Pittsburgh said goodbye today to arguably its greatest wide receiver ever - Hines Ward.
I remember the first time I saw Ward play. It wasn't as a Steeler but as a member of the Georgia Bulldogs in the 1995 Peach Bowl. As a sophomore wide receiver/running back, he stepped in at quarterback and set numerous records. He completed 31-of-59 passes for 413 yards (469 total yards) in Georgia's 34-27 loss to Virginia. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4a8o1h0XgM
I didn't know it then but Ward would someday wear the Steelers colors and become one of my favorite players in the NFL - ever.
When he was drafted by Pittsburgh in the third round of the 1998 NFL Draft, I remember thinking, "just another special teams guy, who might be a little like Slash (Kordell Stewart), a guy who could catch, run a bit and maybe throw an occasional ball." To become the greatest receiver in Steelers' history - no way.
Boy, I was wrong. He did all those football things and much more.
Ward became one of the faces of the Steelers' franchise, a team guy that would do anything to help Pittsburgh win.
Hard-nosed to the core, he always seemed to make a big play. Plus, he liked to mix it up - especially with the hated (Baltimore) Ravens - with that trademark grin. Many Steelers' fans remember fondly when he put Ed Reed on the ground with a monster hit. He did it time and again vs. the hated Ravens, who at one point put out a "bounty" or so said Baltimore defensive end Terrell Suggs. I believe Ward's passion, hits, and big grin increased the intensity of that rivalry.
I think that is why so many Steelers are a little heart-broken today that Ward is being cut and choosing not to retire. Ward should never wear another team's jersey but he will.
Ward, a native of Seoul, South Korea, accumulated 1,000 catches, 12,083 yards and had 29 career 100-yard receiving games with 85 career TDs during his career in Pittsburgh.
A four-time All-Pro, Ward led Pittsburgh to three Super Bowls, winning twice in 2005 (Seattle) and 2008 (Arizona) before falling short in 2010 (Green Bay).
The 2005 Super Bowl MVP, Ward will always epitomize, at least to me, what football is about. A receiver with glue-like hands, Ward is as tough as nails, focused and a guy with a lot of guts and pride. He was never afraid to mix it up. Some call him the greatest blocking receiver in league history.
Every time Ward delivered a hit, and, yes some were borderline cheap shots; or when he made one of his patented possession-extending third down plays, he would get up with that trademark grin. Even when he was smoked on a play, he always seemed to pop right back up, regardless of the pain he was feeling.
He played for his teammates, the Steelers organization and the fans. The crazies waving "Terrible Towels" loved the guy. He was the Steeler that carried the torch for the Steel City.
I have many memories of Ward but the lasting one is the gadget play TD in the Steelers' 21-10 Super Bowl win over Seattle in 2005 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srcqADaO8og.
Ward, who once had a 186-game streak with a pass reception (ended in 2010), hauled in a 43-yard TD reception from wide receiver Antwaan Randel El.
As he danced into end zone with the game-breaking TD, Ward, who had 123 yards receiving that day, sent the entire Steeler nation into a frenzy. After that play, I did a little dance myself in the Sioux City bar where I was watching the game with my brother Jeff (to the chagrin of the patrons of the establishment).
I, like other Steeler fans, always respected how Hines showed up in big moments as indicated by his 76 receptions, 1,064 yards, and eight receiving touchdowns in 14 playoff games. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=juiQirw06js&feature=related
Ward, also admired for among other things - his philanthropic ways and a little bit for his "Dancing with the Stars" win with Kym Johnson in 2012 - will play on.
Yes, I think he should retire.
For me, Ward was a class guy and a true leader. Even when he had a little trouble because of a DWI, he apologized immediately and did not run from that situation. He admitted how wrong he was for getting into a vehicle and driving after having a few drinks. We need more players that accept responsiblity.
To me, Ward needs to be one of those guys that wears one team's colors - Pittsburgh - to the end, including that day in the future when he is enshrined in the NFL Hall of Fame.
No way should Ward ever wear another team's jersey.
I hope that Pittsburgh doesn't assign his number to some rookie or free agent signee at least for a year. It will be hard enough watching the Steelers games next season, minus the franchise's greatest-ever wide out.
I just have one request of Hines Ward as he moves forward, please don't ever put on a Ravens jersey. It just wouldn't be right.
We will miss you #86. Good luck.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Monday, February 27, 2012
Coyote Women Go for 21st Win Tonight; Plus A Little USD This and That
The USD women's basketball team (20-7, 11-6, 3rd, Summit League) has a lot at stake when they take on on IPFW tonight (7 pm) at the DakotaDome.
While USD is ineligible to participate in the upcoming Summit League Tournament and a shot at the NCAA Tournament, the Coyotes will try clinch third place in the league. USD wraps up conference play tonight as they seek their 21st win, which would be the most victories for USD in the DI transition. It would also represent the most wins since the 2007-08 campaign when they advanced to the NCAA DII title game in a 33-2 season.
It is also vital that USD continues to win in order to build a resume for a possible WNIT bid. The NCAA's RPI ranking released today placed USD 90th, up 10 spots from last week. USD, which owns a win over Summit League champion SDSU (#60 on the RPI rankings) and Idaho State (#74 in RPI), is ahead of Oral Roberts at 103. ORU is second in the Summit. The Coyotes defeated Idaho State, 66-54, in Pocatello, Idaho, earlier this season. They also upended SDSU, 59-53 in OT at the DakotaDome. SDSU owns a 59-51 decision over the Coyotes at Frost Arena. USD and Oral Roberts split this season, each winning on the other team's home floor.
If the Coyotes do not earn a WNIT bid, they appear to have the resume for the other postseason tourney, the Women's Basketball Invitational, which they went 1-1 a year ago, including a home victory over Idaho.
Coach Ryun William's Coyotes, projected seventh in the preseason Summit League poll, has won 20 games for the second straight season and the ninth time in school history. The Coyotes own winning seasons in 11 of the past 12 years.
For Stat Wonks: Here is a combined look at double-digit totals in points and rebounds for the Coyotes. For this season, USD has had a combined 68 double figure scorers (Amber Hegge, 24), 20 double-digit rebounders (Hegge, 11, Boss 9), and 14 double doubles (Hegge, 9). Combining the career double-digit point totals of all current Coyotes, the total is 211. In addition, individual player career totals shows a combined 47 double digit rebound totals and 37 double doubles. Amber Hegge has 23 career double doubles and Jodie Boss, 12. In terms of career double-digits point totals, Hegge has 77, Boss, 23; and Annie Roche, 55.
Boss Leads Block Party: One could say USD has held a block party during the 2011-12 season. Through 27 games, USD has set a school record with 199 blocked shots with its average of 7.7 per game second nationally behind Baylor and Brittany Griner. The old mark was set a year ago when the U had 180 in 32 games.
Jodie Boss has been at the center of this block shot party. For the second straight year, she has set a season mark for blocked shots with 113 and games to play. Boss, who has a blocked shot in 45 straight games, had 106 a year ago. Her career mark of 219 is also a school mark by substantial proportions. Boss, who has 381 career blocks (168 at Wayne State), owns the USD game mark with nine blocks. In her career, Boss has 11 games of seven or more blocks (eight at USD) and three games of nine or more blocks (one at USD). She also has had 48 games with four or more blocks, 33 of five or more and 22 with six or more. How about this? Together, Boss (113) and Hegge (60) have 173 blocked shots or just seven from the previous record.
