes on like the 07 and 08 state volleyball tournaments for the Lady Govs. I know I omitted many things but I hope you get the point. With 2010 on the very near horizen, I won't forget the snow storm of last weekend, that's for sure, but let's just enjoy the moments our athletes give us in Pierre and Ft. Pierre and all over. In 10 years, we can sit down and talk about those memorable moments still to come. I probably won't be up at 4 a.m. on New Years Eve morning like I was 10 years ago checking out if the computers of the world all came to a grinding halt and Y2K was true. 4 a.m. our time is is midnight somewhere in the South Pacific where 2010 will first be celebrated. Happy New Years.

Brian's Sunday Shpeel

I guess it's my turn to wish everyone a Happy Holiday Season - I hope you all have received what you had hoped for Christmas, but most of all, I hope everyone has made it through the weekend without too much stress from the weather, or the in-laws, or otherwise. As for me, while I was pleased with the gifts I received, I'm still waiting for that Steelers playoff berth (which would certainly be a gift at this point), and the only real major gift I received was about 10 feet of snow in my driveway over the course of the whole weekend. Had we not shoveled four times in three days, the actual size of one huge drift might have been more than that. What an impressive weather system! Stupid global warming anyway!!

Another gift I received this holiday season was a warning ticket (which I appreciated) as I drove home from covering the Lady Govs in Watertown last weekend. I guess driving 70 in a 65 is a little high in some counties. :o) But that's not the real story here, as there apparently must be some real suspicious activity in and around the Clark area. As it turned out, the patrol vehicle that I had a seat in that night was the second of three that I encountered in about a 13-mile stretch on either side of Clark. So to the SDHP, keep up the good work, and all the best to you in the upcoming new year! (Gotta stay on their good side, you know...)

Aside from my racing potential, let's talk sports. In AA girls basketball, let's see....Roosevelt, Washington, Aberdeen - all have been ranked #1 or #2 in the first two weeks of the season, and all have been beaten by SF Lincoln so far, and of course Lincoln's only loss so far came last weekend here in Pierre in a game that they never led in the last three quarters. I'm not going to begin to call the Lady Govs a #1 ranked team, but if anyone out there thought this season might see a huge dropoff, well, maybe things will turn out a lot more interesting for you than you had anticipated. Games in Rapid City this coming week should be tough, especially at Central Tuesday night, with some good things expected from the Cobbs.

And hey, speaking of interesting, the Governor wrestling squad has shown some real ability early on this season. A close dual against a pretty much unanimous ESD favorite Aberdeen and a runaway tournament win at Valentine against some pretty salty Nebraska competition before the break, and now another home dual against Watertown, whom the Govs beat in the Arrows' own dual tournament, coming up Saturday (on KGFX)...here's hoping the Govs can stay healthy through the season and make some noise in the next couple of months! Stay tuned, and again, Happy Holidays!!

Darren Boyle's Weekly Words of Wisdom

First of all, merry christmas to everyone although it is a day or two late. I got a new laptop from my wife and now it is set up in my "man cave" a.k.a. our basement and now I wont have to battle for computer time and I can be a blogging machine. If you listen to our sportscasts on the internet, have you checked out our new live chat feature? Do you like it? I would like to get the imput from you our listeners so we can continue to improve our coverage. We have had alot of games on our early schedule and have seen some surprises. I felt that Lyman's boys bb team lost alot to graduation last season but appear to be a young, but very quick team that will have some bumps early but should be ok by the time it matters. Millers boys team has alot of letterwinners back and look very good, and White River's boys made a splash early this year by winning the LNI. From what I have seen on the girls side, Miller looks to be in good shape. It's not every girls team that has 6 players 5'11" on their roster. Its way too early to start talking favorites though and we will have a good double header for you this Tuesday as Miller goes to Todd County. Tipoff @ 5:00 on KPLO. On the Vikings front, I was much maligned earlier in the year about my reluctance to drink the purple kool-aid when VSK came on board. And honestly, it was pretty hard to make fun of a team that was 10-1 at one point. But now after the Vikes have lost two of the last three we see some chinks in their armor. It think now most would agree that VSK would have played for the Vikings whoever was the coach just to get back at the Packers for running him off, so we can forget the whole long lost friend deal with VSK and Childress. And now that the Vikes beat the Pack not once but twice this year, VSK seems to have lost some interest in whats going on. There was a play during the second half of the Cardinals game where VSK got thrown down and sacked, on the following play he threw an intercepion. he left the field with a look like he would have rather been anywhere else. Childress on the other hand got his contract extension when the Vikings were on their roll and now wants to do things his way or else. That's why the power struggle between VSK and Childress reached the boiling point last Sunday @ Carolina. VSK called a few too many audibles and Childress was going to bench him. Farve airs out most of his dirty laundry through the media so now its all public. I would also expect that the way AP has performed lately and the way the Minnesota Matadors a.k.a the offensive line, has blocked lately there is some bickering in the lockeroom as well. And thats just the problems with the offense. The defense was getting tons of praise around the league for getting after the QB six weeks ago, now they are constantly being victims of screens and misdirection plays mostly run at the side of Jared Allen. A first round bye isnt a sure deal, if they lose to the Bears Monday night, they finish the season with a must win game against the Giants. The Giants will need to win to get into the playoffs, so it is possible the Vikes could be on a three game losing streak coming in the the playoffs without the bye week. So in the end who is to blame for all this? Farve??? Not hardly. The real Viking Season Killer is Brad Childress. If he was half the "genius" he was made out to be do you think the Eagles would have let him get away? When Childress left Philadelphia to come to Minnesota, Andy Reid was on the hot seat remember? No way would the Eagles have let him go to another team in the NFC. Whats going to happen over the next few weeks? Who is going to step up and motivate this team to turn things around? If the Childress era has showed us anything, we as Viking fans are screwed.

