Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Rod's Wednesday Take N Things
Pierre junior center Sam Willard of the Pacific basketball team began day 1 of the off season today after last night's loss to Missouri State in the CTI post season basketball tournament. The CTI tournament just finished it's second year. It is a tournament Mid Major teams that were not invited to the NCAA or NIT tournament. And it shared the post season basketball stage with a 4th post season tournament called the CBI or College Basketball Invitational. I have to say, with 4 post season tournaments a team had to be a pretty bad team to not make the field of a tournament. So while not one of the premier tournament's the face that Sam still played in a national tournament and played for that national tournament's championship is still pretty good for a Pierre kid playing at the Division 1 level of college basketball. I think last night's game showed however that the Missouri Valley Conference is probably still considered the premier Mid Major conference in the country. Pacific is in the Big West Conference which would probably have to be more closer to the level of the Summit League. Maybe just slightly above the Summit. It was a good brand of basketball from the games I got to watch during the season and Sam is one of the top players in that conference which says alot of great things for young Mr. Willard. He will have one more chance to appear in the big dance and that will be next year. But I think it is widely evident in the Big West Conference that if a team is going to make the NCAA, they will have to win their conference post season tournament. There won't be any at-large berths.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Andy Shoe's Scuttlebutts
The end of basketball season is sometimes a good thing as it gives those teams that had a tough season the opportunity to hope for a better next season. It also gives those teams that had a successful season a chance to reflect back on what was. For me it is time to start thinking about Twins Baseball. I am a fan of the game of baseball and I guess I have been for as long as I can remember. I loved to play the game and I still love to watch it played at almost every level. What's not to love? From T-Ball where the kids are there for the love of playing anything with their little friends to Major League Baseball where the game is a business but every once in a while you will see a childish love for playing the game and at that point you remember why it is so much fun to cheer on the guys who play. I am looking forward to the up-coming season of teener and legion baseball in the area. I hope that young athletes are ready for what could be the memory made that might last a life time. I know that the small rural towns are having trouble arranging a schedule because so many kids choose not to play baseball in the summer. I would hope that for the sake of your town, your friends, and the game you would at least try to come out for baseball. It will be a decision you won't regret. The game that at one time was the most popular is now the least popular and I don't understand it. In basketball only five players can be on the court at one time, on a baseball field you can stand on the field with eight other teammates so your chances of playing are better. In basketball the game is controlled by a clock in baseball no clock and a winner is decided at the end of regulation innings. So you get to play longer in many cases. I have nothing against basketball, it is a great sport, but I would like to see the kind of enthusiasm portrayed on the court, portrayed on the diamond. I hope to see all of you fans at the games and all of you student athletes this summer throwing and catching, hitting and running the base paths. You will have so much fun you will soon grow to love the game as I do.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Brian's Tuesday Town Hall
You may recall the promise that was made after I predicted (or had a sneaking suspicion) that Highmore-Harrold wouldn't fare too well at the State B Girls Basketball Tournament. Of course, the Lady Pirates took third place honors and quite possibly played better overall than any other team in that tournament. On Monday, the trip was made, and the debt was paid. Everyone seemed to have a great sense of humor, and the kool thing is, all the girls can call each other and wear the same things to school now. :o) But the moral of the story that shouldn't go unnoticed, is that whenever someone tells you that you can't or won't be able to do something, just put your mind to it and go out there and do it.
Unfortunately, maybe the Xavier women's team didn't get that message. While channel surfing, I caught the very end of their game with Stanford. True to March Madness form, the game was tied in the final seconds when, bless her heart, Xavier's #4 reminded Ron White fans of his description of the California Highway Patrol. She missed not one, but TWO gimme shots from POINT....BLANK....RANGE! Stanford gets a timeout, gets a few tenths of a second added to the clock after a video review, and gets a game-winning lay-up as time expires to go back to the Final Four. Have you ever noticed how things are so doggone easy, they become the hardest things in the world to do? Xavier #4 - meet Bill Buckner. :o(
And by the way, if your mens NCAA bracket is still in good shape to win your office pool, then you might be considered a basketball genius - not to mention, Rod would rather see you on ESPN than the yahoos that have been trying to tell us all what's what for the past three weeks. My first two rounds were great, but all these high seeds dropping out have left me wishing for a do-over. But here's my saving grace. I also hold an office drawing, in which 16 people draw 4 teams each - one team in each of four seeding ranges: 13-16, 9-12, 5-8, and 1-4. Some people get shafted in their draws, like if they draw Georgetown or Vanderbilt as their best team, and they end up losing to much lower seeds in the first round. Some people get lucky and get tournament wins out of those Cinderella teams. Some people stink at picking Elite Eight and Final Four teams, but they are lucky enough to draw both Duke and Butler in their office drawing pool. Cha-ching! Keep it going, Devils & Dawgs!!
Unfortunately, maybe the Xavier women's team didn't get that message. While channel surfing, I caught the very end of their game with Stanford. True to March Madness form, the game was tied in the final seconds when, bless her heart, Xavier's #4 reminded Ron White fans of his description of the California Highway Patrol. She missed not one, but TWO gimme shots from POINT....BLANK....RANGE! Stanford gets a timeout, gets a few tenths of a second added to the clock after a video review, and gets a game-winning lay-up as time expires to go back to the Final Four. Have you ever noticed how things are so doggone easy, they become the hardest things in the world to do? Xavier #4 - meet Bill Buckner. :o(
And by the way, if your mens NCAA bracket is still in good shape to win your office pool, then you might be considered a basketball genius - not to mention, Rod would rather see you on ESPN than the yahoos that have been trying to tell us all what's what for the past three weeks. My first two rounds were great, but all these high seeds dropping out have left me wishing for a do-over. But here's my saving grace. I also hold an office drawing, in which 16 people draw 4 teams each - one team in each of four seeding ranges: 13-16, 9-12, 5-8, and 1-4. Some people get shafted in their draws, like if they draw Georgetown or Vanderbilt as their best team, and they end up losing to much lower seeds in the first round. Some people get lucky and get tournament wins out of those Cinderella teams. Some people stink at picking Elite Eight and Final Four teams, but they are lucky enough to draw both Duke and Butler in their office drawing pool. Cha-ching! Keep it going, Devils & Dawgs!!
Rod's Monday Take N Things
A sure sign of spring. Golf courses opening for the season. The Dunes in Ft. Pierre officially opens this afternoon at 3 p.m. for the season. As (if) we hear from the other courses in the area, like Hillsview, Spring Creek and the like, we will let you know. Now, I did not need Dick Vitale tell me that the only reason I am against Duke in the NCAA men's basketball tournament is a word that starts with the J and ends with a Y. I am not jealous of Duke winning all the time. I just prefer to see them not win. I thought I would kinda rate how I thought the weekend's games were and give them a label.
Most Sloppily Played: Duke vs. Baylor.
Most Spellbinding (if you left you missed something) Butler vs. Kansas State.
Most Well Played: Michigan St. vs. Tennessee.
Toughest to Watch but still Watched: West Virginia vs. Kentucky.
Team I felt sorry for because the lost: (tie) Baylor and Tennessee
Team I did not feel sorry for because they lost: Kentucky
Best Officiated Game: Michigan St. vs. Tennessee
Worst Officiated Game: Butler vs. Kansas State
Best Announcing Team on the Weekend: Vern Lindquist and Bill Raferty (Baylor-Tenn.)
Worst Announcing Team on the Weekend: Gus Johnson and Len Elmore (Butler-K State)
Most Boring Game of the Weekend: UConn vs. Iowa State Womens NCAA Regional Semifinal
Most Eye Opening Team: Kentucky Women vs. Nebraska NCAA Women's Regional Semifinal
Most Dissapointing High Seeded Team: Nebraska Women
I have also come to the conclusion once again that in today's men's and women's college basktball, the officials just can not keep up with the game. I realize you can't call everything but I just sit at home and shake my head at what they come up with at times for calls and why they don't call stuff. It is obvious to me that the advancement of the player and the game has outlived the rule book. They should have certain rules for the first part of the game, another set for the middle and a whole other set of rules for the final 6 to 8 minutes cause what is described as a foul in the rule book is called differently about 3 to 4 times in a game. And if you are aged 60 or older, get off the court. You can't keep up with a bunch of 20 year olds.
Most Sloppily Played: Duke vs. Baylor.
Most Spellbinding (if you left you missed something) Butler vs. Kansas State.
Most Well Played: Michigan St. vs. Tennessee.
Toughest to Watch but still Watched: West Virginia vs. Kentucky.
Team I felt sorry for because the lost: (tie) Baylor and Tennessee
Team I did not feel sorry for because they lost: Kentucky
Best Officiated Game: Michigan St. vs. Tennessee
Worst Officiated Game: Butler vs. Kansas State
Best Announcing Team on the Weekend: Vern Lindquist and Bill Raferty (Baylor-Tenn.)
Worst Announcing Team on the Weekend: Gus Johnson and Len Elmore (Butler-K State)
Most Boring Game of the Weekend: UConn vs. Iowa State Womens NCAA Regional Semifinal
Most Eye Opening Team: Kentucky Women vs. Nebraska NCAA Women's Regional Semifinal
Most Dissapointing High Seeded Team: Nebraska Women
I have also come to the conclusion once again that in today's men's and women's college basktball, the officials just can not keep up with the game. I realize you can't call everything but I just sit at home and shake my head at what they come up with at times for calls and why they don't call stuff. It is obvious to me that the advancement of the player and the game has outlived the rule book. They should have certain rules for the first part of the game, another set for the middle and a whole other set of rules for the final 6 to 8 minutes cause what is described as a foul in the rule book is called differently about 3 to 4 times in a game. And if you are aged 60 or older, get off the court. You can't keep up with a bunch of 20 year olds.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Rod's Sunday Take N Things
I will have the complete results of the Pierre Governors and Lady Governors first track and field meet of the season tomorrow on our sports reports and in our My Daily News but there were several very good first time out, outings. More on the boys side than the girls side at the Al Sahli Indoor meet in Aberdeen. Connor Berg won the high jump at 6’1”. Tyler Propst won the 3,000 meter run in a time of 10:02.7. Parker McKittrick clocked :7.8 to win the 55 meter hurdles. And Aaron Propst, Sean Snyder, Kris Monroe and Steven Cordon teamed to win the 4x800 meter relay in a time of 8:53.1. On the girls side, Gena Burley won the high jump at 4'10" beating out 2 other girls including teammate Anna Bondy who also cleared that mark. The Govs were second to Watertown and the girls were 3rd to Aberdeen and Watertown in the team standings.
After watching yesterday's basketball, Butler has a chance. Especially after all the ESPN experts (Definition: Ex is a has been. Spert is a drip under pressure) have all but given the NCAA title to Duke now that Kansas State and Kentucky are out. I gotta quit watching ESPN. Or at least when the basketball bozo's are on. And of course we are just going through the motions til we have the UConn Women's Basketball imortalized. I have news for some. John Wooden could coach men and women. Geno A. would probably not get out of the locker room in one piece coaching the guys. And now that they don't have that Geno vs. Pat Summit possible matchup anymore I am sure the producers are scrambling to come up with a story line. I will say the new Coke Zero commercials on cloning is funny as is the Bud Light House made out of Bud Light cans.
After watching yesterday's basketball, Butler has a chance. Especially after all the ESPN experts (Definition: Ex is a has been. Spert is a drip under pressure) have all but given the NCAA title to Duke now that Kansas State and Kentucky are out. I gotta quit watching ESPN. Or at least when the basketball bozo's are on. And of course we are just going through the motions til we have the UConn Women's Basketball imortalized. I have news for some. John Wooden could coach men and women. Geno A. would probably not get out of the locker room in one piece coaching the guys. And now that they don't have that Geno vs. Pat Summit possible matchup anymore I am sure the producers are scrambling to come up with a story line. I will say the new Coke Zero commercials on cloning is funny as is the Bud Light House made out of Bud Light cans.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Rod's Saturday Take N Things
I just finished watching Baylor's upset of Tennessee in the women's NCAA basketball tournament and I have a thought. Do all good women's basketball coaches have a southern drawl when they speak? Kim Mulkey of Baylor. Pat Summit of Tennessee just to name a couple. Sherry Coale at Oklahoma is another one. Which leads me to this question? Why is Geno Auriema at UConn the most hated women's basketball coach in the nation? It can't be just because UConn is good year after year after year. I don't think he has alot of respect from some of his fellow coaches. Maybe that comes from beating them by 30 and 40 points every year. The men don't seem to have that one single coach you love to hate probably since Bob Knight retired. And now I think alot of people like him on TV. Face it, he is no phoney. What you see is what you get. My personal least favorite coach is Mike K (I could spell his last name but don't want to take the time to look it up) at Duke. Alot of people like him. I think he has alot of phoney aspects to him which is why I won't be spending $7 to run out to Rapid City and listen to him speak on April 29th. You've heard one motivational talk, you have heard them all. I don't have any real particular like or dislike for any other coach. I like Saul Philips at NDSU in a couple of times I have talked to him. Scott Nagy at SDSU, can be a hard guy to get to know. Aaron Johnston is kinda the same, but always makes himself available. Jim Boehiem at Syracuse, Tom Izzo at Michigan St., Jim Calhoun at UConn. I usually root against Syracuse the UConn because they are in the BIG EAST. I think one of the more overrated conference in the country based on what has happened in the NCAA tournament. Michigan St.? Depends on who they play. I pulled for Northern Iowa last night. I'll probably hope MSU wins tomorrow. Today I will pull for Butler and West Virginia. Butler cause they are the little guy left. West Virginia, cause they are playing Kentucky. John Calipari does not run a clean program and is a win at all cost and then get out kinda guy. Ask anyone involved with Memphis.