Track Teams Continue to Excel Regardless of League -- After the USD Women's Track and Field claimed a 2nd place finish in the school's first-ever Summit League Indoor Track and Field competition, a little digging showed that the Coyotes have finished first or second in nine of the past 10 years in three different Track and Field indoor conference meets. Here is the breakdown -- Summit League, 2nd, 2011-12; Great West, 1st, 2010-11; Great West, 1st, 2009-10; Great West, 1st, 2008-09; NCC, 1st, 2007-08; NCC, 4th, 2006-07; NCC, 1st, 2005-06; NCC, 1st, 2004-05; NCC, 2nd, 2003-04; and NCC, 2nd, 2002-03. So, it appears that the preseason Summit League indoor projection of fifth for the Coyote women's Track and Field team was a tad off mark. Ditto for the Coyote men, which was projected sixth. The Coyote Men's Track and Field team finished fourth at the Summit League Indoor Championships. Over the past 10 years, they have finished 1st or 2nd, eight times in three different leagues. Here is the men's totals: Summit League, 4th, 2011-12; Great West, 1st, 2010-11; GWC, 1st, 2009-10; GWC, 1st, 2008-09; NCC, 2nd, 2007-08; NCC, 1st, 2006-07; NCC, 2nd, 2005-06; NCC, 1st, 2004-05; NCC, 3rd, 2003-04; and NCC, 2nd, 2002-03.
Coyote Guard Magic to the end -- Louie Krogman and Josh Mueller will go down in South Dakota history as two of the best guards to play at the prep and collegiate levels. Mueller starred at West Central and led his team to state Class A titles in 2000 and 2001, finishing with 2,563 points. Krogman led White River to a Class B crown in 2008, ending his career with 3,521 points (1st all-time). Both became Coyotes with Mueller produc...ing 1,991 points (2nd all-time) 801 assists (1st-all-time) and 307 3's (1st all-time) while Louie K. had 1,644 points (6th all-time) and 292 3's (2nd all-time). Unfortunatley both ended their careers with losses. However, they both made the final shot of their USD careers - fittingly three point shots. Louie, who had 17 points and five 3's (11 attempts), hit a three with 26 seconds left in an 84-77 loss to Oakland at the DakotaDome Saturday. Mueller hit a three with four seconds left in an 89-84 loss to Metro State in the DII Regional Final in 2005 in Denver. In that final game, Mueller had 27 points and seven 3's (11 attempts). Interestingly, both tossed up 11 three's in their final USD appearance.
Westbrook/Krogman Combine for 136 Career Double Figure Games: The senior guard tandem of Charlie Westbrook and Louie Krogman ended their Coyote careers with a combined 137 double-figure games, six games of 30 or more points (three each) and 45 games of 20 points or more. Together, they have led the team in scoring 54 times. After 21 points Saturday against Oakland, Westbrook surpassed 1,000 points (1,009), becoming the first two-year player in school history to reach that mark. He finished with 48 double-figure games with 21, 20 point games. Krogman had 89 double-digit scoring games, 24 games of 20 or more points, including six of his last seven in a Coyote uniform.
Krogman is "Iron Man" for Coyotes -- Krogman, who was an "iron man" for USD this season. He played all 40 minutes in the final eight games of this season and his career. For the season, he is the only Coyote to play over 1,000 minutes (1,008), averaging over 36 minutes a game. Westbrook is next at 32.4 minutes per game.
While USD is ineligible to participate in the upcoming Summit League Tournament and a shot at the NCAA Tournament, the Coyotes will try clinch third place in the league. USD wraps up conference play tonight as they seek their 21st win, which would be the most victories for USD in the DI transition. It would also represent the most wins since the 2007-08 campaign when they advanced to the NCAA DII title game in a 33-2 season.
It is also vital that USD continues to win in order to build a resume for a possible WNIT bid. The NCAA's RPI ranking released today placed USD 90th, up 10 spots from last week. USD, which owns a win over Summit League champion SDSU (#60 on the RPI rankings) and Idaho State (#74 in RPI), is ahead of Oral Roberts at 103. ORU is second in the Summit. The Coyotes defeated Idaho State, 66-54, in Pocatello, Idaho, earlier this season. They also upended SDSU, 59-53 in OT at the DakotaDome. SDSU owns a 59-51 decision over the Coyotes at Frost Arena. USD and Oral Roberts split this season, each winning on the other team's home floor.
If the Coyotes do not earn a WNIT bid, they appear to have the resume for the other postseason tourney, the Women's Basketball Invitational, which they went 1-1 a year ago, including a home victory over Idaho.
Coach Ryun William's Coyotes, projected seventh in the preseason Summit League poll, has won 20 games for the second straight season and the ninth time in school history. The Coyotes own winning seasons in 11 of the past 12 years.
For Stat Wonks: Here is a combined look at double-digit totals in points and rebounds for the Coyotes. For this season, USD has had a combined 68 double figure scorers (Amber Hegge, 24), 20 double-digit rebounders (Hegge, 11, Boss 9), and 14 double doubles (Hegge, 9). Combining the career double-digit point totals of all current Coyotes, the total is 211. In addition, individual player career totals shows a combined 47 double digit rebound totals and 37 double doubles. Amber Hegge has 23 career double doubles and Jodie Boss, 12. In terms of career double-digits point totals, Hegge has 77, Boss, 23; and Annie Roche, 55.
Boss Leads Block Party: One could say USD has held a block party during the 2011-12 season. Through 27 games, USD has set a school record with 199 blocked shots with its average of 7.7 per game second nationally behind Baylor and Brittany Griner. The old mark was set a year ago when the U had 180 in 32 games.
Jodie Boss has been at the center of this block shot party. For the second straight year, she has set a season mark for blocked shots with 113 and games to play. Boss, who has a blocked shot in 45 straight games, had 106 a year ago. Her career mark of 219 is also a school mark by substantial proportions. Boss, who has 381 career blocks (168 at Wayne State), owns the USD game mark with nine blocks. In her career, Boss has 11 games of seven or more blocks (eight at USD) and three games of nine or more blocks (one at USD). She also has had 48 games with four or more blocks, 33 of five or more and 22 with six or more. How about this? Together, Boss (113) and Hegge (60) have 173 blocked shots or just seven from the previous record.
Track Teams Continue to Excel Regardless of League -- After the USD Women's Track and Field claimed a 2nd place finish in the school's first-ever Summit League Indoor Track and Field competition, a little digging showed that the Coyotes have finished first or second in nine of the past 10 years in three different Track and Field indoor conference meets. Here is the breakdown -- Summit League, 2nd, 2011-12; Great West, 1st, 2010-11; Great West, 1st, 2009-10; Great West, 1st, 2008-09; NCC, 1st, 2007-08; NCC, 4th, 2006-07; NCC, 1st, 2005-06; NCC, 1st, 2004-05; NCC, 2nd, 2003-04; and NCC, 2nd, 2002-03. So, it appears that the preseason Summit League indoor projection of fifth for the Coyote women's Track and Field team was a tad off mark. Ditto for the Coyote men, which was projected sixth. The Coyote Men's Track and Field team finished fourth at the Summit League Indoor Championships. Over the past 10 years, they have finished 1st or 2nd, eight times in three different leagues. Here is the men's totals: Summit League, 4th, 2011-12; Great West, 1st, 2010-11; GWC, 1st, 2009-10; GWC, 1st, 2008-09; NCC, 2nd, 2007-08; NCC, 1st, 2006-07; NCC, 2nd, 2005-06; NCC, 1st, 2004-05; NCC, 3rd, 2003-04; and NCC, 2nd, 2002-03.
Coyote Guard Magic to the end -- Louie Krogman and Josh Mueller will go down in South Dakota history as two of the best guards to play at the prep and collegiate levels. Mueller starred at West Central and led his team to state Class A titles in 2000 and 2001, finishing with 2,563 points. Krogman led White River to a Class B crown in 2008, ending his career with 3,521 points (1st all-time). Both became Coyotes with Mueller produc...ing 1,991 points (2nd all-time) 801 assists (1st-all-time) and 307 3's (1st all-time) while Louie K. had 1,644 points (6th all-time) and 292 3's (2nd all-time). Unfortunatley both ended their careers with losses. However, they both made the final shot of their USD careers - fittingly three point shots. Louie, who had 17 points and five 3's (11 attempts), hit a three with 26 seconds left in an 84-77 loss to Oakland at the DakotaDome Saturday. Mueller hit a three with four seconds left in an 89-84 loss to Metro State in the DII Regional Final in 2005 in Denver. In that final game, Mueller had 27 points and seven 3's (11 attempts). Interestingly, both tossed up 11 three's in their final USD appearance.