Rod's Wednesday take

First off, Merry Christmas. Now, I have been asked several times since Saturday if Travis Adney's 32 points Saturday against Sioux Falls Lincoln is a Pierre Governor single game scoring record. I have done some checking and apparently there is no list of single game individual scoring records. I can tell you this. I first came to Pierre in 1979 so from that first team I covered from the 79-80 season to last Saturday, I can only go from memory. Troy Schaffer scored 30 points in 1983 against Todd County in the Region Championship game in Mission. That is the only 30 point single game individual performance I can come up with. There have been several players that have been in the upper 20's. Michael Gardner two years ago. Curry Kuehl last year. DJ Prue in 2001. Shane Prunty went off for some big scoring games in the mid 90's but not 30 or more from what I have been able to find out. If someone out there knows please post a comment. Like I say, from 78-79 and before, I am not sure. Joe Ashley might of, but I doubt it. I know the only time Michael Tveidt went for 30 was when he was in 7th grade and was playing traveling team for my wife and I. He went off for 30 against a Mitchell team. Jon Christensen had at least 30 for that Mitchell squad too. But that doesn't count except we won. Sam Willard went off for some mid to upper 20 games a time or two also. Steph Paluch scored 30 or more 5 times last year. 34 in a game twice. So I guess she would be the school leader boys and/or girls. Karen Hasek had a 30 point game in 1982. The amazing thing about Adney's 32 the other night was that he went 9 for 11 from the field. His two misses were his first two shots of the game. So he finishes 9 of 9 and 2 for 2 from 3 point range. The rest from the free throw line. And it came kinda of quietly until he hit his two three's back to back in the 4th quarter. I decided to count up how many he scored after he made the back end of a two free throw situation. I knew he had alot but when I counted it was 27!!!!! And lost in the Travis Adney shuffle was freshman Zach Hanson who had a double double! 10 points and 11 rebounds. The first double double of many over the course of the next four years we hope. So like I say, if anyone can pinpoint a player who had a 30 plus point game other than the one's I mentioned please post it. Again Merry Christmas gang. And remember the reason for the season and a little saying that I heard the other day that kinda of sums the season up. Santa's cool! But Jesus Rocks!!! It was a youngster that I heard that from by the way. But good to remember. Hope all your Christmas wishes and dreams come true!!!!

Rod's Monday Take

In the spirit of the season I deliver hope to Minnesota Vikings Nation. Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great coming football joy. Despite the fact that the Vikings stunk last night, the light not on the tree, but at the end of the tunnel shines on Chicago. For that Vikings believers is where the Vikings play next. On Monday night, the Vikings, who have stunk on national TV in their last two primetime night games play the Chicago Bears who have really stunk all 3 times they have played night games in prime time on national TV. The football gods will deliver to you, Vikings nation, Jay Cutler, the quarterback that will help you forget about last night. And two weeks ago last night. Jay Cutler, the most overpaid, overrated quarterback in all of the league. Where oh where is Rex Grossman when we need him. 3 more interceptions yesterday before getting benched at Baltimore to add to his league leading of receptions the other way. The football gods will be good to all you Vikings fans in delivering a game to you that the Vikings need at the right time. Merry Christmas and no need to thank any of us Bears fan. Jay Cutler has been the gift to teams on the Bears schedule this year that have just kept on Giving and Giving. And isn't that what the season is all about?