And play by play and announcing teams. I Don't mind Jim Nance. Clark Kellogg, I mind. Vern Lindquist, very good. Bill Raferty, Shut Up once in awhile and quit trying to be so cute. Dick Vitale is too rah rah of a guy. Jay Bilas knows more than we do, just ask him. He is a Coach K guy. Carolyn Peck is like that on the women's tournament. Just cause your a coach doesn't give you the right to be critical of what a certain coach is doing as far as x's and o's in the game. Kevin Harlan is good. Excitable when need be. Descriptive. My favorite was when he was the radio play by play guy for the Timberwolves. Tom Gugliotta is driving for a layup and just gets hammered. Harlan's description....." Gugliotta takes it to the basket without regard to life, liberty and the pursuit of his personal happiness." Might have had something to do with the part of the body where he got clobbered on the drive. And Gus Johnson needs to take a sedative before he begins a broadcast. Way to hyper. But that's me. I have favorite football and baseball and hockey announcers. I have tried to pattern my style after the late Lyle Bremser the legendary Cornhusker play by play guy for some 40 years or so. HiS decription of long exciting touchdown runs of "Man Woman and Child he's gone Touchdown" still bring goosebumps to me when I hear old tapes of Husker games. I have to say Harry Carray was a favorite for baseball. Sure he was partly if not mostly annebriated when he did games, but no body cared. He was a fan, you knew who he was working for and wanted to win. He probably would not have been a good national announcer like a say, Ray Scott or Curt Gowdy. No, I don't like the Cubs TV announcing team. Bob Brenley needs to think out what he is going to say before he says it sometimes. And Bert Blyleven with the Twins, I think he takes the same road to the ball park that Harry did. See you at Huberts before the game Bert. I might be wrong on that though. Vin Scully of the Dodgers is still velvet smooth and one of my all time favorites. I end this with the question, who are your favorite and not so favorite announcers, coaches, analist and the so forth? If you are not a normal responder to any of our post, here would be a nice way to get started and make some online friends or foes, depending on your mood. Have a good Saturday and again go Butler and WVU.
And play by play and announcing teams. I Don't mind Jim Nance. Clark Kellogg, I mind. Vern Lindquist, very good. Bill Raferty, Shut Up once in awhile and quit trying to be so cute. Dick Vitale is too rah rah of a guy. Jay Bilas knows more than we do, just ask him. He is a Coach K guy. Carolyn Peck is like that on the women's tournament. Just cause your a coach doesn't give you the right to be critical of what a certain coach is doing as far as x's and o's in the game. Kevin Harlan is good. Excitable when need be. Descriptive. My favorite was when he was the radio play by play guy for the Timberwolves. Tom Gugliotta is driving for a layup and just gets hammered. Harlan's description....." Gugliotta takes it to the basket without regard to life, liberty and the pursuit of his personal happiness." Might have had something to do with the part of the body where he got clobbered on the drive. And Gus Johnson needs to take a sedative before he begins a broadcast. Way to hyper. But that's me. I have favorite football and baseball and hockey announcers. I have tried to pattern my style after the late Lyle Bremser the legendary Cornhusker play by play guy for some 40 years or so. HiS decription of long exciting touchdown runs of "Man Woman and Child he's gone Touchdown" still bring goosebumps to me when I hear old tapes of Husker games. I have to say Harry Carray was a favorite for baseball. Sure he was partly if not mostly annebriated when he did games, but no body cared. He was a fan, you knew who he was working for and wanted to win. He probably would not have been a good national announcer like a say, Ray Scott or Curt Gowdy. No, I don't like the Cubs TV announcing team. Bob Brenley needs to think out what he is going to say before he says it sometimes. And Bert Blyleven with the Twins, I think he takes the same road to the ball park that Harry did. See you at Huberts before the game Bert. I might be wrong on that though. Vin Scully of the Dodgers is still velvet smooth and one of my all time favorites. I end this with the question, who are your favorite and not so favorite announcers, coaches, analist and the so forth? If you are not a normal responder to any of our post, here would be a nice way to get started and make some online friends or foes, depending on your mood. Have a good Saturday and again go Butler and WVU.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Rod's Friday Take N Things
Way to go Sammy!!!!! Another huge game from the Pierre former All Stater last night. 22 points and 10 rebounds as Pacific beat Appalachian St. 64-56 in the College Insider Dot Com post season basketball tournament. Yea, the CIT is probably 3rd in the line of post season tournaments behind the NCAA and the NIT but it might be better than the CBI (College Basketball Inviational) or at least even with it. But how many times to you get to play in a championship game of the national tournament. And the tourny organizers haven't made it easy on Sam and his teammates. All 3 of their previous games have been road games. They don't have the big money to play at neutral sites so they play at campus sites and usually the ones where they know they will get a good gate. So Sam and the Tigers have been on the road at Loyola Marymount in L.A. At Northern Colorado and last night at Boone, North Carolina. And Tuesday for the championship, at Springfield, Missouri and Missouri State who by the way is in the same football conference as South Dakota State. I think it is a big deal for Pierre and Riggs High basketball.
Speaking of the NCAA tournament, everybody likes the underdog. What if Butler plays Northern Iowa for the national championship? It would be an entertaining game. It won't happen of course but it would be fun if it did. Duke is the darling of college basketball and they were certainly given a huge gift by the NCAA tournament committee. 1 seed in the South, the weakest region of the 4. I would love to see a Northern Iowa and Duke national semi final game. Go UNI. Ah what the heck, Go Purdue tonight against Duke. No body gave Purdue a chance to win a game in the tournament when they top scorer went down with an injury. I am not a Big 10 fan of anything but when they play Duke, in basketball, Go Big 10. Now if it were football I would say, go Duke. And what is the deal with these late starts. Major League Baseball got run over the coals for their late start times to the world series and playoff games and young children could not stay up late to watch. So we have NCAA games starting after 10 p.m. Eastern Time? Last night's Cornell and Kentucky game was a 10:07 p.m. eastern time start. As for that, why did the east region games in Syracuse, New York start after the West Region games in Salt Lake City? Does CBS not care that young children who have to go to school the next day can't wait up til 10 p.m. eastern time for the start of their favorite team, be it Kentucky, Cornell or whoever? Or is it more important for kids to get to bed early in the fall than it is in the spring?
Speaking of the NCAA tournament, everybody likes the underdog. What if Butler plays Northern Iowa for the national championship? It would be an entertaining game. It won't happen of course but it would be fun if it did. Duke is the darling of college basketball and they were certainly given a huge gift by the NCAA tournament committee. 1 seed in the South, the weakest region of the 4. I would love to see a Northern Iowa and Duke national semi final game. Go UNI. Ah what the heck, Go Purdue tonight against Duke. No body gave Purdue a chance to win a game in the tournament when they top scorer went down with an injury. I am not a Big 10 fan of anything but when they play Duke, in basketball, Go Big 10. Now if it were football I would say, go Duke. And what is the deal with these late starts. Major League Baseball got run over the coals for their late start times to the world series and playoff games and young children could not stay up late to watch. So we have NCAA games starting after 10 p.m. Eastern Time? Last night's Cornell and Kentucky game was a 10:07 p.m. eastern time start. As for that, why did the east region games in Syracuse, New York start after the West Region games in Salt Lake City? Does CBS not care that young children who have to go to school the next day can't wait up til 10 p.m. eastern time for the start of their favorite team, be it Kentucky, Cornell or whoever? Or is it more important for kids to get to bed early in the fall than it is in the spring?
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Rod's Wednesday Take N Things
I am glad to see my esteemed colleagues picking up the blogging slack. It was getting lonely at the top> It is a good and healthy debate about Joe Mauer and his importance and how long will he be a Twin. My esteemed collegue Mr. Boyle and I have alot in common you know. One, we are both farmers. He is one, I own 1/2 of our family farm in Nebraska. I tried to teach Mr. B all I know in his early days back in the 90's of play by play and he continues to come along so there is still hope. That is a "Bazinga" Darrin or if you don't follow the tv program "The Big Bang Theory" and Dr. Sheldon Cooper it means, Just Kidding or gotcha! One of them. But he brings up very good points. I think Target Field will mean some big things. I only hope that I am not among the first rainouts of the season next month when I go watch the Twins and Red Sox in their 2nd and third games of the season that count. Although if that happens, I can then give you an idea of how the rain check process would work. My wife bought me a George Steinbrenner Field T-Shirt last week when she was in Florida. I am toying with the idea of wearing it. Especially since several of the folks in the block of tickets we will be in are Red Sox fans.
Now let me switch to the subject of the Minnesota team on the other side of downtown. The Vikings. They are changing the overtime rule about teams that score field goals, the other team will get a possesion. This is only in the playoffs at this point. The Vikings, who may have benefited from this rule in the NFC championship game two months ago in New Orleans. The vote was 28-4 to change the rule. The Vikings were one of the 4 that voted against it! Not sure what to think about that. Hey the Vikings never cease to amaze me every year though. From fans that will turn on them in the drop of a hat, to some of the coaching decisions. Now I can add, the Front Office>
Now let me switch to the subject of the Minnesota team on the other side of downtown. The Vikings. They are changing the overtime rule about teams that score field goals, the other team will get a possesion. This is only in the playoffs at this point. The Vikings, who may have benefited from this rule in the NFC championship game two months ago in New Orleans. The vote was 28-4 to change the rule. The Vikings were one of the 4 that voted against it! Not sure what to think about that. Hey the Vikings never cease to amaze me every year though. From fans that will turn on them in the drop of a hat, to some of the coaching decisions. Now I can add, the Front Office>
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Brian's reflections of the basketball season that was....
With the high school basketball season now over, I find myself looking back on the season, and I'm realizing that my feelings about this season are a little different than those that I had at this same time a year ago. For me personally, last season offered a lot of promise going into the postseason on several levels for the teams that I was covering - the Stanley County and Pierre girls, the Sully Buttes boys, etc. This season, with the weather and our tower situation, and districts and regions that were really up in the air, I really just went wherever I was needed and was able to enjoy the ride while it lasted, regardless of the outcome. Congratulations are in order for the White River Tigers on their championship, and I think also for our other area boys and girls teams that made it to their State Tournaments. Even for the Crow Creek boys and the Mobridge girls, who finished in 8th place at State, the tournament fields were very evenly matched overall, and the outcomes would probably have been different each time, had those tournaments been played a few more times over.
At any rate, what I wanted to do with this discussion is provide my most memorable moments from this basketball season from the games that I was able to broadcast, and then I'd like to see and read about all of your favorite moments as well. My list is given simply in the order that they happened.
10. Dec. 12 -- Saturday night of the first weekend of the season, with Rod on his way to a Vikings game the next day, he decides to cover the broadcast of the Lady Govs game at Brandon Valley, while I handled the Governor boys home game with the Lynx. Memorable for me because in my 7 years of DRG play-by-play, this was actually my first Governors game ever. They didn't fare too well that night, but it was nice to at least get to see the boys play for once. :o)
9. Dec. 19 -- Off to a 2-1 start, the Lady Govs hosted SF Lincoln, who was off to a 4-0 start themselves, and already a surprise top-ranked team in AA. Once the Lady Govs gained the lead in the second quarter, they held it for good, and kept control on the "#1" team in the state. Chemistry and a great all-around team effort, that at least for one night, reminded me a lot of the Lady Govs from a year ago.
8. Jan. 8 -- The Lady Govs season takes a dramatic downturn when they lose all 3 starting senior guards for an extended time. Linsey Peterson was already ruled out of the game against Brookings, and would ultimately not play for the rest of the season. Amanda Stout suffers a concussion after a hustling collision with a Brookings player, and Paige Burkett goes down with a high ankle sprain. The Lady Govs won the game, 39-36, but the turning point in what was a tough season was undeniable.
7. Jan. 14 -- After beating quality programs like Sully Buttes and Bennett County, but suffering an overtime loss at Highmore, and a lackluster loss at home to Gettysburg, the Stanley County Lady Buffaloes lost at McLaughlin in a game that to me, epitomized their season in a number of ways. Down by 16 with about 5 minutes to play, the Lady Buffs stage a rousing comeback to pull within 2 (if my memory is correct), only to fall short 65-59. This was one of a handful of games in a struggling season that left Lady Buff fans thinking....geez, they played so well for that period of time - why can't they do that for an entire game? Yes, it was a tough season, but you could never fault the effort of the Lady Buffs!
6. Jan. 29 -- In her second game back from the previously mentioned ankle injury, Paige Burkett turns in one of the most complete performances by any Lady Gov in recent memory (which is saying something). 16 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists and 6 steals, to lead to Lady Govs over Spearfish, 62-31. Proof positive that even at 5'5", there is nothing that a little hard work can't help you achieve.
5. Feb. 2 -- In a game that the Lady Buffs did play well throughout, senior Brandi Prince turned in a career night, pouring down 34 points, but it wasn't quite enough, as Cassie Prue sank a lay-up through traffic at the buzzer to lift Todd County over the Lady Buffs, 58-56. Prince rose up this year to become a consistent double-digit scorer, but to my knowledge, not even Sam Ostarello ever scored 34 in a high school game.
4. Feb. 9 -- After receiving a challenge from a radio announcer with a stash of Player of the Game t-shirts, Jake Miller scores 18 first quarter points, finishing with 27 on the game, as the Buffaloes notch just their third win of the year, holding off a major Gettysburg rally in a 55-53 win. Long seasons for both area teams, but this one turned out to be one of the funnest games of the season.