Westbrook/Krogman Combine for 136 Career Double Figure Games: The senior guard tandem of Charlie Westbrook and Louie Krogman ended their Coyote careers with a combined 137 double-figure games, six games of 30 or more points (three each) and 45 games of 20 points or more. Together, they have led the team in scoring 54 times. After 21 points Saturday against Oakland, Westbrook surpassed 1,000 points (1,009), becoming the first two-year player in school history to reach that mark. He finished with 48 double-figure games with 21, 20 point games. Krogman had 89 double-digit scoring games, 24 games of 20 or more points, including six of his last seven in a Coyote uniform.
Krogman is "Iron Man" for Coyotes -- Krogman, who was an "iron man" for USD this season. He played all 40 minutes in the final eight games of this season and his career. For the season, he is the only Coyote to play over 1,000 minutes (1,008), averaging over 36 minutes a game. Westbrook is next at 32.4 minutes per game.
Friday, February 24, 2012
Louie Krogman to Wrap Up Stellar Career for Coyotes; Plus More Coyote Notes
Sometimes, it is easy to get wrapped up in wins and losses,
and forget about the student-athletes that even in tough times, have
their head in the right place.
One such athlete is Louie Krogman of The University of South Dakota men's basketball team. On Saturday night against Oakland at the DakotaDome, he will wrap up his career as a one of the best to put on a Coyote uniform.
Even during a 10-17 (5-12 in the Summit League) season that has produced USD's first losing season in men's basketball in 24 seasons, Krogman has exhibited leadership for a young Coyote team, which graduates just three seniors (Krogman, Charlie Westbrook and Rico Andreotti).
As he culminates his career, the senior guard stands sixth all-time in scoring with 1,627 points and his 287 three-point field goals ranks third on the career charts. A starter for 101 games, he is one of two players in school history with 1,600 points and over 280 3-pointers (Josh Mueller, 1,991 points, 307 3's).
Rewind to USD's heartbreaking loss to North Dakota in the finals of the Great West Conference Tournament at the end of the 2010-11 season. In that game he had made a three from the corner, that hung onto the rim and fell through to force a second overtime. A little while later, UND's Josh Schuler hit a three for the win in the final seconds for a 77-76 win.
Krogman felt a bit of loss in the heart-breaking encounter, but he moved on. It is just a game.
"It is what makes this a great game," said
Krogman. "Sometimes they (shots) go in and sometimes they don't. You just have to
stay after it and just focus on winning."
As a high school senior, Krogman scored 112 points with 20 rebounds and 11 assists as White River won the 2008 Class B championship. In the title game win over Langford (66-50), he scored 45 points with seven rebounds. During the course of his prep career, the 2008 Mr. Basketball in South Dakota scored a record 328 points at state tourneys.
As a Coyote, he has led the team to a 70-57 record, playing a pivotal role in the 2009-10 campaign when USD was the Great West Conference regular and postseason tournament champions. As a result, he helped USD earn its first ever Division I postseason appearance (CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament; 89-78 loss to Creighton). He was also on the floor for head coach Dave Boots' 600 career-win.
Krogman has always been true to the Coyote program, since deciding on USD early in his senior year.
“I have a lot of respect for Louie,” said Boots, who is USD’s all-time wins leader with a 493-214 mark in 24 seasons. “He came into this situation knowing we would be in that transition all the way through his career. He was going to play under that situation. He didn’t hesitate,” said Boots.
Krogman has always believed USD was the right fit for him.
For Boots, that says a lot about Krogman.
During his sophomore season, he had various injury issues and accepted a role as USD's first player off the bench. He was the GWC Sixth Man of the Year, after scoring 9.8 points with 2.0 assists and 2.2 rebounds each game for the 22-10 Coyotes. That was the Coyote team that won the GWC regular season and tournament titles.
A year ago, Krogman earned second team All-GWC honors after averaging 14.0 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists in an 18-15 season which included an upset of the top seed in the tournament and the heart-breaking overtime loss in the finals.
“All through his career he has been such an easy kid to coach. He never questions anything we ask him to do and believes in our coaches just as we all believe in him,” said Boots."
As he wraps up his career, Krogman knows his Coyotes will not finish in last place, where many had them pegged to finish.
In this career finale, Krogman will be focused on one final winning effort.
It might be a little like his high school final when White River won a title before a statewide audience. Minus the championship, he will try to make his Coyote farewell memorable by leading USD to his 1,200th win all-time, albeit before a statewide televised audience on Midco.
And, that final act seems right for which Krogman to star.
Coyote Guard Tandem Leaving Mark --Together, Coyote senior men's basketball guards Charlie Westbrook and Louie Krogman have a combined 135 double-figure games, six games of 30 or more points (three each) and 44 games of 20 points or better. Between them they have led the team in scoring 53 times. Over the last six games, the pair has scored more than 20 points a combined 10 times (Krogman, 6; Westbrook, 4). In four of those games, both Westbrook and Krogman have scored 20 points. Also each of the two guards have tied or set a career-high in points with Krogman scoring 37 and Westbrook, 35. They have made a combined 40-of-85 from long distance, or a warm .471 percent. The two seniors have a combined 957 points (Westbrook, 503; Krogman, 454) and with big efforts vs. Oakland might reach 1,000.
Westbrook Close to 1K -- As Westbrook, who leads the team at 18.6 ppg., wraps up his career Saturday, he needs just 12 points to hit 1,000 for his career. Coming off a career-best 35 points, Westbrook will look to add to his 47 double-digit scoring games in his two seasons in Vermillion. He has scored 20 points or more on 20 occasions and led USD in scoring 24 times. He has broken the 30-point mark three times.
One such athlete is Louie Krogman of The University of South Dakota men's basketball team. On Saturday night against Oakland at the DakotaDome, he will wrap up his career as a one of the best to put on a Coyote uniform.
Even during a 10-17 (5-12 in the Summit League) season that has produced USD's first losing season in men's basketball in 24 seasons, Krogman has exhibited leadership for a young Coyote team, which graduates just three seniors (Krogman, Charlie Westbrook and Rico Andreotti).
As he culminates his career, the senior guard stands sixth all-time in scoring with 1,627 points and his 287 three-point field goals ranks third on the career charts. A starter for 101 games, he is one of two players in school history with 1,600 points and over 280 3-pointers (Josh Mueller, 1,991 points, 307 3's).
Rewind to USD's heartbreaking loss to North Dakota in the finals of the Great West Conference Tournament at the end of the 2010-11 season. In that game he had made a three from the corner, that hung onto the rim and fell through to force a second overtime. A little while later, UND's Josh Schuler hit a three for the win in the final seconds for a 77-76 win.
Krogman felt a bit of loss in the heart-breaking encounter, but he moved on. It is just a game.
A history major, Krogman will forever be entrenched in Coyote basketball lore with his shot-making, leadership and class. He has handled academics smoothly even as the demanding schedule pulls him away from class. He knows it is the player's responsibility to meet the obligations required of student-athletes.
"It is important to be organized and know you have the responsibility to get things done," said Krogman, who values his travel experiences and being a teammate of a group of guys that have a close bond of friendship.
He will take with him numerous memorable moments at the U, such as when he tied a school record with 10 three point field goals on his way to 37 points in a 96-87 win over Houston Baptist last March 5 in Houston.
"It is important to be organized and know you have the responsibility to get things done," said Krogman, who values his travel experiences and being a teammate of a group of guys that have a close bond of friendship.
He will take with him numerous memorable moments at the U, such as when he tied a school record with 10 three point field goals on his way to 37 points in a 96-87 win over Houston Baptist last March 5 in Houston.