Rod's Saturday night thoughts

Wow, what a great night for Governor and Lady Governor basketball. Both varsity teams defeat good Sioux Falls Lincoln teams. The Governors may have started coming of age with their win. Down 11 in the third quarter, they come back and were not to be denied. Travis Adney has a 32 point night. Coach Becker is thinking back and is not sure if anyone has scored 30 or more in a game since he has been here. Michael Tviedt, Michael Gardner, Curry Kuehl came close but until we look at the records it might a first. As one can imagine, the guys are a happy group and they should be. They gave themselves an early Christmas gift. Graham Schuetzle and Taylor Becker are the two seniors who can really be happy. And the young guys, freshman Zach Hanson and Layne Severyn and sophomore Joe Tetzlaff all did good things down the stretch when Lincoln was looking to regain the lead and could not. Pierre outscored Lincoln 29-11 at the line and got to the free throw lline 20 more times that Lincoln 42 to 22. Pierre outscored Lincoln 27-13 in the 4th quarter. And we outbounded Lincoln 43-42. It was a coming out party for this young Governor team. And the Governor wrestlers win the Valentine Invitational again. 3rd straight year. 4 champ. 11 of 13 place winners. Nicely done coach Noyes and Sullivan and guys. The only down note for Pierre sports fans might be the SDSU women's loss at Utah this afternoon. Just looking at the final stats, Steph Paluch and Katie Lingle did not play for the Jacks today.

Rod's Tuesday Thoughts

As I have stated, I was in attendance of the Bengals and Vikings game on Sunday. Only the second professional football game I have ever attended. The first was in 1975 in the old Met Stadium when Walter Payton was a rookie. Both games, the Vikings won and won big. On Sunday, It was borderline boring. Very little excitement. Very few big plays. Perhaps it is more exciting when the team you root for is one of the team's playing. There was not the excitement of a college game. There might have been just as many "intoxicated" young ones as a college game. I could have almost taken a nap except for that stupid horn blowing would have woke me up. Maybe it was because it was indoors! Maybe it was because we had middle of the row seats and would have had to (wait we did) bothered about a dozen people either side of us to go to get up and go to the bathroom. And then hope you didn't have to go to bad cause of the line. Granted, fans dress up in their favorite team's garb. I probably was the only person there that did not wear Vikings purple or Bengals orange and was probably the only one of 64,000 plus that were there that was waring a Huskers coat. It was cold outside and that coat is my outside coat, so I wore it. I don't know what our tickets cost but I venture it was at least over 60 bucks per ticket. $7 for an adult beverage. Again, you only had one because of the line in the men's room. $5.50 for a brat that was very good and the little cup of sourkraut was on the house. Dome Dogs were $5. I guess I am a home body. For the price of 4 tickets last weekend, I can get NFL Sunday ticket in my living room for an entire season, and chair that was built for mature full bodied derrier's like mine self. I want a beverage, I get up, go to the fridge, get it and don't miss a play. Bathroom? Got two to choose from with no lines. If the game is boring, I can go to San Diego or Indianapolis or New York and find a game that isn't boring. And when the game is over, I'm home, no train ride although I like riding trains, and then finding your vehicle and then 6 1/2 hour drive. Actually it was only 3 1/2 cause we went back to Sioux Falls and then stayed over cause we wanted too and we could. Now if I were in the press box and had a real reason to be at the game, it might be a different story. But then If I am in the press box, I'm not paying to be there. Call me wierd, call me foolish. Call me wierd and foolish. Don't Care. I'm me, not you. I know what your saying. That guy's poor wife! She'd agree.

Rod's Monday Thoughts

Minnesota Vikings fans, do not get to upbeat. Despite beating Cincinatti yesterday, the Vikings are not an elite team. I was there. I saw a very average quarterback in Brett Favre. And even less than average Carson Palmer. Cedric Benson was a better running back than Adrian Peterson and Scott Longwell is worth his salary even though he is a kicker. Very uninteresting game. I heard two Vikings fans say after the game that New Orleans has played a weak schedule. This from fans of a team that have played 3 teams with winning records and plays in one of the most laughable divisions in Pro Football. And a team that has Carolina (5-8). Chicago 5-8 and the New York Giants on their schedule yet. And New Orleans has a weak schedule! At least it was nice winters day to ride the light rail, park at the Mall of America and get out of town in about an hour after the game. And Vikings fans, had the Bears the Packers the Vikes would have secured the division. But thanks to Jay Cutler, they didn't. That darn Cutler. Vikings fans, share the pain with us Bears folks.