3. Feb. 13 -- The Lady Govs got an early start for Yankton in order to watch former teammate Alexa Berg play an afternoon game for Mt. Marty. A great effort for the Lady Govs that evening, but the Gazelles rally to win, 46-40. The memorable part of this trip was after the game, though, as the bus leaves for Pierre in horrible weather conditions, only to get as far as Presho before it is decided they'd better pull in for the night. As for me, after staying in Yankton that Saturday evening, and meeting up with my family in Sioux Falls the next day, it's the idiot who tried to pass our line of vehicles, only to hit the skids (literally) and roll his vehicle in between us, prompting us to pull into Mitchell for that Sunday night, that I won't soon forget. Oh well, at least the girls were home in time for King of Hearts. :o)
2. Feb. 18 -- Former Lady Buffalo Jolanna Sazue, now playing back at Crow Creek, asks me before the game if we still gave away t-shirts for the Player of the Game. She apparently knew what was coming, as she scored a whopping 54 points in an 82-68 win over her former team. But figure this - on the 18th of February, Sazue scored 18 points from 3-point range, 18 from 2-point range, and 18 more from the free throw line. By the way, the previous high scorer in any game I had ever covered before that.....Louie Krogman scored 50 in a 2007 State Tournament game.
1. Mar. 20 -- Finally, sticking with Crow Creek, Keenan World Turner drops in five 3-pointers and scores 21 points, including a dazzling athletic save and score, keying a second quarter run that had the Chieftains leading top-seeded Madison at the half in the first round of the State A Boys Tournament. But the defending State A Champions dominated the second half and beat Crow Creek, 60-44, on their way to repeating as State A Champions. The Chieftains finished 8th in the tournament, but certainly had one of their most memorable seasons in the past several years.
So that's a rundown of my "Top 10," so to speak. Let me know what all you saw on the basketball floor this season that you won't soon forget. Peace........
At any rate, what I wanted to do with this discussion is provide my most memorable moments from this basketball season from the games that I was able to broadcast, and then I'd like to see and read about all of your favorite moments as well. My list is given simply in the order that they happened.
10. Dec. 12 -- Saturday night of the first weekend of the season, with Rod on his way to a Vikings game the next day, he decides to cover the broadcast of the Lady Govs game at Brandon Valley, while I handled the Governor boys home game with the Lynx. Memorable for me because in my 7 years of DRG play-by-play, this was actually my first Governors game ever. They didn't fare too well that night, but it was nice to at least get to see the boys play for once. :o)
9. Dec. 19 -- Off to a 2-1 start, the Lady Govs hosted SF Lincoln, who was off to a 4-0 start themselves, and already a surprise top-ranked team in AA. Once the Lady Govs gained the lead in the second quarter, they held it for good, and kept control on the "#1" team in the state. Chemistry and a great all-around team effort, that at least for one night, reminded me a lot of the Lady Govs from a year ago.
8. Jan. 8 -- The Lady Govs season takes a dramatic downturn when they lose all 3 starting senior guards for an extended time. Linsey Peterson was already ruled out of the game against Brookings, and would ultimately not play for the rest of the season. Amanda Stout suffers a concussion after a hustling collision with a Brookings player, and Paige Burkett goes down with a high ankle sprain. The Lady Govs won the game, 39-36, but the turning point in what was a tough season was undeniable.
7. Jan. 14 -- After beating quality programs like Sully Buttes and Bennett County, but suffering an overtime loss at Highmore, and a lackluster loss at home to Gettysburg, the Stanley County Lady Buffaloes lost at McLaughlin in a game that to me, epitomized their season in a number of ways. Down by 16 with about 5 minutes to play, the Lady Buffs stage a rousing comeback to pull within 2 (if my memory is correct), only to fall short 65-59. This was one of a handful of games in a struggling season that left Lady Buff fans thinking....geez, they played so well for that period of time - why can't they do that for an entire game? Yes, it was a tough season, but you could never fault the effort of the Lady Buffs!
6. Jan. 29 -- In her second game back from the previously mentioned ankle injury, Paige Burkett turns in one of the most complete performances by any Lady Gov in recent memory (which is saying something). 16 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists and 6 steals, to lead to Lady Govs over Spearfish, 62-31. Proof positive that even at 5'5", there is nothing that a little hard work can't help you achieve.
5. Feb. 2 -- In a game that the Lady Buffs did play well throughout, senior Brandi Prince turned in a career night, pouring down 34 points, but it wasn't quite enough, as Cassie Prue sank a lay-up through traffic at the buzzer to lift Todd County over the Lady Buffs, 58-56. Prince rose up this year to become a consistent double-digit scorer, but to my knowledge, not even Sam Ostarello ever scored 34 in a high school game.
4. Feb. 9 -- After receiving a challenge from a radio announcer with a stash of Player of the Game t-shirts, Jake Miller scores 18 first quarter points, finishing with 27 on the game, as the Buffaloes notch just their third win of the year, holding off a major Gettysburg rally in a 55-53 win. Long seasons for both area teams, but this one turned out to be one of the funnest games of the season.
3. Feb. 13 -- The Lady Govs got an early start for Yankton in order to watch former teammate Alexa Berg play an afternoon game for Mt. Marty. A great effort for the Lady Govs that evening, but the Gazelles rally to win, 46-40. The memorable part of this trip was after the game, though, as the bus leaves for Pierre in horrible weather conditions, only to get as far as Presho before it is decided they'd better pull in for the night. As for me, after staying in Yankton that Saturday evening, and meeting up with my family in Sioux Falls the next day, it's the idiot who tried to pass our line of vehicles, only to hit the skids (literally) and roll his vehicle in between us, prompting us to pull into Mitchell for that Sunday night, that I won't soon forget. Oh well, at least the girls were home in time for King of Hearts. :o)
2. Feb. 18 -- Former Lady Buffalo Jolanna Sazue, now playing back at Crow Creek, asks me before the game if we still gave away t-shirts for the Player of the Game. She apparently knew what was coming, as she scored a whopping 54 points in an 82-68 win over her former team. But figure this - on the 18th of February, Sazue scored 18 points from 3-point range, 18 from 2-point range, and 18 more from the free throw line. By the way, the previous high scorer in any game I had ever covered before that.....Louie Krogman scored 50 in a 2007 State Tournament game.
1. Mar. 20 -- Finally, sticking with Crow Creek, Keenan World Turner drops in five 3-pointers and scores 21 points, including a dazzling athletic save and score, keying a second quarter run that had the Chieftains leading top-seeded Madison at the half in the first round of the State A Boys Tournament. But the defending State A Champions dominated the second half and beat Crow Creek, 60-44, on their way to repeating as State A Champions. The Chieftains finished 8th in the tournament, but certainly had one of their most memorable seasons in the past several years.
So that's a rundown of my "Top 10," so to speak. Let me know what all you saw on the basketball floor this season that you won't soon forget. Peace........
Darren Boyle's weekly words of wisdom Home from the "B"s
Congratulations to the White River Tigers, the 2010 state B champions. Great job by the Sully Buttes Chargers as well as they brought home the 6th place hardware. We have been spoiled by the quality of basketball in our area over the last several years. Not in just the boys but the girls ranks as well. It takes dedication from everyone. Our area coaches spend much more time than anyone thinks working with the kids, the kids stay in shape and spend the time in the gym working on their game and also parents dedicate their time and money making sure their kids have the best opportunities available. It takes a year round commitment from everyone to keep going to state tournaments year after year. For me, going to a state tournament is still quite a honor. Hope you enjoyed our coverage.
I listened to the webcast of the championship game last night and still didnt sense the turning point in the game. The Tigers trailed by 14 in the third quarter and rallied to get the lead at the end of three, but couldnt get away from Hitchcock-Tulare. Jake Krogman's two freethrows with 15 seconds left sealed the deal but not before we had to witness two missed threes by the Patriots as time expired. It was a great finish. Isnt it cool that our area teams have won the state B championship game the last three years in a row?
I entered one of those final four pools before I left for the "B"s. as I was there Saturday night, I heard that Kansas lost. Since I had picked the Jayhawks to win it all, I think I would have gotten as much enjoyment in just setting my money on fire.
Joe Mauer has finally signed his contract extension with the Twins, My esteemed colleague Mr. Fisher is giddy with excitement. Its almost like he is going to be on Joe's xmas list or something. I think ok, fine, whatever, and at the DRG studios Monday, I make some kind of remark about Mauer and how he wont be a Twin for the entire 8 years of this contract. This draws the ire of our sports director and he brings this up in his Tuesday blog. After reading that I felt that I needed to defend myself and my position. There are two possible scenarios to describe how this is going to play out. First lets all agree that the Twins HAD to sign Mauer before the season started and Target Field opened. If they hadnt, the PR fallout would have been disasterous. And the talk of him leaving would have destroyed ticket sales for 2011. Giving Joe the no trade clause is meaningless at this point. Lets agree on that and move on to.....................
The Major League scenario. Remember Major League, it is one of my favorite sports movies, it begins with a former showgirl inheriting the Cleveland Indians. She hates Cleveland, and wants to move the team somewhere where she can get a new stadium. But, the only way she can get out of her current lease is if attendance falls below a certain level. She knows the team is bad but not bad enough, so she hires a new general manager and has him sign a team full of has beens and never will be's. Hoping they lose enough to drive down attendance. The Twins will have the luxury of the new stadium to help their revenue for the next couple of years, but what happens after that? To sell tickets you must win. Will the Twins continue to sign enough good players to help Mauer? Or, will the Twins eventually tank their roster so Joe will want out. Sound too crazy? Perhaps, but there is another way this could play out. And, its the more likely scenario.....................
But first, doesnt it seem funny to you that ESPN has been on a rampage since Thanksgiving weekend burying Tiger Woods. But now that Tiger has planned his return at this years Masters, and the first two rounds just happen to be televised on ESPN. It is being hailed as the return of the greatest golfer ever? I am not condoning anything Tiger has done. Its just the latest example of how fickle our media has become.
But I digress, there is another way the Twins can play this. The Herschel Walker scenario. There will be time in Mauer's career when his #'s start to decline and the Twins will know it before anyone else. Say the Yankees or the Red Sox offer their farm system for him. Wouldnt the Pohlad's spin it that Mauer is hurting the team by staying?
Maybe he wont want to catch everyday. Maybe he will want to move to first. There are alot of reasons to think that Mauer wont be a Twin for the full eight years of this deal.. One thing I will be watching is how Lebron James' free agency plays out. Does the NBA's best player continue to play for his hometown team the Cleveland Cavaliers, or what other team offers big money? What do the big endorsers like Nike, Gatorade and EA sports offer if he moves to a large market like LA or New York? Whos to say an offer like that doesnt get offered to Mauer? In three years the Twins are in last place, and the Yankees offer to honor his contract and he can he can get $100 million in endorsements if he moves to NYC? Then does he waive his "no trade" clause?
The only thing we know for sure, the Twins had no other choice but to sign him. Joe Mauer is well on his way to being the greatest baseball player since Mickey Mantle. Enjoy him while you can Twins fans. Dont forget it wasnt that long ago the Pohlad family would have contracted the Twins if the league would have allowed it. Or, unless they got their new stadium.
The over under on Mauer in a Twins uniform is 3.3 years. Or so
The Major League
I listened to the webcast of the championship game last night and still didnt sense the turning point in the game. The Tigers trailed by 14 in the third quarter and rallied to get the lead at the end of three, but couldnt get away from Hitchcock-Tulare. Jake Krogman's two freethrows with 15 seconds left sealed the deal but not before we had to witness two missed threes by the Patriots as time expired. It was a great finish. Isnt it cool that our area teams have won the state B championship game the last three years in a row?
I entered one of those final four pools before I left for the "B"s. as I was there Saturday night, I heard that Kansas lost. Since I had picked the Jayhawks to win it all, I think I would have gotten as much enjoyment in just setting my money on fire.
Joe Mauer has finally signed his contract extension with the Twins, My esteemed colleague Mr. Fisher is giddy with excitement. Its almost like he is going to be on Joe's xmas list or something. I think ok, fine, whatever, and at the DRG studios Monday, I make some kind of remark about Mauer and how he wont be a Twin for the entire 8 years of this contract. This draws the ire of our sports director and he brings this up in his Tuesday blog. After reading that I felt that I needed to defend myself and my position. There are two possible scenarios to describe how this is going to play out. First lets all agree that the Twins HAD to sign Mauer before the season started and Target Field opened. If they hadnt, the PR fallout would have been disasterous. And the talk of him leaving would have destroyed ticket sales for 2011. Giving Joe the no trade clause is meaningless at this point. Lets agree on that and move on to.....................
The Major League scenario. Remember Major League, it is one of my favorite sports movies, it begins with a former showgirl inheriting the Cleveland Indians. She hates Cleveland, and wants to move the team somewhere where she can get a new stadium. But, the only way she can get out of her current lease is if attendance falls below a certain level. She knows the team is bad but not bad enough, so she hires a new general manager and has him sign a team full of has beens and never will be's. Hoping they lose enough to drive down attendance. The Twins will have the luxury of the new stadium to help their revenue for the next couple of years, but what happens after that? To sell tickets you must win. Will the Twins continue to sign enough good players to help Mauer? Or, will the Twins eventually tank their roster so Joe will want out. Sound too crazy? Perhaps, but there is another way this could play out. And, its the more likely scenario.....................
But first, doesnt it seem funny to you that ESPN has been on a rampage since Thanksgiving weekend burying Tiger Woods. But now that Tiger has planned his return at this years Masters, and the first two rounds just happen to be televised on ESPN. It is being hailed as the return of the greatest golfer ever? I am not condoning anything Tiger has done. Its just the latest example of how fickle our media has become.
But I digress, there is another way the Twins can play this. The Herschel Walker scenario. There will be time in Mauer's career when his #'s start to decline and the Twins will know it before anyone else. Say the Yankees or the Red Sox offer their farm system for him. Wouldnt the Pohlad's spin it that Mauer is hurting the team by staying?