Of course, the senior will cherish USD's 72-68 win over arch-rival SDSU at the DakotaDome when he had 22 points, including five three-pointers just a couple of weeks ago.
The Coyotes, which lost by 30 points earlier in the season at Frost Arena, were a huge underdog, yet beat the Summit League's second-best team. On that night before more than 5,100 in attendance at the Dome, Krogman and his mates stepped up and delivered a message that they were a team that could make things happen, regardless of record and especially at home. In the friendly confines of the DakotaDome, USD has had a 300-54 mark during the Dave Boots era.
Another moment to remember is the recent ESPN Bracketbusters game at the DakotaDome where Krogman tied a career-best with 37 points and nearly rallied the Coyotes to a win, when a loss seemed certain.
Down 12 with four minutes left, he led USD back to a 92-91 lead on a wheeling, rolling layup plus a free throw after being fouled with 16 seconds on the clock. However, Texas State converted two free throws at the other end and Krogman's desperation three hit the front of the rim, bounding away.
After the game, Krogman said he had a good look and thought the shot was true.
The Coyotes, which lost by 30 points earlier in the season at Frost Arena, were a huge underdog, yet beat the Summit League's second-best team. On that night before more than 5,100 in attendance at the Dome, Krogman and his mates stepped up and delivered a message that they were a team that could make things happen, regardless of record and especially at home. In the friendly confines of the DakotaDome, USD has had a 300-54 mark during the Dave Boots era.
Another moment to remember is the recent ESPN Bracketbusters game at the DakotaDome where Krogman tied a career-best with 37 points and nearly rallied the Coyotes to a win, when a loss seemed certain.
Down 12 with four minutes left, he led USD back to a 92-91 lead on a wheeling, rolling layup plus a free throw after being fouled with 16 seconds on the clock. However, Texas State converted two free throws at the other end and Krogman's desperation three hit the front of the rim, bounding away.
After the game, Krogman said he had a good look and thought the shot was true.
As he takes the floor at Oakland tomorrow, Krogman
goes in with a bit of confidence. He has had six straight 20 or more point outings and 19 points or better in seven straight contests. During this seven-game run, he has totaled 169 points (19, 23, 22, 24, 24, 37, 20). The senior has knocked down four or more threes in three straight contests. He has had three or more three-pointers in seven straight games, dating back to a 97-64 loss on the road at league champion Oral Roberts.
Through it all (3-4 record), he has been an "iron man," playing all 40 minutes in each of the last seven games. During those games, he is 59 of 115 (.513 pct.) from the field, including 30-of-64 (.468 pct.) from three-point range, and 19-of-27 (.703 pct.) from the foul line. He has also dished out 29 assists or over four a game.
Through it all (3-4 record), he has been an "iron man," playing all 40 minutes in each of the last seven games. During those games, he is 59 of 115 (.513 pct.) from the field, including 30-of-64 (.468 pct.) from three-point range, and 19-of-27 (.703 pct.) from the foul line. He has also dished out 29 assists or over four a game.
Krogman, who is averaging 16.8 ppg and leading the team in assists with 99 while committing just 52 turnovers, has compiled 88 double figure games in his career. He has led USD in
scoring 29 times, totaled 20 points or more 24 times, and twice scored a
career-high of 37 points, including once this season.
From the courts at White River to the DakotaDome, Krogman has been a constant producer. During his prep career, he was simply the most prolific scorer in state history with 3,521 points. As a high school senior, Krogman scored 112 points with 20 rebounds and 11 assists as White River won the 2008 Class B championship. In the title game win over Langford (66-50), he scored 45 points with seven rebounds. During the course of his prep career, the 2008 Mr. Basketball in South Dakota scored a record 328 points at state tourneys.
As a Coyote, he has led the team to a 70-57 record, playing a pivotal role in the 2009-10 campaign when USD was the Great West Conference regular and postseason tournament champions. As a result, he helped USD earn its first ever Division I postseason appearance (CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament; 89-78 loss to Creighton). He was also on the floor for head coach Dave Boots' 600 career-win.
Krogman has always been true to the Coyote program, since deciding on USD early in his senior year.
“I have a lot of respect for Louie,” said Boots, who is USD’s all-time wins leader with a 493-214 mark in 24 seasons. “He came into this situation knowing we would be in that transition all the way through his career. He was going to play under that situation. He didn’t hesitate,” said Boots.
Krogman has always believed USD was the right fit for him.
“It is where I wanted to be,” said Krogman,
who was Academic All-Great West a year ago. “Being in transition was part of
the reason for coming here,” said Krogman. “With the
transition, I knew we would travel a lot. I love to travel,” he said.
His choice of USD may have surprised some because one of
South Dakota’s most celebrated prep performers, wouldn't have the opportunity
to showcase his skills in an NCAA Tourney game.
For Boots, that says a lot about Krogman.
“A lot of guys might not do that and he did. I have a lot of
respect and admiration for that,” said Boots. “He made a real commitment to
playing in South Dakota – his home state. I think he has had a really good
career. This is a place he has wanted to be and we loved having him,” said
Boots.
As a true freshman, he was put into the starting line-up and churned out a respectable 12.8 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game in leading USD to a 20-9 record. During his sophomore season, he had various injury issues and accepted a role as USD's first player off the bench. He was the GWC Sixth Man of the Year, after scoring 9.8 points with 2.0 assists and 2.2 rebounds each game for the 22-10 Coyotes. That was the Coyote team that won the GWC regular season and tournament titles.
A year ago, Krogman earned second team All-GWC honors after averaging 14.0 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists in an 18-15 season which included an upset of the top seed in the tournament and the heart-breaking overtime loss in the finals.
“All through his career he has been such an easy kid to coach. He never questions anything we ask him to do and believes in our coaches just as we all believe in him,” said Boots."
As he wraps up his career, Krogman knows his Coyotes will not finish in last place, where many had them pegged to finish.
In this career finale, Krogman will be focused on one final winning effort.
It might be a little like his high school final when White River won a title before a statewide audience. Minus the championship, he will try to make his Coyote farewell memorable by leading USD to his 1,200th win all-time, albeit before a statewide televised audience on Midco.
And, that final act seems right for which Krogman to star.
Coyote Guard Tandem Leaving Mark --Together, Coyote senior men's basketball guards Charlie Westbrook and Louie Krogman have a combined 135 double-figure games, six games of 30 or more points (three each) and 44 games of 20 points or better. Between them they have led the team in scoring 53 times. Over the last six games, the pair has scored more than 20 points a combined 10 times (Krogman, 6; Westbrook, 4). In four of those games, both Westbrook and Krogman have scored 20 points. Also each of the two guards have tied or set a career-high in points with Krogman scoring 37 and Westbrook, 35. They have made a combined 40-of-85 from long distance, or a warm .471 percent. The two seniors have a combined 957 points (Westbrook, 503; Krogman, 454) and with big efforts vs. Oakland might reach 1,000.
Westbrook Close to 1K -- As Westbrook, who leads the team at 18.6 ppg., wraps up his career Saturday, he needs just 12 points to hit 1,000 for his career. Coming off a career-best 35 points, Westbrook will look to add to his 47 double-digit scoring games in his two seasons in Vermillion. He has scored 20 points or more on 20 occasions and led USD in scoring 24 times. He has broken the 30-point mark three times.
Rico Says Goodbye -- A third Coyote senior will also finish his career on Saturday. Rico Andreotti, who sits eighth all-time with 68 career blocks, has had a workmanlike career in Coyoteland with 376 career boards. His most memorable performance may be the 18-rebound effort vs. NDSU earlier this season and of course, his big dunk in the final moments of USD's 72-68 win over rival SDSU at the DakotaDome.