Don't give up on the Govs and Lady Govs. They will have to shoot well, which the Govs didn't on Friday and the Lady Govs didn't on Saturday and they will have to play with a margin of error less than normal. Friday night's games will be interesting. Watertown boys plays alot of juniors and Watertown's girls do have Marcelina Glab in the middle, 6'2. And going inside is what Brandon Valley did well in the second half Saturday night to pull away. Saturday, the Sioux Falls Lincoln girls will be difficult. The boys, much the same boat as the Pierre guys. Nobody returning from last year's State Championship team. I think the surprise of the weekend were both Rapid City Stevens and Central in both boys and girls. Central boys knock off the preseason number 1 and 2 teams in O'Gorman and Roosevelt. Stevens beats OG and loses close to Rosey. Stevens girls go 1-1 with the loss close. We get them on the Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon of the Christmas week. Boys in Pierre and girls in Rapid City. And congrats to Stanley County's girls and boys, both winners in their openers over the weekend. Trust me, it will be a big basketball win in Pierre-Ft. Pierre this winter.

Rod's Thursday Thoughts

Call me old school but Chad Ochosinko and Jarred Allen and the NFL cronies who like to shoot off their mouth and do excessive celebrating after they make a tackle could not have played in the glory days of the NFL. Both of them would have had their clocks cleaned by teammates for not acting professional. Ochosinko, and Terrell Owens and Allen and a whole bunch of them should get suspended without pay for more than a game instead of getting fined. Money means nothing to these blowhards. Ochosinko is going to wrestle away the horn from the Viking mascot and blow it Sunday if he scores. If that happens, I hope the Viking mascot takes the horn and whacks him upside the side of the helmet. It wouldn't hurt. My yongest son is a diehard Bengals fan. That's why, he and me and his brother and mother will all be in attendance on Sunday at the game. I will gladly root against the Vikings since Cincy on Sunday will be my second favorite team. They are the ones playing the Vikings. If Ochosinko catches 3 TD passes, great!!! But don't expect for me to stand up and cheer Ochosinko, who can't even decide what he wants his last name to be, if he pulls off the horn blowing thing. My kid knows I'm old fashioned and old school and thinks I am nuts. He also knows, I know he knows that and I don't care what he thinks of me in matters like this. This is why college football has it over on the NFL. They don't let shananigans like Ochocinko pull on a game by game basis become more than the game. And can Ndomekong Suh win the Heisman? He should but if early ballots that have been made public for whatever reason are an indication, looks like he will finish second. Still ahead of the quarterbacks. If he does win, no one would be more deserving. Note to Chad O" Suh doesn't tute his own horn. And yes, I know I spelled Chad Johnson's last name wrong!

Now, back to true sports. Governor and Lady Governor basketball teams are getting ready. Both are in tough districts this year. Huron is the pick to win the ESD in boys basketball this year. Aberdeen Central and Mitchell are pretty much numbers 2 and 3, mostly because of senior presence. Pierre has 3 seniors and probably 2 that will see significant playing time. But the Go Go Govs should be fun to watch, especially if they can hit the pull up 3 pointers. And Josh Monroy is 7 feet 1 3/4 inches tall by the way. That's in his stocking feet. The Lady Govs are not the favorite in the ESD or the district this year. Aberdeen Central has that distinction and Huron and Mitchell are going to be improved. But watching the intra squad scrimmage on Saturday if that is any indication, don't count the Lady's out. A good early test comes on Saturday at Brandon Valley. I will be calling that game because of my next day experiences in the Metrodome as described above. Then they go to Watertown next Friday and have S.F. Lincoln a week from Saturday. By Christmas, we'll have a pretty good idea of just how good or down the Lady Govs will be. I am thinking "good" at this stage instead of "down".

The Tyler Wilcox Memorial Squirt Hockey tournament is this weekend in Ft. Pierre. And I have been advised that the Capitals and Lady Capitals hockey teams (via request from the Oahe Hockey Association Board) would like to be referred to as Pierre-Ft. Pierre or Oahe Capitals since there are kids from both Pierre and Ft. Pierre that play on the team. So Pierre-Ft. Pierre it will be as long as I remember to do that.