Maybe he wont want to catch everyday. Maybe he will want to move to first. There are alot of reasons to think that Mauer wont be a Twin for the full eight years of this deal.. One thing I will be watching is how Lebron James' free agency plays out. Does the NBA's best player continue to play for his hometown team the Cleveland Cavaliers, or what other team offers big money? What do the big endorsers like Nike, Gatorade and EA sports offer if he moves to a large market like LA or New York? Whos to say an offer like that doesnt get offered to Mauer? In three years the Twins are in last place, and the Yankees offer to honor his contract and he can he can get $100 million in endorsements if he moves to NYC? Then does he waive his "no trade" clause?
The only thing we know for sure, the Twins had no other choice but to sign him. Joe Mauer is well on his way to being the greatest baseball player since Mickey Mantle. Enjoy him while you can Twins fans. Dont forget it wasnt that long ago the Pohlad family would have contracted the Twins if the league would have allowed it. Or, unless they got their new stadium.
The over under on Mauer in a Twins uniform is 3.3 years. Or so
The Major League
Rod's Tuesday Take N Things
We still have one our Pierre college basketball players still playing in the post season. Junior Sam Willard played in foul trouble most of the night last night but still had 8 points and 8 boards in Pacific's 63-59 win over Northern Colorado last night. Next up for Sammy and the Tigers is Appalachian St. at Boone, North Carolina tomorrow night. You can follow how Sam and his team is doing by going either to the Pacific website, www.pacific.edu and then click on the athletics link or you can go to the College Insider Dot Com website, the folks who sponor the tournament at www.collegeinsider.com and then go to the proper link and follow along.
Twins fans are resting comfortably now that Joe Mauer's name is on the dotted line. 8 year, 184 million dollar contract with a no trade clause. It seems the fans and media were the only ones that were getting nervous that Mauer wasn't signing. GM Bill Smith certainly wasn't. He said they talked once about it last year and then about 60 days ago begin talking again and it finally was signed. Target Field revenue is a big reason the Twins have the money to sign him at those numbers. How long will be play with the Twins. I say 8 years. There are those more skeptical, like my colleague Darrin Boyle. He tells me yesterday they only signed him so they have trade bait. Darrin, the only team that could afford to take up his contract now is the Yankees and last time I looked, they are set at catcher. The Red Sox can't even afford him now. Welcome to my world folks. Just another day in sports paradise within the freindly confines of the walls of the Dakota Radio Group sports department.
Twins fans are resting comfortably now that Joe Mauer's name is on the dotted line. 8 year, 184 million dollar contract with a no trade clause. It seems the fans and media were the only ones that were getting nervous that Mauer wasn't signing. GM Bill Smith certainly wasn't. He said they talked once about it last year and then about 60 days ago begin talking again and it finally was signed. Target Field revenue is a big reason the Twins have the money to sign him at those numbers. How long will be play with the Twins. I say 8 years. There are those more skeptical, like my colleague Darrin Boyle. He tells me yesterday they only signed him so they have trade bait. Darrin, the only team that could afford to take up his contract now is the Yankees and last time I looked, they are set at catcher. The Red Sox can't even afford him now. Welcome to my world folks. Just another day in sports paradise within the freindly confines of the walls of the Dakota Radio Group sports department.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Rod's Monday Take N Things
The All ESD Conference boys basketball team has been named by vote of the coaches of the ESD teams. Going winless in 14 ESD games and winning only 2 games for the year usually does not land anyone on an all conference team. But Pierre does have 3 players on the Honorable Mention team. Juniors Travis Adney and Scott Cichos along with freshman Zach Hanson are the 3 Governors named. No one from Pierre made the All ESD first team.
The bar has been set for Steph Paluch and Katie Lingle and the rest of the SDSU women's basketball team. 4 straight post season tournament appearances and two straight NCAA tournament visits. Now, unless you are really good and only lose twoor three games in the season, making the NCAA when you are in the Summit League probably means you have to win the conference tournament. SDSU has the last two years and should the next few years showdowns with Oral Roberts be fun to watch or what? Had the Jacks made some of their bunnies in the first half that they had last night, it would have been real intersting down the stretch, but watching the game last night and taking a look at the athleticisim that Oklahoma had the Jacks should feel very good about the effort they put out on national TV despite the loss. But I think you really saw the difference between Big Time Divison 1 players that go to the OU's and the UConn's and Tennessee's compared to Summit League and Missouri Valley Conference and the like. It is not quite as glaring on the men's side but let's face it, the way Northern Iowa is playing right now in the men's tournament, no Summit League team would stay with them.
Yesterday I called to arms the ESD to take the baton back from the GDC, more specific from the Sioux Falls schools, to take back Class AA boys basketball supremecy. The girls situation isn't getting as bad in the big school ranks but don't think that it can't. And while ESD basketball looks to be fairly balanced next year, S.F. Washington, Roosevelt, Lincoln and O'Gorman will once again battle it out. All have some talented players returning. The Rapid City schools I see as having down years and Sturgis and Spearfish for what ever reason just can not compete. Huron and Aberdeen Central, while losing alot of seniors, have some good underclassmen returning. Mitchell should be salty with Kerri Young and Kristin Sabers back as only sophomores. For Pierre, some girl will need to emerge from the off season as the leader, want to be the leader and take the lead and with senior and junior numbers not going to be there again, it may have to be a underclassman. Amber Olson would appear to be the heir apparent as she will be a returning senior starter. Amber is a very nice girl, maybe to nice. Amber, get a little gnarly on the court, take the lead and others will be there for you. Then be the nice person you are off the court and the Lady Govs could go a long way.
13-14 Teener baseball tryouts begin tonight 5 to 7 at the PILC indoor facility in their gym. Next weekend hopefully they will be able to have some outdoor stuff to do, after pancakes and sausage for $3 at the Legion Cabin from 7 a.m. to 11 am. And the Pierre Athletic Booster Club will have their "Spring Fling" next Tuesday, the 30th at the Kings Inn Convention Center. Details on all 3 of the above are My Daily News and on the air on several of the Dakota Radio Group Stations.
And, Sam Ostarello's first collegiate basketball season ended yesterday when Indiana State beat Purdue 59-57. Sam played 10 minutes scored 6 points. Sam Willard leads Pacific into tonight quarterfinals of the CIT tournament at Northern Colorado. Sam has had back to back career nights for Pacific coming off a 23 point 17 rebound performance last week at Loyola Marymount.
The bar has been set for Steph Paluch and Katie Lingle and the rest of the SDSU women's basketball team. 4 straight post season tournament appearances and two straight NCAA tournament visits. Now, unless you are really good and only lose twoor three games in the season, making the NCAA when you are in the Summit League probably means you have to win the conference tournament. SDSU has the last two years and should the next few years showdowns with Oral Roberts be fun to watch or what? Had the Jacks made some of their bunnies in the first half that they had last night, it would have been real intersting down the stretch, but watching the game last night and taking a look at the athleticisim that Oklahoma had the Jacks should feel very good about the effort they put out on national TV despite the loss. But I think you really saw the difference between Big Time Divison 1 players that go to the OU's and the UConn's and Tennessee's compared to Summit League and Missouri Valley Conference and the like. It is not quite as glaring on the men's side but let's face it, the way Northern Iowa is playing right now in the men's tournament, no Summit League team would stay with them.
Yesterday I called to arms the ESD to take the baton back from the GDC, more specific from the Sioux Falls schools, to take back Class AA boys basketball supremecy. The girls situation isn't getting as bad in the big school ranks but don't think that it can't. And while ESD basketball looks to be fairly balanced next year, S.F. Washington, Roosevelt, Lincoln and O'Gorman will once again battle it out. All have some talented players returning. The Rapid City schools I see as having down years and Sturgis and Spearfish for what ever reason just can not compete. Huron and Aberdeen Central, while losing alot of seniors, have some good underclassmen returning. Mitchell should be salty with Kerri Young and Kristin Sabers back as only sophomores. For Pierre, some girl will need to emerge from the off season as the leader, want to be the leader and take the lead and with senior and junior numbers not going to be there again, it may have to be a underclassman. Amber Olson would appear to be the heir apparent as she will be a returning senior starter. Amber is a very nice girl, maybe to nice. Amber, get a little gnarly on the court, take the lead and others will be there for you. Then be the nice person you are off the court and the Lady Govs could go a long way.
13-14 Teener baseball tryouts begin tonight 5 to 7 at the PILC indoor facility in their gym. Next weekend hopefully they will be able to have some outdoor stuff to do, after pancakes and sausage for $3 at the Legion Cabin from 7 a.m. to 11 am. And the Pierre Athletic Booster Club will have their "Spring Fling" next Tuesday, the 30th at the Kings Inn Convention Center. Details on all 3 of the above are My Daily News and on the air on several of the Dakota Radio Group Stations.
And, Sam Ostarello's first collegiate basketball season ended yesterday when Indiana State beat Purdue 59-57. Sam played 10 minutes scored 6 points. Sam Willard leads Pacific into tonight quarterfinals of the CIT tournament at Northern Colorado. Sam has had back to back career nights for Pacific coming off a 23 point 17 rebound performance last week at Loyola Marymount.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Rod's Sunday Take N Things
The High School basketball season is over in South Dakota. Or at least the winter portion of the season. Now the off season, or the most important season begins. What I saw from the state tournaments is 1) Jared Hannigan of Aberdeen Central is hands down the best boys basketball player in the state in any class, bar none. Sioux Falls O'Gorman was hands down, the best team in AA. Madison's convincing win over St. Thomas More in the A tournament ended any argument there. And White River was the best in the State B tournament. Still not sold that the Tigers were the overall best in the State in that class but in the 3 games when they had to be, they were. So they get the braggin rights for a year.
Now, the gauntlet has been tossed in Class AA boys. Right now the GDC, and to be more specific, the Sioux Falls Schools are better than anyone any ESD school can throw out there. And it does not look like it will change anytime soon. Watertown is the last ESD team to win a state boys championship back in 2008. O'Gorman has won three of the last 4 titles in 06, 07 and 10. Lincoln of course won it last year. Pierre had their shot in 06. Huron last year and Aberdeen Central in 07 and last night. Hmmm, seems to me that if you can get out of District 3AA, which does not change from year to year to year compared to districts in the other two classes, you got a chance, but that is a story for another time. Anyway for the boys it is time for the ESD to gather their arms and retake the State's top spot. Next years' best hope that I see are Pierre, Watertown and Brookings, not neccisarly in that order. Brandon Valley could also be in the mix. Huron may have the overall best player returning next year in Luke Carr, who played very well this weekend as a sophomore. Aberdeen Central, Huron, Mitchell and Yankton look to me to have the most work ahead of them. I would not count Mitchell and Huron out however. They have two coaches who almost will their players to win in Gary Munsen and Tim Buddenhagen. Out west, I look for Sturgis to be the team to beat. Stevens may have a new head coach next year, or at least the rumors are out there. Rapid City Central loses alot while Spearfish will be young again and Douglas, who knows. Alot depends on the U.S. Air Force there. I really think games next year between Pierre and Brookings and Pierre and Watertown are going to be fun ones to watch. The two biggest questions I have are 1) Who will progress the most in the offseason. And 2) will any of us survive coach Munsen? He is South Dakota boys basketball answer to the Timex Watch or Engergizer bunny. Just keeps going and going and ticking away.
Now, the gauntlet has been tossed in Class AA boys. Right now the GDC, and to be more specific, the Sioux Falls Schools are better than anyone any ESD school can throw out there. And it does not look like it will change anytime soon. Watertown is the last ESD team to win a state boys championship back in 2008. O'Gorman has won three of the last 4 titles in 06, 07 and 10. Lincoln of course won it last year. Pierre had their shot in 06. Huron last year and Aberdeen Central in 07 and last night. Hmmm, seems to me that if you can get out of District 3AA, which does not change from year to year to year compared to districts in the other two classes, you got a chance, but that is a story for another time. Anyway for the boys it is time for the ESD to gather their arms and retake the State's top spot. Next years' best hope that I see are Pierre, Watertown and Brookings, not neccisarly in that order. Brandon Valley could also be in the mix. Huron may have the overall best player returning next year in Luke Carr, who played very well this weekend as a sophomore. Aberdeen Central, Huron, Mitchell and Yankton look to me to have the most work ahead of them. I would not count Mitchell and Huron out however. They have two coaches who almost will their players to win in Gary Munsen and Tim Buddenhagen. Out west, I look for Sturgis to be the team to beat. Stevens may have a new head coach next year, or at least the rumors are out there. Rapid City Central loses alot while Spearfish will be young again and Douglas, who knows. Alot depends on the U.S. Air Force there. I really think games next year between Pierre and Brookings and Pierre and Watertown are going to be fun ones to watch. The two biggest questions I have are 1) Who will progress the most in the offseason. And 2) will any of us survive coach Munsen? He is South Dakota boys basketball answer to the Timex Watch or Engergizer bunny. Just keeps going and going and ticking away.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Darren Boyle's weekly words of wisdom from the B's
We have reached the final day of the boys basketball season. Sully Buttes got back on the winning track yesterday with a 63-45 win over Colman-Egan. The Chargers were able to play their type of game more than they did against Viborg, and the team fed off of that to get the "w" and the chance to play for the consolation championship against an old nenesis in James Valley Christian. They know each other well and it should be an entertaining way for these two teams to close out the season. We will have it for you on River 92.7 @ about 1:45.