Calling All Sports Provides Powerful Human Interest Niche
"Each
time we say a word, think a thought or create an action; we evolve into who we
are destined to become. So with each shift we are continually changing never to
be that same person again." ~ Author Kaoru Shinmon
I'm not sure why some people see life as a glass half-full and others with a glass half-empty. I do know this; it takes less energy to smile than frown.
Smiles, positive thinking and living life with their glass half-full define Mike Henriksen and Mark Ovenden, the co-hosts of Calling All Sports, a Sioux Falls, S.D., based sports talk show. Each day, the duo helps make our lives a little better with their fun and informative sports talk radio show that adds something new every day.
It is a show that provides a powerful human interest niche to the local market. Whether Mike H. and Mark O. are interviewing a rising musical star, a high school sports standout, a new media professional in the area, analyzing the relevance of the State-U rivalry, or a myriad of things happening in the local, regional and even national scene, these guys always bring it.
A person doesn't have to see them to feel their trademark positive tone. CAS is an upbeat, lively show that makes me smile a bit, think some, and always enjoy. When it is half over, you don't notice. The time flies as swiftly and smoothly as the interplay between Mike H. and Mark O. and their guests.
One day recently, I stopped in to observe the two wily old broadcast pros. Believe me, they are a pair with energetic personalities and enviable pep in their step.
Over the course of the hour at the KWSN studio, they hit on snowball fights and how to make a snow angel, what team might win the Super Bowl or why a local band was worth a look.
Recently, they interviewed O'Gorman coach Steve Flynn about the one-day bowling state tourney and what makes bowling a unique sport. Another day, they dedicated a show to visit with people impacted by Missouri River flooding in Pierre, Dakota Dunes and elsewhere.
The list of guests ranges far and wide, including former Mt. Vernon native and now Minnesota Vikings linebacker Chad Greenway and former Augustana and Broncos standout Karl Mecklenburg. They have discussed kicking and football issues with NFL kickers such as David Treadwell and Nick Lowery.
At various points they have interviewed Twins announcer Dick Bremer to discuss baseball. They chatted about Super Bowl beverages with Ashley Kirsch of Cask and Cork in Sioux Falls and visited with Mark Cartwright of the Cartwright Brothers about the Dan Christopherson Bash for Cash. They talked about college football with Oklahoma Sooners offensive coordinator and former Aberdeen native Josh Heupel. Another guest was the irrepressible and 90-year old former U.S. Senator George McGovern.
They have interviewed new media talent in the area like KSFY's Paige Pearson and spoke with former Tyndall resident and now model and personal trainer Jodi Tiahrt of Los Angeles. They brought on USD men's BB coach Dave Boots after his 600th win and SDSU basketball coach Scott Nagy after career win 300. The guest list includes various sports information guys, numerous coaches, newspaper and TV guys, plus former Vikings QB Joe Kapp and Olympian pole vaulter Derek Miles. Guests have also included Terri Lawrenz and Todd Magnuson of Nature Adventures on SDPB, among a host of many others.
As I sat and observed the pair in the studio, I laughed quite a bit, learned some, and generally had a great time. I even quizzed the interview pros.
So who are these guys?
Both men are family guys who have made South Dakota home after finding their way to Sioux Falls from different parts of the country. Ovenden, a Boston native, attended the University of Richmond and worked in Rockford, Ill., before coming to the Sioux Falls area.
Henriksen is a Lincoln, Neb., native who found his way to Sioux Falls in 1978, roughly the same time as Ovenden.
Mark O., who balances two jobs as an accounting rep at Nichols Media and KDLT sports director, wears his emotions on his sleeve. He loves Boston sports teams, especially the Bruins, and Red Sox. He also has deep passion for the Celtics and of course, the Patriots. He will let you know what he thinks but always in a controlled, confident manner.
Mike H., a little more reserved, loves the Kansas City Royals in baseball and the Detroit Lions in football. Henriksen's real passion is with Dell Rapids High School sports team, where he has made his home. Mike H. has a quiet confidence and demeanor but he too is all about treating people with respect. They have Dakota values bred in their being, even as their roots are elsewhere.
In nearly 35 years in Sioux Falls, they’ve developed a strong rep for being easily approachable sorts. Ovenden, a racquetball and golfing aficionado, once did an hour-long radio program in Sioux Falls. He related a story about an interview with Frank Viola after the Twins won the World Series. Viola was named the 1987 World Series MVP and had the national media after him for interviews. The night after winning baseball's top prize, he stayed with Mark for an interview. A lot of that was on "Sweet Music" but it also lay with Ovenden’s respectful treatment of guests.
Mark O. makes regular appearances before the public in five minute TV segments on KDLT most nights. Henriksen, who does TV broadcasts as a play-by-play and color analyst for SD high school championships, is comfortable on the big screen but more honed to radio.
For several years Mike H. did a radio program on KWSN with Craig Mattick (Craig and Mike Show on KWSN) but is primarily attached to a Sportsmax show, which he has done for five years. He took over Sportsmax, an hour-long, interview show on sports-topics, about five years after his friend Tom Maxwell died in a tragic car accident (2001).
Calling All Sports was Henriksen's idea. He wanted to do a show with Mark O., after meeting and interacting with him regularly when Henriksen was a co-host on the Craig and Mike show on KWSN. The two men, and Calling All Sports, came together in May 2010 after Henriksen finally persuaded Ovenden to give it a try.
"I thought, how in the world I can do something like that," said Ovenden, acknowledging Henriksen as someone he respected, liked and with whom he thought a sports talk show might work. "I had two full-time jobs and I was wondering just how (could I make this work)? I decided that this could be a lot of fun. Once I go forward with something, I find a way to make it work," he said.
Now, nearly two years later, Ovenden, and Henriksen, have no regrets.
"I could be having a bad day at one of the other jobs but I know for an hour each day, I will have a great time and have fun. And, there are those days I have great days at all three and it makes for a pretty great day," said Mark O.
Watching or listening, it is easy to see they complement each other. You feel their chemistry, a vital component in successful sports talk radio programming.
"Mark is a guy that brings a lot to the show every day. He offers an inviting interview style and he is just fun to interact with on a daily basis," said Henriksen.
According to Ovenden, the idea for the show and the daily presentation is a credit to Henriksen, whom he calls "well-rounded, especially with the history of local artists and athletes."
It is a show that doesn’t feature the loud noise (and voices) of some sports talk shows, especially on a more national stage.
Mike H. and Mark O. make guests feel welcomed and I think a little special.
Is it all laughs and fun? That depends on your take. My view is they are two regular guys having a little fun, as they interact with people about sports and life.
They will pose tough questions to guests but in a respectful manner. The duo's understanding of sports, and its many variables, give them the experience and the sensitivity to broach topics without going over the cliff.
This show works because each of them is a little-different in presentation. Mark O. is a self-described story-teller. "Ask my kids," he says a bit off the cuff. "Sometimes they think I embellish a bit, but...over time and years sometimes the stuff gets a little bit enhanced."
Maybe, but who hasn’t added a little flair to a story. In the studio, you don’t hear much of that embellished stuff. They want their guests to tell the story because that is what makes CAS go. Because of that philosophical bent, we get those moments of laughter, of serious tone, and where we think, “Oh, wow.”
Needless to say, they debate and discuss topics; and they don’t always agree.
"I think we have a civil discussion on issues," said Henriksen. "But we don't go overboard and go on and on about a topic," he said.
Mark O. offers cutting humor, masked sometimes in his passion, especially when talking about his sports teams. Mike H. has that dry sense of humor that makes us all smile.
"With some topics, both us are well-versed or plugged in; and there are other areas where he has more interest and more knowledge," said Mark O. "Those times, I will defer to him. What it boils down to is that we respect each other's abilities."
Thirty-four years ago, they began doing their media thing in Sioux Falls. I don’t think either of them thought they would be here for that long. But they are. And, I am not sure; they thought that an hour-long sports talk radio could provide such satisfaction. It does.
"We don't manufacture stuff. We just let it (flow of the show) happen," said Henriksen.