Brian's Wednesday Whining

Another college football bowl season, and another reason for BCS opponents like me to fire away. Okay, so it's Alabama against Texas for the National Championship. I don't have any problems with that - I think we've got the most legitimate match-up possible for the Championship game. But once again, we've got other teams who have a legitimate beef, as they get denied a chance at a title -- probably a once-in-a-lifetime chance.

So we've got the National Title game on tap, but then what else? Poor, poor Tim Tebow and Florida -- well, they get unbeaten Cincinnati in the Sugar Bowl, and I think this will probably be a great game, although Florida might take their frustrations out on Cincy a little. But then you have the game that I hope everyone watches -- the Fiesta Bowl, which will have unbeaten Boise St. against unbeaten TCU. Boise beat TCU, 17-16, in last year's Poinsettia Bowl (which I'm not sure I've ever even heard of, since there are so many these days), and both teams are better this year, so this one should not disappoint. It's good that this game will be the only bowl game of the day when it is played on Jan. 4, because these two teams will be able to showcase what they have and why they probably should have as much of a shot as anyone to win the BCS Championship. Okay, so they're in a BCS Bowl Game, but have they really been given a chance to win the title?

Here's what frosts me about this. In the minds of the BCS Committee that selects which teams will play in each BCS Bowl Game, what in the world is this game going to prove? Who's the "best of the rest"? Is anyone in the country really interested in who the better of these two teams is? I don't know, maybe I'm in the minority here, but I don't want to know who the better of these two teams is. What I want to know is, can TCU compete with a team like Florida? That's the match-up I would much rather see, and if the Horned Frogs would happen to knock off the mighty Gators, then to me that would go a long way in proving that the BCS computer rankings don't mean squat! Boise St. beat Oklahoma a few years back, but I guess that wasn't proof enough. Boise and Cincinnati would also make for a great game.

Long story short, the BCS is still a joke, but there are some great games to look forward to, like Iowa-Georgia Tech in the Orange Bowl, Ohio St.-Oregon in the Rose Bowl, and as usual, that Holiday Bowl should be pretty good, too, with Nebraska against Arizona. But before I end this, I need to gripe about two other things. 1) Remember when the college football season ended on January 1, no ifs, ands, buts, or lucrative TV deals? And 2) it might have a regional flavor, with Minnesota and Iowa St. playing, but is the Insight Bowl really worth watching at all? Two teams both 6-6, both 3-5 within their own conferences. You know, six wins might make you "bowl-eligible," but if you have a chance to end your season with a losing record (one of these teams will be 6-7), do you really deserve to play in a bowl game at all? NO!!! For crying out loud, there are 33 bowl games that'll be played this year, and only about 5 or 6 that I probably won't have something better to do while they're being played. Give me something I can get excited for! Please give me a college football playoff system!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Merry Christmas!
- Radiooo

Rod's Monday Thoughts

If you have a chance to go the movie "The Blind Side" Do it. Great Story. True Story. Sandra Bullock's portrayal of the mom will give those of you husbands who have a go get em wife who ask's and then goes ahead, a new appreciation of your marriage. As far as Brian's Friday post on Amanda Stout not making the state volleyball team is simple. It is a numbers game and to make all state it is really important you make the state tournament and then play well. Pierre didn't make the state tournament. AA only has so many spots on their two teams and there is no honorable mention team. Anybody who watched Amanda play these past 3 years knows what she can do on the volleyball court and more imporantly for Amanda, so did the SDSU coach. The Vikings just plain got outplayed last night by Arizona and it may have opened a few weaknesses they have. And Arizona is only the third team that the Vikings played this year that had a winning record at the time they played them. It is a good thing they have the Bengals in Minnesota. They don't beat them on Sunday if it is in Cincy. They have a better chance under the dome but they also have a chance to lose. To be quite honest, I would not be surprised if the Vikings go O for December. And I knew Nebraska was probably not going to win the Big 12 title game on Saturday when Niles Paul could not return the punt for a touchdown. Instead a field goal and the rest is history and Texas wins. Nebraska's offense was absolutely awful. You can't punch out one extra first down, or score a touchdown on first and goal when all of the momentum is going your way. Not when you play for the field goal which they did. Still, Nebraska's Defense was far superior to the vaunted Texas defense because Nebraska absolutly shut down one of the best offense's in the country and Colt McCoy kissed his Heisman Trophy hopes goodbye. The Texas defense meanwhile, shut down an offense that quite arguably, this year's Pierre Governors probably could have done well against. Ndomekong Suh should win the Heisman Trophy. He won't because it is an Offensive Players, usually quarterback, award. And it should be labled that as the best "offensive player in college football award" and not "the best player" award. It should be the only post season award he won't win and he most undoubtedly will be the very first pick in the NFL draft in April. He will most likely make a larger salary than any of the quarterbacks and running backs that will win the Heisman. Talk about how Amanda Stout got gypped. Suh is really getting gypped. (I don't know how to spell gypped. Gyped. Jipped. Whatever.)

