Brian's Thursday Thmack Talk

Well, the fall sports season comes to an end this weekend with the State Volleyball Tournaments, and although we don't have a lot of teams to cheer for in our neck of the woods, I do think that we have two bona fide sleepers that could really make some noise in their respective tournaments. First of all, in Class B, where Highmore-Harrold goes in as the #6 seed for the second straight year. They finished 6th in VB last year, but remember when these girls rose to my personal challenge in the State BB tournament? I wonder, if I were to pick the Lady Pirates to finish 8th in this tournament, would they rise to the challenge and overachieve again? :o) Obviously, with Warner in the field, the Monarchs are the next best thing to a foregone conclusion - they've actually only lost 3 sets all season, 2 to district arch-rival Northwestern - although they will still have to earn their championship. I do think, though, that the second best team in the field will be the #3 seed and H-H's first-round opponent, Arlington. But who knows? Highmore is on quite a winning streak, and I expect them to play some of their best ball of the season this weekend. Be sure to follow Highmore-Harrold with Darren on 94 Country this weekend!

In Class A, Mobridge-Pollock goes into the tournament as the #7 seed for the second straight year. Not much is usually expected from a team seeded that low, but let's not forget the Tigers pulled the first-round upset over #2 SF Christian last year, and I think their chances are pretty good of duplicating the feat against Elk Point-Jefferson in Thursday's final match. I will have the pleasure of following the Lady Tigers on Star99, and for the sake of a little horn-tootin', I will also have an opportunity to announce all State A matches over the Public Broadcasting webcast on sports.sdpb.org, so I'm looking forward to that. Here's hoping the girls can feed off of the excitement that the boys gave us on the gridiron a week ago, despite the heartbreak (congrats on a great season nonetheless, guys - you made a lot of folks proud around here!!!).

Folks, if you still are among the many who haven't gotten into volleyball yet, please pay attention this weekend. I promise, you will be on the edge of your seat more often than not.

A couple of other quick notes:
** From the files of "It's About Time" -- Ron Gardenhire is the 2010 American League Manager of the Year. Five times he's come in second in that voting, but he won easily this time, and very rightfully so, with all the injuries that the Twins had to endure this season. From a 44-40 record at the All Star Break to a 49-17 record after the Break (before losing 11 of their last 12 or something like that). The man tends to make all the right decisions just about all the time. Now, if only he can make just a couple more to get that team to go deeper into the postseason in 2011.....

** And finally, oh, what I wouldn't give to be in West Lafayette, Indiana, Thursday night, when Purdue hosts SDSU in women's basketball. OUR three girls - Katie Lingle, Steph Paluch, and Sam Ostarello - all together in one game, all of whom many of us watched for four years of varsity ball, growing up right before our eyes. Now I know how Archie Manning feels. And for me personally, among the 3 of these young ladies -- I don't care who you are, that's an awful lot of KGFX Player of the Game t-shirts right there!! Talk about making us all proud......

Have a great weekend, and good luck again to the Pirates and Tigers!!