Shinmon, a self-help author, said with each word, or perhaps action, a person evolves and changes and is never again that same person. To me, that is what makes this show worth a person’s time every day.
What we hear, what they present, makes both of us a little different today and maybe a little better tomorrow.
A lot of good things happen when the glass is half-full.
I'm not sure why some people see life as a glass half-full and others with a glass half-empty. I do know this; it takes less energy to smile than frown.
Smiles, positive thinking and living life with their glass half-full define Mike Henriksen and Mark Ovenden, the co-hosts of Calling All Sports, a Sioux Falls, S.D., based sports talk show. Each day, the duo helps make our lives a little better with their fun and informative sports talk radio show that adds something new every day.
It is a show that provides a powerful human interest niche to the local market. Whether Mike H. and Mark O. are interviewing a rising musical star, a high school sports standout, a new media professional in the area, analyzing the relevance of the State-U rivalry, or a myriad of things happening in the local, regional and even national scene, these guys always bring it.
A person doesn't have to see them to feel their trademark positive tone. CAS is an upbeat, lively show that makes me smile a bit, think some, and always enjoy. When it is half over, you don't notice. The time flies as swiftly and smoothly as the interplay between Mike H. and Mark O. and their guests.
One day recently, I stopped in to observe the two wily old broadcast pros. Believe me, they are a pair with energetic personalities and enviable pep in their step.
Over the course of the hour at the KWSN studio, they hit on snowball fights and how to make a snow angel, what team might win the Super Bowl or why a local band was worth a look.
Recently, they interviewed O'Gorman coach Steve Flynn about the one-day bowling state tourney and what makes bowling a unique sport. Another day, they dedicated a show to visit with people impacted by Missouri River flooding in Pierre, Dakota Dunes and elsewhere.
Just reviewing the show's
various guests indicates that they go down a varied path.
The list of guests ranges far and wide, including former Mt. Vernon native and now Minnesota Vikings linebacker Chad Greenway and former Augustana and Broncos standout Karl Mecklenburg. They have discussed kicking and football issues with NFL kickers such as David Treadwell and Nick Lowery.
At various points they have interviewed Twins announcer Dick Bremer to discuss baseball. They chatted about Super Bowl beverages with Ashley Kirsch of Cask and Cork in Sioux Falls and visited with Mark Cartwright of the Cartwright Brothers about the Dan Christopherson Bash for Cash. They talked about college football with Oklahoma Sooners offensive coordinator and former Aberdeen native Josh Heupel. Another guest was the irrepressible and 90-year old former U.S. Senator George McGovern.
They have interviewed new media talent in the area like KSFY's Paige Pearson and spoke with former Tyndall resident and now model and personal trainer Jodi Tiahrt of Los Angeles. They brought on USD men's BB coach Dave Boots after his 600th win and SDSU basketball coach Scott Nagy after career win 300. The guest list includes various sports information guys, numerous coaches, newspaper and TV guys, plus former Vikings QB Joe Kapp and Olympian pole vaulter Derek Miles. Guests have also included Terri Lawrenz and Todd Magnuson of Nature Adventures on SDPB, among a host of many others.
As I sat and observed the pair in the studio, I laughed quite a bit, learned some, and generally had a great time. I even quizzed the interview pros.
So who are these guys?
Both men are family guys who have made South Dakota home after finding their way to Sioux Falls from different parts of the country. Ovenden, a Boston native, attended the University of Richmond and worked in Rockford, Ill., before coming to the Sioux Falls area.
Henriksen is a Lincoln, Neb., native who found his way to Sioux Falls in 1978, roughly the same time as Ovenden.
Mark O., who balances two jobs as an accounting rep at Nichols Media and KDLT sports director, wears his emotions on his sleeve. He loves Boston sports teams, especially the Bruins, and Red Sox. He also has deep passion for the Celtics and of course, the Patriots. He will let you know what he thinks but always in a controlled, confident manner.
Mike H., a little more reserved, loves the Kansas City Royals in baseball and the Detroit Lions in football. Henriksen's real passion is with Dell Rapids High School sports team, where he has made his home. Mike H. has a quiet confidence and demeanor but he too is all about treating people with respect. They have Dakota values bred in their being, even as their roots are elsewhere.
In nearly 35 years in Sioux Falls, they’ve developed a strong rep for being easily approachable sorts. Ovenden, a racquetball and golfing aficionado, once did an hour-long radio program in Sioux Falls. He related a story about an interview with Frank Viola after the Twins won the World Series. Viola was named the 1987 World Series MVP and had the national media after him for interviews. The night after winning baseball's top prize, he stayed with Mark for an interview. A lot of that was on "Sweet Music" but it also lay with Ovenden’s respectful treatment of guests.
Mark O. makes regular appearances before the public in five minute TV segments on KDLT most nights. Henriksen, who does TV broadcasts as a play-by-play and color analyst for SD high school championships, is comfortable on the big screen but more honed to radio.
For several years Mike H. did a radio program on KWSN with Craig Mattick (Craig and Mike Show on KWSN) but is primarily attached to a Sportsmax show, which he has done for five years. He took over Sportsmax, an hour-long, interview show on sports-topics, about five years after his friend Tom Maxwell died in a tragic car accident (2001).
Calling All Sports was Henriksen's idea. He wanted to do a show with Mark O., after meeting and interacting with him regularly when Henriksen was a co-host on the Craig and Mike show on KWSN. The two men, and Calling All Sports, came together in May 2010 after Henriksen finally persuaded Ovenden to give it a try.
"I thought, how in the world I can do something like that," said Ovenden, acknowledging Henriksen as someone he respected, liked and with whom he thought a sports talk show might work. "I had two full-time jobs and I was wondering just how (could I make this work)? I decided that this could be a lot of fun. Once I go forward with something, I find a way to make it work," he said.
Now, nearly two years later, Ovenden, and Henriksen, have no regrets.
"I could be having a bad day at one of the other jobs but I know for an hour each day, I will have a great time and have fun. And, there are those days I have great days at all three and it makes for a pretty great day," said Mark O.
Watching or listening, it is easy to see they complement each other. You feel their chemistry, a vital component in successful sports talk radio programming.
"Mark is a guy that brings a lot to the show every day. He offers an inviting interview style and he is just fun to interact with on a daily basis," said Henriksen.
According to Ovenden, the idea for the show and the daily presentation is a credit to Henriksen, whom he calls "well-rounded, especially with the history of local artists and athletes."
It is a show that doesn’t feature the loud noise (and voices) of some sports talk shows, especially on a more national stage.
Mike H. and Mark O. make guests feel welcomed and I think a little special.
Is it all laughs and fun? That depends on your take. My view is they are two regular guys having a little fun, as they interact with people about sports and life.
They will pose tough questions to guests but in a respectful manner. The duo's understanding of sports, and its many variables, give them the experience and the sensitivity to broach topics without going over the cliff.
This show works because each of them is a little-different in presentation. Mark O. is a self-described story-teller. "Ask my kids," he says a bit off the cuff. "Sometimes they think I embellish a bit, but...over time and years sometimes the stuff gets a little bit enhanced."
Maybe, but who hasn’t added a little flair to a story. In the studio, you don’t hear much of that embellished stuff. They want their guests to tell the story because that is what makes CAS go. Because of that philosophical bent, we get those moments of laughter, of serious tone, and where we think, “Oh, wow.”
Needless to say, they debate and discuss topics; and they don’t always agree.
"I think we have a civil discussion on issues," said Henriksen. "But we don't go overboard and go on and on about a topic," he said.
Mark O. offers cutting humor, masked sometimes in his passion, especially when talking about his sports teams. Mike H. has that dry sense of humor that makes us all smile.
"With some topics, both us are well-versed or plugged in; and there are other areas where he has more interest and more knowledge," said Mark O. "Those times, I will defer to him. What it boils down to is that we respect each other's abilities."