White River will play in the state B championship game for the third straight year. They survived in the semi-finals as they outlasted Viborg. The Tigers knew they had to play an up tempo game to be successful and they were able to do that for 3 1/2 quarters. But the Vikings staged an awesome comeback cut it to 3 with less than a minute left as White River missed 5 consecutive free throws. Viborg got a good look at a three to tie but missed and the Ztigers were able to hang on. There was alot of talk around the hotel of the technical foul called against Viborg in the final seconds for delay of game. In my mind it shouldnt have been called, and in the end I dont believe it would have made any difference anyway. After Viborg got the two pointer instead of the three it was over. So White River plays Hitchcock- Tulare for the state B title. The Patriots have been the comeback kids of this years "B". They have erased double digit deficits in both of their tournament games and if anyone can match up with White Rivers quickness it is H-T. Alot of times in state championship games, it comes down to how much each team has in the tank and as I type this I am not sure how much either team has. No matter what it is going to be fun we should tip off around 8:00 on River 92.7 and www.dakotaradiogroup.com.
There also has been been alot of buzz around here about the AA semi final game last night between Huron and O'Gorman. It sounds like the Newton kid from Huron had to be carried off on a stretcher after a dunk attempt and a hard play where there was no foul called. Perhaps there was some bad blood remaining from when the two teams played earlier this season when Mr. Newton threw an elbow that caught an O'Gorman kid and fractured his jaw. I havent seen the play from last night, for some reason there are no replays available and noone has put it on youtube yet, but I have seen the play from earlier this season. That play was dirty, pure and simple. Something should have been done at the time to make sure it didnt happen again but of course there wasnt and now this play happens at the AA tournamnet which is one of the SDHSAA's marquee events. Somebody, somewhere, better get a grip on what is happening, because there is no place for this in high school sports.
See you on the radio this afternoon.
White River will play in the state B championship game for the third straight year. They survived in the semi-finals as they outlasted Viborg. The Tigers knew they had to play an up tempo game to be successful and they were able to do that for 3 1/2 quarters. But the Vikings staged an awesome comeback cut it to 3 with less than a minute left as White River missed 5 consecutive free throws. Viborg got a good look at a three to tie but missed and the Ztigers were able to hang on. There was alot of talk around the hotel of the technical foul called against Viborg in the final seconds for delay of game. In my mind it shouldnt have been called, and in the end I dont believe it would have made any difference anyway. After Viborg got the two pointer instead of the three it was over. So White River plays Hitchcock- Tulare for the state B title. The Patriots have been the comeback kids of this years "B". They have erased double digit deficits in both of their tournament games and if anyone can match up with White Rivers quickness it is H-T. Alot of times in state championship games, it comes down to how much each team has in the tank and as I type this I am not sure how much either team has. No matter what it is going to be fun we should tip off around 8:00 on River 92.7 and www.dakotaradiogroup.com.
There also has been been alot of buzz around here about the AA semi final game last night between Huron and O'Gorman. It sounds like the Newton kid from Huron had to be carried off on a stretcher after a dunk attempt and a hard play where there was no foul called. Perhaps there was some bad blood remaining from when the two teams played earlier this season when Mr. Newton threw an elbow that caught an O'Gorman kid and fractured his jaw. I havent seen the play from last night, for some reason there are no replays available and noone has put it on youtube yet, but I have seen the play from earlier this season. That play was dirty, pure and simple. Something should have been done at the time to make sure it didnt happen again but of course there wasnt and now this play happens at the AA tournamnet which is one of the SDHSAA's marquee events. Somebody, somewhere, better get a grip on what is happening, because there is no place for this in high school sports.
See you on the radio this afternoon.
Rod's Saturday Take N Things
What a busy last two days it has been for me. No State Basketball tournament to cover does not stop the work to be done. Since we have the mega march madness package at home through directv there is a channel that is called "mix channel". It has all 3 games or 4 going at the same time. With a big screen it is like having 4 13 inch channels going at the same time. So that is on our living room. State boys basketball tournaments are going on. Now with satellite tv, you don't get the 2 or 3Public Broadcasting channels so you can't pick and choose which tournament you want to watch, so the Class B tournament is on the tv in our kitchen. That leaves the computer. They do a very nice job of streaming video from the state tournaments. My wife has a laptop and I have a laptop. My wife was in Florida this week watching Mikey play baseball and my oldest son Trevor went with her. As a matter of fact as I write this, this morning, she should be landing in Fargo with Trevor, so I have only about 6 hours of getting to do things my way. Anyway, I had one laptop with the Class A tournament going and then on mine was the "AA". Therefore, I had as many as 7 basketball games on at the same time. Problem with that is that with 7 games going, you try to watch all and find out you don't know what is going on in any of them. I can tell you this however. Aberdeen Central's comeback last night against Rapid City Central on their home court, or at least across the street from it, was impressive. Some big time plays were made by both teams in the 4th quarter. O'Gorman vs. Aberdeen Central tonight is to close to call, but it reminds me of 06 when Pierre played O'Gorman for the title. All was well until the final minute and the way Derek Robey has his team playing, it will be hard to pick against them. But I think Aberdeen Central just might be able to do it. O'Gorman beat Huron for a second time by 20 this season last night. Terrell Newton was injured, carried off on a stretcher after he went up for a dunk and the Robey boy from O'Gorman went up to block it. No foul called, Newton came down hard. Hope he is ok but I am sure the Huron fans are fit to tied. As good as Newton is, he is not a 20 point difference in the game kinda of player. O'G beat Huron by 20 in the regular season with Newton. So Huron folks, figure it out. Was it payback for the Newton elbow incident that sidelined the Nielsen kid in the regular season? Maybe but probably not. Just two players, trying to make a play. And I won't say anything about the officiating, but at least two of the guys in that 3 man crew, probably should not have been officiating that particular game. Huron especially has a thing about certain officials. Oh but wait, that what they say about Pierre, especially back in 06 when one of those guys was working that game too.
Anyway, one more day of multiple basketball, although by later this afternoon, I will have one less computer to use and maybe 2, and maybe a kitchen tv. Not sure where i postion my easy chair so I can take all this in will be allowed.
Anyway, one more day of multiple basketball, although by later this afternoon, I will have one less computer to use and maybe 2, and maybe a kitchen tv. Not sure where i postion my easy chair so I can take all this in will be allowed.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Darre Boyle's weekly words of wisdom from the B
Our local teams went 1-1 in their opening round games today. White River won their opening roung game with a 68-58 win over Colman Egan. A win was kind of the way the
Tigers have won all season, nothing fancy, just enough to get the job done. White River appeared to want to get the game over with. I mean by that after the Tigers got the lead they did a nice job of shortening the game up by running clock. White River doesnt have the deepest bench in this tournament, so saving the legs of the starters even though they were still in the floor probally was a good idea. White River seems to have been down this road before.
Sully Buttes came up on the short end of a 68-56 verdict to the Viborg Vikings. Viborg got the lead early and withstood several runs from the Chargers. Viborg is one of the taller teams in any of the three state tournaments. Their front line is 6'4", 6'6" and 6'9". That proved advantageous as the Vikings had a big rebounding advantage. The other big stat was from the freethrow line, Viborg had 30 free throw attempts compared to 14 for Sully Buttes. A very telling stat because it shows how hard SB had to play defense in the entire second half just to stay close.
So Sully Buttes plays Colman Egan @ 1:00 Friday in the consolation semi-finals and White River plays Viborg in the first semifinal game tomorrow night @ 7:00. Two questions come to mind, first how do the Chargers bounce back from a emotional loss in todays opening round? Second, how will Viborg respond after an emotional win? Will the way White River closed out their win help them Friday night? OK thats three questions but whos really counting? Other random thoughts from the past couple of weeks.
It was 12:40 this afternoon when I saw the first state tournament fan with mohawk, at 4:40 I saw the second. Its just something you have to do to be a fan right?
LT said all along that he wanted nothing more than to play with Brett Farve, since LT has signed with the Jets, does that mean that Farve isnt coming back?
Is it bad karma when the Twins are moving into a ball park that is even more hitter friendly than the metrodome and their closer blows his arm out?
If the Twins sign Joe Mauer, can they win enough games to keep enough people in the seats of Target Field to pay for this big contract or will Mauer be trade bait in a couple of seasons?
See, just because the highschool basketball season is coming to an end doesnt mean there is nothing to worry about. See you on the radio Friday at 12:45. Hope you enjoy our coverage.
Tigers have won all season, nothing fancy, just enough to get the job done. White River appeared to want to get the game over with. I mean by that after the Tigers got the lead they did a nice job of shortening the game up by running clock. White River doesnt have the deepest bench in this tournament, so saving the legs of the starters even though they were still in the floor probally was a good idea. White River seems to have been down this road before.
Sully Buttes came up on the short end of a 68-56 verdict to the Viborg Vikings. Viborg got the lead early and withstood several runs from the Chargers. Viborg is one of the taller teams in any of the three state tournaments. Their front line is 6'4", 6'6" and 6'9". That proved advantageous as the Vikings had a big rebounding advantage. The other big stat was from the freethrow line, Viborg had 30 free throw attempts compared to 14 for Sully Buttes. A very telling stat because it shows how hard SB had to play defense in the entire second half just to stay close.
So Sully Buttes plays Colman Egan @ 1:00 Friday in the consolation semi-finals and White River plays Viborg in the first semifinal game tomorrow night @ 7:00. Two questions come to mind, first how do the Chargers bounce back from a emotional loss in todays opening round? Second, how will Viborg respond after an emotional win? Will the way White River closed out their win help them Friday night? OK thats three questions but whos really counting? Other random thoughts from the past couple of weeks.
It was 12:40 this afternoon when I saw the first state tournament fan with mohawk, at 4:40 I saw the second. Its just something you have to do to be a fan right?
LT said all along that he wanted nothing more than to play with Brett Farve, since LT has signed with the Jets, does that mean that Farve isnt coming back?
Is it bad karma when the Twins are moving into a ball park that is even more hitter friendly than the metrodome and their closer blows his arm out?
If the Twins sign Joe Mauer, can they win enough games to keep enough people in the seats of Target Field to pay for this big contract or will Mauer be trade bait in a couple of seasons?
See, just because the highschool basketball season is coming to an end doesnt mean there is nothing to worry about. See you on the radio Friday at 12:45. Hope you enjoy our coverage.
Darren Boyle's weekly words of wisdom "AT THE B'S"
Greetings all from the Barnett Center in Aberdeen. Looks like we are in for a good "B" tournament again this year . We will have coverage on River 92.7 and www.dakotaradiogroup.com of all the White River and Sully Buttes games. White River comes in as the #1 seed and Sully Buttes is in town to defend te state B title as the #4 seed. tune in for the coverage and check oout my posts from the tournamnent from time to time.
Rod's Thursday Take N Things
Nice job Sammy! Sam Willard had a career high 23 points and 17 rebounds last night to help Pacific beat Loyola Marymount and advance in the CIT post season basketball tournament. Pacific plays Northern Colorado Monday in the second round.
The Athletic Directors will have another chance to say no to their basketball coaches later this month at their annual spring get together. Coaches advisory votes once again include a shot clock for Class A and B schools. AD's will vote NO once again. It cost to much to get the equipment and then you have to provide someone to run the shot clock. Money will be the number 1 reason though. And the AD's will vote NO to the 16 minute half instead of 4 quarters consisting of 8 minutes. Coaches I have talked too don't like the two 16 minute halves. They like that free time out they get called the end of the third quarter. The football suggestion in Class 11AA football giving top teams byes for the first round seems to be getting more and more support. It's being pushed by the Sioux Falls Schools of course because they will be the ones that get the byes. Call me negative but take a look at the last few years. Who has been the number 1 and 2 power point teams at regular season end. It hasn't been an ESD school and certainly not anyone from west river. That proposal will continue to get pushed and pushed til it gets through. And there will be at least two retiring Athletic Directors getting to vote. It will be close. There are a list of proposals you can take a look at on the High School Activities Association website. And again, as you look at them, ask yourself if it will cost more. That will be the overiding reason in alot of decisions. That includes travel cost for schools at all 3 class levels. But that may be more of a factor for the Class A and B schools, especially in football. AA I think understands that travel is a way of life. Why do you think Sioux Falls schools would rather only travel to Sioux City to play than Rapid City!
The Athletic Directors will have another chance to say no to their basketball coaches later this month at their annual spring get together. Coaches advisory votes once again include a shot clock for Class A and B schools. AD's will vote NO once again. It cost to much to get the equipment and then you have to provide someone to run the shot clock. Money will be the number 1 reason though. And the AD's will vote NO to the 16 minute half instead of 4 quarters consisting of 8 minutes. Coaches I have talked too don't like the two 16 minute halves. They like that free time out they get called the end of the third quarter. The football suggestion in Class 11AA football giving top teams byes for the first round seems to be getting more and more support. It's being pushed by the Sioux Falls Schools of course because they will be the ones that get the byes. Call me negative but take a look at the last few years. Who has been the number 1 and 2 power point teams at regular season end. It hasn't been an ESD school and certainly not anyone from west river. That proposal will continue to get pushed and pushed til it gets through. And there will be at least two retiring Athletic Directors getting to vote. It will be close. There are a list of proposals you can take a look at on the High School Activities Association website. And again, as you look at them, ask yourself if it will cost more. That will be the overiding reason in alot of decisions. That includes travel cost for schools at all 3 class levels. But that may be more of a factor for the Class A and B schools, especially in football. AA I think understands that travel is a way of life. Why do you think Sioux Falls schools would rather only travel to Sioux City to play than Rapid City!