Andy Shoe's Scuttlebutts

Here we go and just like that basketball season is running and gunning. I would like to direct my thoughts to Holiday tournaments this week. I know that teams love to go and play teams outside their conference and region during the holiday season. I loved playing in a tournament setting before the season really got rolling and I think teams today love to play in the big venues also. I would love to have input on a long running holiday set of games that take place every year in Mobridge. It is called the Rotary Classic and as of late it has been anything but classic. i know that teams that used to play in the classic now play in one of a dozen or more holiday forums around the state and it is hard to schedule teams around to come to Mobridge and play here. I have suggested a North, south match-up between teams in North Dakota and South Dakota close to Mobridge. It would be a nightmare for those athletic directors to schedule but if it is scheduled enough in the future it might work. Here is my thinking, start at noon with a match up of Strausburg/ Zeeland and Eureka Bowdle then at two o'clock schedule Ashley and Herreid, at four o'clock have Selby Area play Wishick and then at eight o'clock Linton and Mobridge would play. The first day would be dedicated to girls and the second day to the boys. You could have different teams play in different combinations and it could be a very competitive set of games. It would be a very hard set of games to schedule but I think it would bring a lot of basketball fans that don't usually get to see each other together. It is worth considering and if someone out there has a better solution to this dilemma of the Annual Mobridge Rotary Classic then i would love to hear it.

Brian's Friday Fire-up

So let me get this straight....a girl can be voted to the All State Volleyball Team as a junior on a team that played for a State Championship, but as a senior on a team that missed the State Tournament, she can't even get a spot on even the SECOND team All State? Would somebody please tell me who in Class AA works harder, hustles more, and for what it's worth, has more fun, on a volleyball court than Amanda Stout? Okay, maybe the stats weren't there for her this year like they were last year, and I don't have them in front of me right now, but how many unforced mistakes did she make this year? I can't imagine there were that many. No disrespect to the girls who all made the teams, but it's just odd that a student-athlete, male or female, regardless of sport, can be an All State player as a junior, play healthy for an entire senior year, and not get the same attention at the end of their senior year, whether their team achieved success or not. Does that mean that the player shouldn't get the votes they probably deserve?

Now, as I look at the list of players on the First and Second AA All-State teams, I'll admit, I can't really argue with any of the selections - they are all deserving of the honor. I guess it just helps a lot to be on a State Tournament team. Oh wait, I guess I don't recall Sioux Falls O'Gorman making the team, or even Brookings for that matter. Okay, okay, I know I'm whining a bit, so I'll quit now. I guess the point is that Amanda Stout got looked over, probably for 3 reasons: 1) her team wasn't as successful as others; 2) the hitters get all the attention; and 3) she's only 5'3" - everyone looks over the short ones. :o)

With that said, though, let's offer congratulations to all of our area volleyballers who made All State lists:
Caitlin Whiting - White River - Class B First Team
Marisa Mann - Philip - Class B 1st
Holly Hamlin - Highmore-Harrold - Class B 2nd
Marisa Blackwell - Miller - Class A 2nd team
Sarah Dady - Mobridge - Class A 2nd
Erin Rabenberg - Mobridge - Class A HM
Kelly Swenson - Chamberlain - Class A HM (whattayaknow - a setter getting props!)

For me personally, having seen all of these players play quite a bit this season, with the exception of Mann, who I saw play so well for a State Champion last year, I can say that the voters do actually know what they're talking about -- great job, all of you!! I just think they missed a gem in Amanda Stout. One final note, congrats also to Katie Gordon of Brookings, daughter of Pierre natives, Allen and Karen Gordon, who was named to the AA Second Team. She's good, too. :o)