Thirty-four years ago, they began doing their media thing in Sioux Falls. I don’t think either of them thought they would be here for that long. But they are. And, I am not sure; they thought that an hour-long sports talk radio could provide such satisfaction. It does.
Even when they get a
little criticism for laughing too much or being too nice to the guests, they
take it in stride. "OK," Henriksen said. "Maybe we do, but isn't
that what it is all about."
"We don't manufacture stuff. We just let it (flow of the show) happen," said Henriksen.
Shinmon, a self-help author, said with each word, or perhaps action, a person evolves and changes and is never again that same person. To me, that is what makes this show worth a person’s time every day.
What we hear, what they present, makes both of us a little different today and maybe a little better tomorrow.
A lot of good things happen when the glass is half-full.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
SD Prep Hoops -- Not Long Until Go Time
It will not be long before win and advance will be the order of the day in South Dakota preps hoops.
Looking ahead, the Districts will start on Feb. 27 in the various classes of both boys and girls hoops. The girls state tournament will be held on March 8-10 with Class B in the Huron Arena, Class A at the Young Center in Spearfish and AA at Frost Arena in Brookings. Meanwhile the boys tourneys are set for AA at the Rushmore Plaza Center in Rapid City with Class A in the Sioux Falls Arena and Class B at the Barnett Center in Aberdeen on March 15-17.
From my perspective, it would be better for the state to congregate these tournaments at one site, preferably Sioux Falls, which has the greatest capacity to hold such a tournament. However, that issue is for another time and blog discussion.
For now, let's just look at the classes across the boys and girls divisions and see who stacks up as favorites.
O'Gorman Ready to Defend AA Title
In Class AA Boys, Sioux Falls O'Gorman, the two-time defending champions, is ranked #1 despite the loss of three first all-state performers (Sterling Nielsen, Keaton Moffit and Cedric Lang). Head Coach Derek Robey is doing one of his best coaching jobs this season. He has his team at 14-3, employing a disciplined approach and utilizing aggressive play around the basket to their advantage. Connor Schaefbauer (17.4 ppg) Sam Wallin (10.3 ppg) and others have been good all season. Robey is now 127-37 at O'Gorman and 369-209 overall. His next win, which may come tonight at SF Lincoln, will be #370 of his career.
The Knights own a five-game winning streak and have won 52 of its last 53 vs. in-state opponents. O’Gorman is 77-15 since the 2008-09 season, including back-to-back AA titles in 2009-10 and 2010-11. O'Gorman has 15 straight wins over city opponents, dating back to a 48-42 loss to Sioux Falls Washington on Jan. 23, 2010. O'G has a combined 19-5 mark vs. SF Lincoln (6-2), Roosevelt (7-2) and Washington (6-1) since 2008-09.
As noted, tonight O’Gorman plays a hot Lincoln team. The Knights are on a role vs. the Pats with six straight wins, including two straight one point decisions. The last Patriots win over O’G was a 46-40 win on Feb. 20, 2009.
The Sioux Falls Lincoln Patriots are 14-2 and are on a roll with seven straight wins. Jeff Halseth's crew will look to end that losing skein to the Knights at home tonight. The Patriots have one in-state loss, falling to SF O’Gorman, 40-39 on Dec. 16. In fact, they have two straight one-point defeats to the Knights, dating back to the Class AA semifinals last spring. The Patriots, which has won 13 of 14 games, are led by Trey Naasz, Matt VanderWoude and 6-8 Scott Mulder inside. After tonight, they will set their sights on returning to the state tournament, where they finished a disappointing third last year.
In his final go-around Gary Munsen's Mitchell Kernels (15-3) will try and win their state-best 17th overall title. Munsen, who is 636-240 all-time, will look to help guide his squad to its 10th title during his tenure. All-state forward Tucker Volesky, Brady Carlson, and Co., will be a tough out.
Brookings (11-5) started the season a bit slow, due to an unfortunate and wierd injury to star guard Tanner Odegaard who fell off a roof. But now the Bobcats are playing as well as anyone. This season, they have a win over O'Gorman, ending a 47-game win streak by the Knights vs. South Dakota opponents. Since opening 4-4, Brookings has won 7-of-8 games. They have pulled off two big home wins, including the win over O'Gorman. On Friday night they upended #3 Mitchell, 45-42. On Feb. 7 they defeated Watertown, 46-44, on the road.
Another team to keep an eye is Pierre Riggs (13-5), which features all-state forward Lane Severyn but has lost a key player in center Zach Hansen. The Governors, sixth in last year's tourney, will try and advance to the state tourney in search of its fourth state title (last crown in 1982).
Watertown (10-8), which has four state titles and appeared in nine state title contests, can shoot it with Blake and Tanner Heiser and might offer a surprise.
And, don't forget about Sioux Falls Washington (10-7), which was was fourth a year ago and has 11 state titles, but none since 2003. Jim Trett's group is led by Justin Trett, Tyler Shetterly and Joey Habtmeriam.
Sioux Falls Roosevelt, (9-7), which won a state title in 2000, is led by guard Tyler Howard, and hopes to change course after three losses in four games.
Another team to keep an eye on is Tim Buddenhagen's Huron Tigers (10-8), which has won five straight. They feature star forward Luke Carr. The Tigers have a long and storied basketball tradition with 11 titles but the last one coming in 2004.
It doesn't appear likely that any team out west will be in the hunt, even with the AA tourney in Rapid City. In fact District 4 of Douglas (5-10), Rapid City Central (4-12), Rapid City Stevens (3-13) and Sturgis (0-16) have a combined 12 wins but will send one of their teams to the Rushmore Plaza.
STM Is Favorite In Wide open Class A Boys Field
Class A may be the most wide open of all the classes with as many as 12 teams with the capacity to win a title.
While Dell Rapids (13-4) recently dropped a pair of games, Mark Shriver's squad has a wealth of talent including junior Cole Langer (15 ppg, 8 rpg) and junior Bruce Koch (14 ppg and 11 rpg, named to the Class All-State Tournament Team a year ago) inside and senior sharp shooter Michael Schmidt on the perimeter. A year ago, Dell Rapids was third in Class A and will look to add its first state title since 1972. Dell Rapids will be a tough out. However with Garretson (12-4), led by Sawyer Gibson (15 ppg, 8 rpg) and Sioux Falls Christian (12-5), led by Carson Long among others, in the same district, a good team will be eliminated early. SF Christian has split with Dell Rapids, winning a 62-57 decision and losing 61-58.
In this class, the west features one of the state's best squads in St. Thomas More (16-2). STM, which will be challenged by Spearfish (11-5) in the districts, feature Skye Warwick, a dynamic and explosive player. STM, the defending champions (63-47 over Viborg/Hurley) has won three state titles as they shoot for #4.
Also look for McCook Central/Montrose (14-3) to be a state-tournament contender. MC/M, which has never won a state title, has won eight straight games and defeated McLaughlin, 65-52 last weekend, led by Shayne Gottlob's 26 points and 10 rebounds. Gottlob has been a walking double double with 17.8 ppg and 11.9 rpg. In that MCM/McLaughlin game, Hank Taken Alive, who has had at least two games of 35 or more points this year, scored 35. He also had 39 from Cheyenne Eagle Butte.
Another district battle features four-time state champion Madison (15-3), which has won seven straight including a win against SF Christian; and Flandreau (14-3), which had a five-game winning streak halted by Clark/Willow Lake (13-6). C/WL won for the seventh straight game and feature Skyler Flatten, one of the top players in the class.
Others who will be in the hunt include Dakota Valley (14-3), two-time state titlist Milbank (14-3) and winner of 10 straight; along with Winner (13-3), Miller (12-3), and Chamberlain (13-3). Miller has one of the state's top talents in Darin Peterka. Winner and Chamberlain will be trying for their first state title while two-time champion Miller looks for its first since 1972.
White River Will be Tough to Stop in Class B Boys
It will be very hard for any team to stop the White River express, directed by Eldon Marshall. They have been ranked #1 all season and defeated 16 straight opponents.