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Rod's Tuesday Take N Things
I am accused every once in awhile of being the voice of doom and gloom and optomistic is not one of my best virtues. Most lately because I don't think either White River or Sully Buttes will win the B tournament. I hope one of them does. It would be great. But I ask you, this is a person that was so optomistic that the Governors were going to make the state tournament that I did not go to Florida with Mrs. Fisher to watch our baby play baseball during his spring trip with the MSUM Dragons. Now, was that not optomisim? She's got the sun and fun and I have a dog that has her days and nights messed up when it comes to roaming around the house patterns at age 14 dog years and 98 in people years! So being my optomistic self, the SDSU women's basketball team I predict, will not get out of the first round of the NCAA women's basketball tournament. While they are good, they are not as a good of a team as last year. And Oklahoma is really good. A final four team a year ago. Plus you are playing them on their home court! I do not see an upset in the making, but I do see a close game with Oklahoma pulling away in the final minutes to win by maybe 10 or so. Now, being a born and bred die hard Husker, it is very difficult for me to give Oklahoma an even break. I have let SDSU radio voice and Pierre guy Tyler Merriam know that if he really wants to stir up the pot, I have some Huskers and anti Sooner stuff he can take with him to get under some Sooner skin. And we all know the O on the Sooner football helmets signifies their team IQ. Although that isn't as meaningful now since they only play twice every 4 years as it was back in the old Big 8 Conference days. So Go Jacks. 8:30 p.m. Sunday on KGFX as well as on ESPN2.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Rod's Monday Take N Things
If you did not have a chance to watch of the South Dakota Public Broadcasting special, History of Girls Basketball in South Dakota, I would urge you to do it when it is shown again. You can order a DVD for $90, not sure if it is worth that, but it was indeed quite interesting. Some nice interviews with Becky Flynn of Wakonda and Becky Hammon, former Brookings studs Amy Mikkelson and Renae Salquist, Bob Winter, Harold Thune and others. Nice piece on the Highmore girls and the Oahe Valley Conference back in the day. There could have been more but you can only get so much stuff into an hour and then of course a couple of 15 minute money raising segments. But a good program. I recorded it.
Nice resolve by the Capitals Hockey team to bounce back and beat Watertown 3-1 in the thrid place game of the state hockey tournament. First time in 4 years that Pierre has beaten Watertown in the final game of the tournament in what ever place game there were playing. After losing in overtime in the semis on Saturday it would have been easy to just go through the motions, but not this team. It showed a little pride, especially by the seniors on the squad. And what about Rushmore. The have only had hockey for around 10 years and already a state championship in both the boys varsity and JV state tournaments.
I was dissapointed that Pacific and Sam Willard did not get an NIT bid. So they play in the CIT (College Insiders Dot Com Tournament)for a second year. Pacific plasy at Loyola Marymount on Wednesday. South Dakota and White River's Louie Krogman are also playing in the tournament. They open at Creighton tomorrow night. And of course tonight is the NCAA Women's tournament selection. SDSU and Pierre freshman Steph Paluch and Katie Lingle await to see who they play and where they go. The ESPN Bracketology dude after going about week with SDSU going to Notre Dame for their first round game changed that yesterday. Now he has SDSU going to the Tempe bracket and plays Texas A&M in the first round. That is a tough draw. A&M was very impressive Saturday in beating Nebraska in the Big 12 tournament and giving the Huskers their first loss of the season. A&M went on to win the Big 12 tournament yesterday.
Congrats to Highmore-Harrold and their third place finish at the State B girls tournament. And the boys go at it this weekend. Three area teams in the fields. Crow Creek in the A and Sully Buttes and White River in the B. I Don't expect any of the 3 to bring home the championship trophy this year.
And, Pierre had two girls named to the All ESD girls basketball team this year. Paige Burkett was named to the All Conference squad and Amber Olson was named Honorable Mention. Not bad for Paige considering she sat out 3 weeks or so with an injury. Amber led the team in scoring at 11 points per game. Congratulations to both.
Nice resolve by the Capitals Hockey team to bounce back and beat Watertown 3-1 in the thrid place game of the state hockey tournament. First time in 4 years that Pierre has beaten Watertown in the final game of the tournament in what ever place game there were playing. After losing in overtime in the semis on Saturday it would have been easy to just go through the motions, but not this team. It showed a little pride, especially by the seniors on the squad. And what about Rushmore. The have only had hockey for around 10 years and already a state championship in both the boys varsity and JV state tournaments.
I was dissapointed that Pacific and Sam Willard did not get an NIT bid. So they play in the CIT (College Insiders Dot Com Tournament)for a second year. Pacific plasy at Loyola Marymount on Wednesday. South Dakota and White River's Louie Krogman are also playing in the tournament. They open at Creighton tomorrow night. And of course tonight is the NCAA Women's tournament selection. SDSU and Pierre freshman Steph Paluch and Katie Lingle await to see who they play and where they go. The ESPN Bracketology dude after going about week with SDSU going to Notre Dame for their first round game changed that yesterday. Now he has SDSU going to the Tempe bracket and plays Texas A&M in the first round. That is a tough draw. A&M was very impressive Saturday in beating Nebraska in the Big 12 tournament and giving the Huskers their first loss of the season. A&M went on to win the Big 12 tournament yesterday.
Congrats to Highmore-Harrold and their third place finish at the State B girls tournament. And the boys go at it this weekend. Three area teams in the fields. Crow Creek in the A and Sully Buttes and White River in the B. I Don't expect any of the 3 to bring home the championship trophy this year.
And, Pierre had two girls named to the All ESD girls basketball team this year. Paige Burkett was named to the All Conference squad and Amber Olson was named Honorable Mention. Not bad for Paige considering she sat out 3 weeks or so with an injury. Amber led the team in scoring at 11 points per game. Congratulations to both.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Rods Sunday Take N Things
Pierre and Ft. Pierre's can't miss hockey team missed. Another non championship year for Pierre and Ft. Pierre winter athletics. A 3-2 overtime loss to Rushmore Saturday in the semi finals I am sure left another bitter taste in the mouth of Pierre and Ft. Pierre athletics. Number 1 seed, and set up for a run at the championship but unfortunatly like to many years, No chants of we're number 1 to be heard. Just like 2007 boys hockey. 2006 boys basketball. 2001 boys basketball and lets not forget 07, 08 and 09 girls basketball for Pierre. Same years for volleyball, not to mention Legon baseball in the first half of this decade. Now, there were 3 state track and field championships but track and field is not what you would call a team spectator sport. It was a very good thing. My point, they do not call the month of May, May Madness. So there is always next year.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Rod's Saturday Take N Things
Wow, Aberdeen Central plays Huron at Huron for the State Class AA Girls Basketball Tournament's (Drumb roll please) 7th place. Who'd a thunk it. The two best the ESD had to offer this year, playing for 7th place. Very dissapointing to say the least. Giving the GDC more ammunition to laugh and say I told you so.
Capitals Hockey team could of played better but they won. That's bottom line these days. 5-1 over Aberdeen last night. Brian Long scored the game winner late in the first period. If you haven't followed hockey, Brian is a young man who hit the weight room with some passion last summer and wound up as a starting tight end for the Governor football team, and performed well. One of those players you pull for. Not flashy, just knows his role, what needs to be done and go out and do it. Capitals play Rushmore at 7:30 tonight in the semi finals. Watertown plays Brookings in the other. And while I am on it, another unsung player on the Capitals is goaltender Cody Bishop. He should be a first team all league player when they give out the post season awards. Just goes out, stops shots and does what he is supposed to do.
Dissapointing night for Sam Willard and his Pacific basksetball team. They lost to Long Beach State 68-61 in the semi finals of the Big West Conference tournament. So no NCAA tournament for Sam probably, this year anyway. He still had 13 points and 8 rebounds in the loss. I stayed up til 1:30 a.m. watching the game last night. When he touched the ball, he was smothered. Long Beach probably played their best game of the year. Pacific might make the NIT. I would think that other tournament, what is it ball, College Insiders Dot Com tournament (that is what it was called last year) for sure. 20-11 record should get you something. And Nebraska's women continue to win. 30-0 with two games to go in the regular season. Word is UConn is starting to study game tape. If I read the brackets correctly, if the Huskers are a 1 seed which they should be, even if they lose today or tomorrow at the Big 12 tournament, and both win their regions they would meet in the semi finals of the Final 4. Somehow I don't think the Huskers are studying game tape of UConn. In the tournament, the Huskers are my number 1 team and my number 2 team will be, whoever is playing UConn.
And spring is coming. Parents take note.....Parent Track & Field Meeting on Thursday, March 18th, 2010 at the Riggs High School librbary starting at 7:00 pm. Any parent of a high school track and field athlete needs to attend this meeting. If you have any questions, please call Coach Larson at 295-1438.
When you have your parents meeting, it means the season is starting. First scheduled meet is two weeks from today, an indoor meet at Aberdeen. Boys tennis can get started beginning MOnday also....girls golf officially is also started but unless your in Sioux Falls or someplace and you have an indoor driving range, there is not much you really can do. Go find the closest golf simulator and play Pebble Beach I suppose.
Capitals Hockey team could of played better but they won. That's bottom line these days. 5-1 over Aberdeen last night. Brian Long scored the game winner late in the first period. If you haven't followed hockey, Brian is a young man who hit the weight room with some passion last summer and wound up as a starting tight end for the Governor football team, and performed well. One of those players you pull for. Not flashy, just knows his role, what needs to be done and go out and do it. Capitals play Rushmore at 7:30 tonight in the semi finals. Watertown plays Brookings in the other. And while I am on it, another unsung player on the Capitals is goaltender Cody Bishop. He should be a first team all league player when they give out the post season awards. Just goes out, stops shots and does what he is supposed to do.
Dissapointing night for Sam Willard and his Pacific basksetball team. They lost to Long Beach State 68-61 in the semi finals of the Big West Conference tournament. So no NCAA tournament for Sam probably, this year anyway. He still had 13 points and 8 rebounds in the loss. I stayed up til 1:30 a.m. watching the game last night. When he touched the ball, he was smothered. Long Beach probably played their best game of the year. Pacific might make the NIT. I would think that other tournament, what is it ball, College Insiders Dot Com tournament (that is what it was called last year) for sure. 20-11 record should get you something. And Nebraska's women continue to win. 30-0 with two games to go in the regular season. Word is UConn is starting to study game tape. If I read the brackets correctly, if the Huskers are a 1 seed which they should be, even if they lose today or tomorrow at the Big 12 tournament, and both win their regions they would meet in the semi finals of the Final 4. Somehow I don't think the Huskers are studying game tape of UConn. In the tournament, the Huskers are my number 1 team and my number 2 team will be, whoever is playing UConn.
And spring is coming. Parents take note.....Parent Track & Field Meeting on Thursday, March 18th, 2010 at the Riggs High School librbary starting at 7:00 pm. Any parent of a high school track and field athlete needs to attend this meeting. If you have any questions, please call Coach Larson at 295-1438.
When you have your parents meeting, it means the season is starting. First scheduled meet is two weeks from today, an indoor meet at Aberdeen. Boys tennis can get started beginning MOnday also....girls golf officially is also started but unless your in Sioux Falls or someplace and you have an indoor driving range, there is not much you really can do. Go find the closest golf simulator and play Pebble Beach I suppose.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Rod's Friday Take N Things
First day of the State Girls Basketball Tournaments are in the books and upsets galore, or as my long time friend Phil Trautner used to argue with me "how can you call any game in high school sports an upset". Aberdeen Central and Newell are top seeds that go down. The AA tournament has seeds 5 through 8 playing in the semi finals tonight. Again, proving my point from earlier that it is tougher to win in the AA post season than in the other two classes and the lower level teams are more equal to the higher level teams than in the other classes. Highmore-Harrold's win over Newell was a nice win. And Newell did not help any of west river's argument that they are as good as the east river teams. And strengthened the East River question "Who have they played". Highmore-Harrold was the 8th seed and probably were the favorites cause of the argument "Who has Newell played". Well, Wall loses in overtime by 1 to Summit and Newell beat Wall 2 times out of 3. Wall beat Highmore-Harrold by 1. So that could give some credence to the west river argument that we can play with the east river schools. And the two Rapid City teams are in the semis of the AA. Pine Ridge is the lone West River team left in the A, and from what I saw yesterday, a pretty good West River rep.
And the latest that I saw as of 7 p.m. eastern time last night from the ESPN bracketology dude for the NCAA women's basktball tournament, he still has SDSU headed to South Bend as a 15th seed in the Minneapolis Region and play Notre Dame on their home court in the first round. Gonzaga and Middle Tennessee St are in the other bracket. If that holds true, if SDSU can pull off an upset over Notre Dame then they could have a real chance of making the Sweet 16. Maybe a better chance that last year.
Little League Baseball registration for Capital City Baseball Association is Thursday 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm at Georgia Morse Middle School. Registration fees are the same as last year. $35 for Pee Wee's, $40 for Minor and Major divisions and $45 for Ponys. Kids should be bringing the info home if they haven't already from school. Otherwise, get ahold of Bill Sarringer or Pat Snyder. And Bob Sullivan is still putting the final touches on the Legion and Teener schedules for baseball. He tells me he has some 20 and 25 guys working out with their indoor stuff and may get more if the guys don't compete in a spring sport. And Minnesota Twins single game tickets will go on sale beginning tomorrow thru their outlets including their website. There will be less singles game tickets to go around cause Target Field has less seating than the Metrodome did.
And the latest that I saw as of 7 p.m. eastern time last night from the ESPN bracketology dude for the NCAA women's basktball tournament, he still has SDSU headed to South Bend as a 15th seed in the Minneapolis Region and play Notre Dame on their home court in the first round. Gonzaga and Middle Tennessee St are in the other bracket. If that holds true, if SDSU can pull off an upset over Notre Dame then they could have a real chance of making the Sweet 16. Maybe a better chance that last year.
Little League Baseball registration for Capital City Baseball Association is Thursday 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm at Georgia Morse Middle School. Registration fees are the same as last year. $35 for Pee Wee's, $40 for Minor and Major divisions and $45 for Ponys. Kids should be bringing the info home if they haven't already from school. Otherwise, get ahold of Bill Sarringer or Pat Snyder. And Bob Sullivan is still putting the final touches on the Legion and Teener schedules for baseball. He tells me he has some 20 and 25 guys working out with their indoor stuff and may get more if the guys don't compete in a spring sport. And Minnesota Twins single game tickets will go on sale beginning tomorrow thru their outlets including their website. There will be less singles game tickets to go around cause Target Field has less seating than the Metrodome did.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Rod's Thursday Take n Things
It is interesting to take a look at ESPN's bracketology, a term they invented, to figure out where the South Dakota State women's basketball team will play in the NCAA tournament. The latest that I saw, was at 7 p.m. Eastern time last night and had SDSU opening up against Notre Dame with the region game being played at South Bend on Sunday March 21. They would be a part of the Minneapolis Region and Notre Dame would be a 2 seed and SDSU a 15. Unbeaten Nebraska would be a 1 seed in that Region. Oral Roberts, who lost two less games than SDSU and beat them twice according to the ESPN bracketology dude is out of the tournament. It no doubt will change several times before the selection show is announced next Monday night on ESPN. If your a Pierre Governor and Lady Governor sports fan, be sure to tune into the Governors Sports Roundtable program at 4:05 p.m. on KGFX. Season ending interviews with coaches K and Becker (who by the way had his Mizzou Tigers lose to my Huskers yesterday in a big upset in the Big 12 men's tournament) and those always fun season ending interviews for the girls and boys basketball teams. Also will talk girls and boys varsity hockey. They talked about the season of course but also what they are looking for in the upcoming off season and looking ahead to next year. I mentioned a couple of things in my blog yesterday. And I wish Highmore-Harrold well at the girls State B tournament. I interview head coach Mike Ring every week and yesterday gave him an upgrade. Called him Mike Rounds. Of course Rounds is Governor Rounds although at this stage, Coach Ring is probably more popular in Highmore than Governor Rounds. I think the Governor saw the humor in my blunder.
Brian Picks (guesses) the Girls BB Tourneys
Well, it's that time again. March Madness - one of the best times of the year. For me, it's one of the best times of the year because it all leads up to the best day in the entire sports calendar...Major League Baseball Opening Day! But that'll be saved for another post. Today the State Girls Basketball Tournaments tip off, and since I've made such a habit of making picks, I figured I'd better get my two cents in here, just in the event that I turn out to be right on a few for this coming weekend.
First of all, we all wish the best of luck to the Highmore-Harrold Lady Pirates. It's been a great season so far, and when you think about it, sure, there are some teams that pull it off but not many - think about how many teams in Class B (or A) make it to the State Tournament in both volleyball and basketball. This year only Highmore-Harrold in Class B pulled that feat, and in Class A, only Mobridge-Pollock has done it, so that's pretty kool. Obviously in AA, it's more likely to happen, but look at Aberdeen Central - they won the State Volleyball Tournament, and are the odds-on favorite to win in basketball as well. But enough about that, let's look at the brackets.
In Class B, as much as I will root for the Pirates, I'm afraid the deck will be stacked against them. The B could really go a lot of different ways, and I really don't see any blowouts happening. I have been picking Newell all season long, since they finished third in Class A last year and really didn't lose anyone this year as they dropped to Class B. They breezed through a mostly-Class A schedule stumbled only once against Wall, who also happens to be in the same bracket. I'll stick with Newell and pick them to win it all, but Summit, the defending champion, fresh off their upset of unbeaten Ipswich, may stand in the way and cause some problems. The other team I expect to do well is James Valley Christian. Finally, they didn't have to get past Sully Buttes to get to State, but this may be their best team ever. They come in with only one loss this year, and that came against.....? Highmore-Harrold. I guess with that said, I should definitely not count out the Lady Pirates. But, my first instincts tell me Class B will finish like this:
1) Newell 2) JVC 3) Summit 4) Castlewood 5) Wall 6) Freeman 7) Viborg 8) Highmore-Harrold
(Ladies, prove me wrong, and I'll get you all Player of the Game t-shirts!) :o)
In Class A, I am really excited with the way Mobridge-Pollock has been playing, and if they can pull the upset in the first round, I think they can really go the distance. But this bracket can go several ways as well, and you still have a couple of once-beaten teams (Sisseton & Elkton), a defending champion (Pine Ridge), and a few other teams that have pulled some huge upsets to make the tournament field, in Dakota Valley and Tri-Valley. But in the A, I look for the top two seeds to meet in the final, but for Mobridge to win out in the consolation. Here's what I see:
1) Sisseton 2) Elkton-LB 3) Pine Ridge 4) Clark/WL 5) Mobridge-Pollock 6) Dakota Valley 7) Stickney/MV 8) Tri-Valley
And in Class AA, my only wish was that the Pierre Lady Govs were still in the tournament field. We have kind of grown used to seeing them there, but we'll have to adjust this weekend and watch some pretty good teams all try to knock Aberdeen Central off their top-ranked pedestal (good luck with that). The one thing that doesn't look right, though, is that only two ESD teams are in that tournament, but worse than that - ALL FOUR Sioux Falls schools are there. Well, before the Argus can predict the balance of power in GBB shifting to Sioux Falls, like it did in football, we'll give them their one year and then come back smoking next year - how's that sound? Here is the final finish for AA as I see it:
1) Aberdeen 2) SF Roosevelt 3) RC Central 4) SF Washington 5) Huron 6) SF O'Gorman 7) SF Lincoln 8) RC Stevens
Chances are, if they played the A & B tournaments out 5 teams, they could have five different champions, so let's keep in mind, these picks are for entertainment purposes only - unless I'm dead on, and I can ultimately pull the see-I-told-you-so card. Good luck to all, especially those from our neck of the woods, and we'll take a look at the boys tournaments next week.
-Radiooo
First of all, we all wish the best of luck to the Highmore-Harrold Lady Pirates. It's been a great season so far, and when you think about it, sure, there are some teams that pull it off but not many - think about how many teams in Class B (or A) make it to the State Tournament in both volleyball and basketball. This year only Highmore-Harrold in Class B pulled that feat, and in Class A, only Mobridge-Pollock has done it, so that's pretty kool. Obviously in AA, it's more likely to happen, but look at Aberdeen Central - they won the State Volleyball Tournament, and are the odds-on favorite to win in basketball as well. But enough about that, let's look at the brackets.
In Class B, as much as I will root for the Pirates, I'm afraid the deck will be stacked against them. The B could really go a lot of different ways, and I really don't see any blowouts happening. I have been picking Newell all season long, since they finished third in Class A last year and really didn't lose anyone this year as they dropped to Class B. They breezed through a mostly-Class A schedule stumbled only once against Wall, who also happens to be in the same bracket. I'll stick with Newell and pick them to win it all, but Summit, the defending champion, fresh off their upset of unbeaten Ipswich, may stand in the way and cause some problems. The other team I expect to do well is James Valley Christian. Finally, they didn't have to get past Sully Buttes to get to State, but this may be their best team ever. They come in with only one loss this year, and that came against.....? Highmore-Harrold. I guess with that said, I should definitely not count out the Lady Pirates. But, my first instincts tell me Class B will finish like this:
1) Newell 2) JVC 3) Summit 4) Castlewood 5) Wall 6) Freeman 7) Viborg 8) Highmore-Harrold
(Ladies, prove me wrong, and I'll get you all Player of the Game t-shirts!) :o)
In Class A, I am really excited with the way Mobridge-Pollock has been playing, and if they can pull the upset in the first round, I think they can really go the distance. But this bracket can go several ways as well, and you still have a couple of once-beaten teams (Sisseton & Elkton), a defending champion (Pine Ridge), and a few other teams that have pulled some huge upsets to make the tournament field, in Dakota Valley and Tri-Valley. But in the A, I look for the top two seeds to meet in the final, but for Mobridge to win out in the consolation. Here's what I see:
1) Sisseton 2) Elkton-LB 3) Pine Ridge 4) Clark/WL 5) Mobridge-Pollock 6) Dakota Valley 7) Stickney/MV 8) Tri-Valley
And in Class AA, my only wish was that the Pierre Lady Govs were still in the tournament field. We have kind of grown used to seeing them there, but we'll have to adjust this weekend and watch some pretty good teams all try to knock Aberdeen Central off their top-ranked pedestal (good luck with that). The one thing that doesn't look right, though, is that only two ESD teams are in that tournament, but worse than that - ALL FOUR Sioux Falls schools are there. Well, before the Argus can predict the balance of power in GBB shifting to Sioux Falls, like it did in football, we'll give them their one year and then come back smoking next year - how's that sound? Here is the final finish for AA as I see it:
1) Aberdeen 2) SF Roosevelt 3) RC Central 4) SF Washington 5) Huron 6) SF O'Gorman 7) SF Lincoln 8) RC Stevens
Chances are, if they played the A & B tournaments out 5 teams, they could have five different champions, so let's keep in mind, these picks are for entertainment purposes only - unless I'm dead on, and I can ultimately pull the see-I-told-you-so card. Good luck to all, especially those from our neck of the woods, and we'll take a look at the boys tournaments next week.
-Radiooo
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Rod's Wednesday Take N Things
This is a tough time of the year for sports fans. So much going on you know. 3 state girls basketball tournaments beginning tomorrow. Next week are the 3 boys tournaments. College basketball tournmaments and of course "The Big Dance Baby" as Dickey V would shout out to us on the TV. Lost in the shuffle, hockey. The State varsity boys tournament begins Friday. Pierre-Ft. Pierre is the top seed and will face Aberdeen Friday at 7:30 p.m. in Brookings. The Capitals have won 13 straight but have not beaten Brookings this year and lost once to Rushmore (Rapid City). Don't forget the 2 semi final games at 5 and 7:30 on Saturday and championship game on Sunday at 3 will be on cable TV channel 23 in Pierre. I don't get cable at home so I may or may not see it. Some of it depends if Pierre is in it. Back to basketball, since I have mostly seen AA teams I will predict only that Aberdeen Central and Huron will be playing for the AA State championship both this Saturday in the girls and next week in the boys. Aberdeen Central will win the girls and Huron will win the boys. Now with that said, lets move on to college basketball where I will be watching for Pacific and Sam Willard. They play Friday night at 11 p.m. our time in their semi final game of the Big West Conference tournament. If they win that, 7 pm on Saturday night is the championship game on ESPNU (both nights) and I do get that at home. Sam has done Pierre proud and it has been so fun watching Sam from his days when he played on a team I coached in Little League Baseball to a lanky tall kids that played junior high basketball to a much fuller, big, strong kid that helped Michael Tveidt and my son and the others to the championship game of the 06 state tournament. Leading rebounder in Governor history or at least since records have been kept. Makes me look ahead already and after interviewing coach Becker for a final time (he thinks) this year I came back to the radio station pumped. Zach Hanson and Lane Severyn are going to be playing alot of summer basketball with the Dakota Schoolers. Josh Monroy, our 7'2 guy, is also going to play AAU ball this summer. And a couple of our younger up and coming guys like Matt Monfore and Conrad Adam who had very nice freshman seasons are also going to be playing summer ball for summer teams. The other guys will be putting their time in as well, while also doing things like being very good baseball players in our Legion program. We really ask alot of our kids and their playing athletics. It takes a special kind of young man and woman to excel on the athletic playing field in this day and age. It takes special kinds of parents to be supportive and letting their young ones do something that they love and want to be good at. Mom and Dad, you should pat yourself on the back and of course, don't yell at your kid on the court or field. Hollering is ok, but yelling gets to be a not good thing and there is a difference. And then hollering needs to be done in moderation.
Twins fans are all of sudden not quite as sure of their success on the field this year after hearing the news of Joe Nathan, but you never know. He might overcome the elbow problem and be an even better pitcher than before. If he does, that is Hall of Fame stuff. LaDanien Tomlinson is visiting the Vikings and that might be a good thing for the Vikes if he plays for them. I still like the off season the Bears have had. They actually appear to be addressing problems they have. A novel concept Mr. Angelo. Hope it works cause if it doesn't, can you say unemployed!! So Go Bears, Go Jacks, Go Huskers, and I hope the Jacks don't get put in the Huskers region in the women's NCAA. I bleed Husker red which Jackrabbit fans will find out next September when they take on Bo Pelini's guys in Lincoln. Go Govs and Go (insert your favorite high school team here). Which also reminds me that you are always whatever your high school mascot was. Steph Paluch and Katie Lingle will always be Lady Govs, then Jacks. Willard will always be a Gov before a Tiger. Tveidt, a Gov before a Bison. Michael Fisher, well when it comes to baseball, Post 8 before a Dragon. But he will always be a Gov. Me, I'm a Eagle. Johnson-Brock Eagles, Class of 73. But always a Husker. I'm done now.
Twins fans are all of sudden not quite as sure of their success on the field this year after hearing the news of Joe Nathan, but you never know. He might overcome the elbow problem and be an even better pitcher than before. If he does, that is Hall of Fame stuff. LaDanien Tomlinson is visiting the Vikings and that might be a good thing for the Vikes if he plays for them. I still like the off season the Bears have had. They actually appear to be addressing problems they have. A novel concept Mr. Angelo. Hope it works cause if it doesn't, can you say unemployed!! So Go Bears, Go Jacks, Go Huskers, and I hope the Jacks don't get put in the Huskers region in the women's NCAA. I bleed Husker red which Jackrabbit fans will find out next September when they take on Bo Pelini's guys in Lincoln. Go Govs and Go (insert your favorite high school team here). Which also reminds me that you are always whatever your high school mascot was. Steph Paluch and Katie Lingle will always be Lady Govs, then Jacks. Willard will always be a Gov before a Tiger. Tveidt, a Gov before a Bison. Michael Fisher, well when it comes to baseball, Post 8 before a Dragon. But he will always be a Gov. Me, I'm a Eagle. Johnson-Brock Eagles, Class of 73. But always a Husker. I'm done now.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Rod's Tuesday Take N Things
A long time teacher and coach at Riggs High School will be retiring after this school year. Jon Gonsor has been in Pierre for a number of years, first at the middle school and then at Riggs. Jon has been an assistant football coach for the Governors for most if not all of that time span coaching at the freshman and sophomore level. A number of students and players have gone through his classroom and most of them that I know, from the athletic standpoint anyway will have more good things to say about John than the other. He worked hard and was a dedicated assistant coach and the program will miss his expertise. And Stanley County Athletic Director Scott Vandenhemel submitted his resignation last night after 1 year on the job. I haven't visited with Scott but I am sure he would tell you that being a part time AD, cause he has another full time job, isn't easy in this day and age. Even at a school the size of Stanley County, the rigors and demands in this day and age of being an Athletic Director, is time consuming and very demanding. We wish him well.
And just looking out the window and have read weather forcast a couple of times this morning, I don't think there will be much outdoor work for any of the spring sports athletes getting ready for the upcoming season, although track and field distance athletes are a pretty hardy bunch and run in most anything. I hope to find out later today if we have any former track and field athletes from around here earn at large berths to the NCAA Indoor Track and Field championships. Good luck to Steph Paluch and Katie Lingle and their SDSU women's basketball teammates this afternoon as they play for the Summit League championship and a return trip to the NCAA tournament (KGFX at 3 p.m.) and Sam Willard and Pacific open up Big West Conference tournament play later this week. The Big West champions earns an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. Pacific is the 2nd seed in their tournament. Sam has had some big games as of late scoring in high double figures and coming off back to back doubles doubles in their last two games. He has hit the 20 point or more scored mark in his last two games and had double doubles with double digit points and rebounds as well. Sam was named a Big West Conference Honorable Mention yesterday by the Big West Conference, and is one of five Pacific Players who earned a spot on the All Conference teams and he was named the Big West Conference Player of the Week yesterday. Way to go Sammy!!!!!!!!
And just looking out the window and have read weather forcast a couple of times this morning, I don't think there will be much outdoor work for any of the spring sports athletes getting ready for the upcoming season, although track and field distance athletes are a pretty hardy bunch and run in most anything. I hope to find out later today if we have any former track and field athletes from around here earn at large berths to the NCAA Indoor Track and Field championships. Good luck to Steph Paluch and Katie Lingle and their SDSU women's basketball teammates this afternoon as they play for the Summit League championship and a return trip to the NCAA tournament (KGFX at 3 p.m.) and Sam Willard and Pacific open up Big West Conference tournament play later this week. The Big West champions earns an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. Pacific is the 2nd seed in their tournament. Sam has had some big games as of late scoring in high double figures and coming off back to back doubles doubles in their last two games. He has hit the 20 point or more scored mark in his last two games and had double doubles with double digit points and rebounds as well. Sam was named a Big West Conference Honorable Mention yesterday by the Big West Conference, and is one of five Pacific Players who earned a spot on the All Conference teams and he was named the Big West Conference Player of the Week yesterday. Way to go Sammy!!!!!!!!
Monday, March 8, 2010
Rod's Monday Take N Things
I was very proud of one 6'8 balding collegiate basketball player named Michael Tveidt last night. How he, as the leader on that team this year, took his NDSU Bison on his shoulders and almost single handedly brought them back from a 13 point deficit to take Oral Roberts to overtime before missing a shot at the buzzer in the OT and their season ends, 1 points short. We don't get cable TV at home, so I did not watch the game but I did listen to the NDSU broadcast on the internet. There announcers were amazed at what Micheal was doing. I wasn't. I have seen it before. From 7th grade when I was coaching my sons traveling team when Tvedit and Jon Christensen of Mitchell (remember him Gov fans) locked up in a back n forth at the Boys and Girls Club gym. My oldest son informs me early in the 4th that Tviedt has 30! Think he finished with 38 that game and we won, but two or 3. Christensen had 35 if I remember correctly. I saw it several times during high school, and perhaps the most memorable was the semi finals of the 06 state tournament. Pierre and Tveidt vs. Brandon Valley and Jack Van Luer. Tveidt made big play after big play and blocked a Van Luer shot that would have won it at the end. BV coach Brent Deckert went nuts thinking there was a foul. No, as I listened to the game, a thought back at how lucky I was to know a young man that when he was in 3rd grade informed me was going to quarterback the Nebraska Huskers and he was going to steal my autographed Husker team ball from 1994. He would just stare at it everytime he came over with my son Michael. I am not sure we still have all the nose prints off the glass of curio the ball is displayed in, (next to my Bo Pelini / Tom Osborne autographted ball). I told him at his high school graduation reception I hoped he remembered me when he was famous (and rich). He said he would, so maybe I will hold him to that now.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Rod's Sunday Take n Things
A harsh reality for Pierre Riggs High basketball. March Madness is over. The Uniforms are being handed in this year and the sights are set for next year. Lets take a look at the Lady Govs first. After a 3 year run with two championship game appearances during that time and a 3rd place game, Pierre started well but then came the holiday break and two losses to the Rapid City schools, the new year and the injury's to not 1 or 2, but all 3 returning seniors. Two lengthy losing streaks and the season over. Alot of freshman and an 8th grader get a full year of experience. But things won't be as easy next year as one would think. District 3AA will be difficult next year despite the fact that both Aberdeen Central and Huron lose alot of seniors, they both mixed in some good underclassman. Mitchell was all underclassman with the exception of 1. They now have a taste of what winning is like, something that eluded them for the last 6 years. One would hope that the Pierre girls will all go to the state tournament and while they are sitting there watching the games, they come to the conclusion that they would rather play than watch. It isn't all that much fun when your team isn't playing.
Now the boys. After a 2-20 record, it is probably one of the worst season records in history. Now the look ahead begins. All year I heard announcers and coaches from other cities and teams tell me how scary we are going to be in the future, beginning next year. That is good, it gives us as fans and the players something to look forward to and play for. Improvement is the word. I think of Kansas City Royals pitcher Zack Grienke. 3 years ago he was a 20 game loser. Last year, he was the American League Cy Young Award winner. Winning games heals wounds. Right now, the wound is deep. And next year, the Govs will still be young, but again with a year of experience. Terrell Walker, Travis Adney and Scott Cichos will be seniors and 3rd year varsity players/starters. And Josh Monroy, if he can stay healthy, showed at times this year, he can play at this level and be a contributer. Joey Tetzlaff and Connor Berg are the most notable juniors and Lane Severyn and Zach Hanson the most notable sophomores. 8 returning players with a ton of varsity experience. And there were several players at the freshman level and sophomore team level that could also play a hand in next season. And face it, Aberdeen Central played 8 seniors this year. Huron had mostly seniors, but a very good sophomore this year in Luke Carr coming back. And Mitchell, well, you never know for sure except that they will be there in the end. They alway are. What about students transferring in to other schools. Rumor....Tucker Volesky might return to Huron next year. And the point guard from Hitchcock-Tulare who is having a great year may transfer to Huron. Again, Rumor. The Mitchell rumor, a kid from North Carolina with size possibly coming. Again, Rumor. I have been around long enough to not dispel rumors especially when it comes to Mitchell and Huron. And in the conference next year, Watertown and Brookings look to be very difficult to beat as they were underclassman loaded this year. And in Brookings case, they haven't been to a state tournament since 1991 or 92. That is a real real long time. Bottom line, both girls and boys programs suffered from lack of numbers this year. The girls could not field freshman or sophomore teams because of lack of numbers. The boys had to cancel the sophomore team the last month of the season. Partly due to injuries, partly due to lack of numbers. So lack of numbers forces coaches to dip to the lower levels to fill out their rosters at the upper levels. Numbers may be a problem again for the girls, but hopefully the 8th graders this year that did not play freshman will continue to come out, play, improve, and when it is there time, play and qualify in the state tournament. On a yearly basis. It can happen. When is the last time Mitchell didn't play in the state tournament? I can answer that. 2002. Before that, 1982. The year Pierre won their last State boys basketball tournament championship.
Now the boys. After a 2-20 record, it is probably one of the worst season records in history. Now the look ahead begins. All year I heard announcers and coaches from other cities and teams tell me how scary we are going to be in the future, beginning next year. That is good, it gives us as fans and the players something to look forward to and play for. Improvement is the word. I think of Kansas City Royals pitcher Zack Grienke. 3 years ago he was a 20 game loser. Last year, he was the American League Cy Young Award winner. Winning games heals wounds. Right now, the wound is deep. And next year, the Govs will still be young, but again with a year of experience. Terrell Walker, Travis Adney and Scott Cichos will be seniors and 3rd year varsity players/starters. And Josh Monroy, if he can stay healthy, showed at times this year, he can play at this level and be a contributer. Joey Tetzlaff and Connor Berg are the most notable juniors and Lane Severyn and Zach Hanson the most notable sophomores. 8 returning players with a ton of varsity experience. And there were several players at the freshman level and sophomore team level that could also play a hand in next season. And face it, Aberdeen Central played 8 seniors this year. Huron had mostly seniors, but a very good sophomore this year in Luke Carr coming back. And Mitchell, well, you never know for sure except that they will be there in the end. They alway are. What about students transferring in to other schools. Rumor....Tucker Volesky might return to Huron next year. And the point guard from Hitchcock-Tulare who is having a great year may transfer to Huron. Again, Rumor. The Mitchell rumor, a kid from North Carolina with size possibly coming. Again, Rumor. I have been around long enough to not dispel rumors especially when it comes to Mitchell and Huron. And in the conference next year, Watertown and Brookings look to be very difficult to beat as they were underclassman loaded this year. And in Brookings case, they haven't been to a state tournament since 1991 or 92. That is a real real long time. Bottom line, both girls and boys programs suffered from lack of numbers this year. The girls could not field freshman or sophomore teams because of lack of numbers. The boys had to cancel the sophomore team the last month of the season. Partly due to injuries, partly due to lack of numbers. So lack of numbers forces coaches to dip to the lower levels to fill out their rosters at the upper levels. Numbers may be a problem again for the girls, but hopefully the 8th graders this year that did not play freshman will continue to come out, play, improve, and when it is there time, play and qualify in the state tournament. On a yearly basis. It can happen. When is the last time Mitchell didn't play in the state tournament? I can answer that. 2002. Before that, 1982. The year Pierre won their last State boys basketball tournament championship.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Rod's Tuesday Take N Things
Is there anything more fun than March Madness and district tournament basketball. Unfortunatly you play a bad game and you season is done. I really feel that after 30 years of watching South Dakota high school basketball, it is tougher in the big school ranks to win. Why? Because everybody knows what everybody is doing. You play teams twice in the regular season. Face it, coaches cannot change things up that much so it comes down to a game of execution. If you do, you probably win. You don't you don't. And there are no weak teams in AA. OK you say, Pierre is 2 and 18! Ok, ask Huron coach Tim Buddenhagen about Pierre being weak. The conversation will be a short one. It's tough to beat a team 3 times is the old saying. I have been around the block a time or two. Over the year's teams have beaten teams 3 times. That is why tonight's game is really a toss up. Pierre should have could have would have won both games against Huron this season. They didn't. A lady asked me Saturday morning at the Legion baseball pancake breakfast, "Whats wrong with our team"? I said we are young but that doesn't hold water anymore because our freshman and sophmores and junors who didn't play alot in the past, have a year of expeirence under their belt now. I then said to her, we just make dumb mistakes at the most inopportune time. Then I thought, no, they don't make dumb decisions or mistakes. The mistakes are usually made because our guys are trying to make plays. If can make plays tonight, they will do ok for themselves.
By the way, speaking of pancakes and legion baseball, they are beginning indoor workouts today out at the PILc facility. The way the winter has gone, who isn't ready for a little baseball. I really hope the Govs make the state tournament because my wife and oldest son are going to Florida in two weeks to watch my youngest play for Minnesota State Moorhead and their annual week in Flordia where they will play 6 or 8 games over the 5 days. If we don't make the state tournament, I am stuck in town with nothing to do. I'd rather be telling people at the state tournament about our "Young Govs" and what we think we have going for us over the course of the next few years. That also includes our "Young Lady Govs". By the way don't forget their game at Mitchell against the Kernels is Thursday at 5:30 p.m. at the Corn Palace. Elimination of the season is on the line. By the way, it is Kernels, not Kernals. Geoff Gross, the Mitchell Athletic Director, has me straightned out on that. And by the way, there is no such thing as a "Lady Kernel". Just thought you might want to know.
By the way, speaking of pancakes and legion baseball, they are beginning indoor workouts today out at the PILc facility. The way the winter has gone, who isn't ready for a little baseball. I really hope the Govs make the state tournament because my wife and oldest son are going to Florida in two weeks to watch my youngest play for Minnesota State Moorhead and their annual week in Flordia where they will play 6 or 8 games over the 5 days. If we don't make the state tournament, I am stuck in town with nothing to do. I'd rather be telling people at the state tournament about our "Young Govs" and what we think we have going for us over the course of the next few years. That also includes our "Young Lady Govs". By the way don't forget their game at Mitchell against the Kernels is Thursday at 5:30 p.m. at the Corn Palace. Elimination of the season is on the line. By the way, it is Kernels, not Kernals. Geoff Gross, the Mitchell Athletic Director, has me straightned out on that. And by the way, there is no such thing as a "Lady Kernel". Just thought you might want to know.
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