This last weekend, White River beat then A #1 Dell Rapids by 16. Wyatt Krogman, who is averaging over 20 ppg., scored 26 points with six assists while Nic Waln had 18 points and Matthew Gillen added 11.
White River is the only team in either the boys or girls rankings to retain the its #1 ranking all season. White River , which has won three state titles has won every game by at least 11 points. Other than a 60-49 win over McLaughlin, White River has defeated all opponents by 16 points or more and own nine wins of 37 points or more. White River will look to make its fifth straight state tourney. Since they have won titles recently in even years (2008, 2010) and lost in odd years (2009, 2011), this might be their year, if you believe in those kind of things.
Faith, which has never won a title, is a team to watch with 17 straight wins, all by double digits.
Another team to watch closely is Kevin Jackson's Rosholt squad, which is 16-1 with just a loss to Maple Valley, N.D. This last weekend, they upended a solid Canistota team, 65-59, as Adam Krueger had 20 points while Koby Jackson contributed 18 points and eight rebounds. Rosholt has appeared in just one state tournament, 1926, some 86 years ago.
Another team that will make a run at the state title is Viborg/Hurley (16-2), which has won seven straight and owns 13 wins in 14 games. Despite the loss of all-state center Zach Kraning, they are explosive with Dennis DeNeui, Jack Huether and Trevor Jacobsen. A year ago, Viborg/Hurley lost in the Class A finals to St. Thomas More and now try and win a first-ever state title.
Canistota (14-3), which won their only title in 1958 and finished seventh a year ago, has lost three of four games. However, they feature a group of standout athletes, including Cody Bunger and Jason Van Winkle, and will be another team to watch.
Langford Area (15-2), which is seeking its first state title, has won seven straight and looks solid led by Nick Alberts and Kyle Johnson. Earlier this year, head coach Paul Raasch passed 100 career wins at Langford and now sits at 114-23. He is approaching 380 career wins at 378-180.
Then there is Lower Brule (16-3) with 10 straight wins, three-time state champion Sully Buttes (13-3), Wolsey/Wessington (14-2) and James Valley Christian (14-3) with first-team all-state forward Adam Hofer.
It might also behoove basketball watchers to pay attention to a 17-2 Dupree squad which has lost twice, both to unbeaten Faith. Dupree, Lower Brule, Wolsey/Wessington and James Valley Christian are all schools looking for a first championship.
Mitchell at Head of AA Class
At the head of the Class AA Girls is top-ranked Mitchell, which as won 12 straight. Coach Wes Morgan's Kernels is led by SDSU recruit and all-state forward Kerri Young (18 ppg) along with standout sophomore guard/forward Maci Miller. Mitchell is shooting for its fifth state title.
Sioux Falls Washington (15-2), which is seeking a sixth AA title, lost a wealth of talent from a year ago but are solid led by Sarah Zirpel (12.0 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 2.2 apg), Emma Hanson (10.0 ppg, 6.3 rpg), Ellie Benson (9.1 ppg, 6.8 rpg) and Hannah Weber (8.2 ppg, 5.0 rpg). They have won nine straight. Head coach Nate Malchow, who passed 100 wins earlier this year, sits at 112-47 for his career as he tries to lead the Warriors back to the state tourney where they were fifth a year ago.
Yankton (11-5), which has won nine titles and appeared in 14 championship tilts, has been on fire after a rough start to the season due to some pesky injuries. With Mikala Hora back, along with SDSU recruit Chloe Corneman and Emily Fedders, this is a solid group. Coach Doug Pesicka is approaching 300 career wins as the Gazelles head coach, having surpassed the 300 overall career wins earlier this year. He stands 293-192 at Yankton and has a 307-208 overall coaching record.
The defending champions Brandon Valley (12-5), paced by USD recruit Heidi Hoff (21.8 ppg), will look to win its second straight title. However, they are matched up with Washington in the districts, which means one of the two schools, both ranked in the top five, will try and go through the loser's bracket to the state tourney.
Dawn Seiler's Aberdeen Central squad has a group of outstanding athletes and could be a favor. They are led by junior Bryn Flakus, sisters Kelcy and Kayla Schaunaman and Tiffany Lundberg. A year ago, Aberdeen Central was third and is chasing its first state title.
Watertown (11-6), which has four state titles, is led by USD recruit Tia Heimiller and also could figure in a state title run.
Sioux Falls O'Gorman (10-8) is led by all-state guard Chandler Nielsen. Chris Clark's Sioux Falls Roosevelt (10-6), crew which has seven titles, features seniors Sydney Rome and Anja Cucak.
Unbeaten Wagner Leads Class A
#1 Wagner (18-0), which has not won state titles since 1998 and 1999 when Mandy Koupal led the way, remains the only unbeaten team in SD prep girls basketball and will try and win a third championship.
Led by all-state standout Devon Brecke and Jessica Doom, Wagner will be tough to knock off. They have a 42-36 win over #2 St. Thomas More, who has won four straight and seven of eight. STM, which was fourth a year ago in its first ever state tourney appearance, have won by 20 or more points in their last four wins. STM has lost only to Wagner on Jan. 14 (42-36) among in-state competition. They also have a loss to Chadron, Neb.
Elkton/Lake Benton (16-3), led by all-state guard Cassidy Gebhart and Megan Krogman, has eight wins in nine games. Led by head coach Steve Krause, who is now, 81-11 in his career, E/LB looks for a second championship after winning in 2010.
Tri-Valley (16-3), which has made consecutive state appearances (seventh last year) and won the 2003 A title, has won seven straight contests and is a hot squad heading into the final stages of the regular season. They will be another team to watch.
Sisseton (15-2), led by coach Cal Schubert (327-109 all-time), has won two straight and six of seven games. A year ago, they defeated Beresford, 50-39, for the school's fifth title. They lost the bulk of that team but have been one of the state's best this year.
Parkston (15-3), winners of eight consecutive games, is led by one of the state's top point guards in Marie Malloy, a five-year starter and all-state performer. Malloy, who is averaging 23 points and eight assists per game, has scored over 1,600 career points. This season Parkston coach Rob Van Laecken become the all-time wins leader in girls basketball this year (passing the late Fred Tibbetts) and now has an all-time record of 563-201.
Don't close your eyes on Miller (16-2), a two-state champion, which has won nine straight; or Aberdeen Roncalli (14-4) which as 10 wins in 11 games and seeks its first state title.
Vermillion (15-3), which won the 2007 crown, and two-time champion West Central (14-3), which has wins in 14 of its last 15 games, are other squads with solid teams that could make noise. Tonight, Vermillion's get's its biggest test of the year in a road trip to top-ranked Wagner.
B Girls Looking at Summit
#1 Summit (17-2), the defending champions, has won 12 straight and defeated three straight opponents by 25 points or more. Summit, which is looking to return to the state tournament for the seventh straight time and in search of its third title, is led by a sister combo of Logan and Presley O'Farrell. Summit's coach Mark Amdahl, who has a 170-24 career record, guided the squad to a state title a year ago with a 42-40 overtime win against Newell.
Centerville (16-3), which has won eight straight games, is focused on bettering a fourth place showing at last year's state tourney. Coach Jamie Parish, now 127-92 in his career, has one of the state's top players in junior Kieran O'Malley, who began her career for the Tornadoes as a seventh grader and is averaging over 22 points a game for the second straight season. She is assisted by another 1,000 point plus scorer in Samantha Blake, who averages15 points and seven rebounds.
Joining the fight for the B title will be Eureka/Bowdle, which made its only state appearance in 1985, and is one of the hottest teams in the class. E/B has won 11 straight games, including a defeat of Herreid/Selby, which was at the time ranked #1.
Herreid/Selby (16-2), which won a title as Selby Area in 1989, is led by a tandem of 5-8 junior guard Taylor Madden (15 ppg) and forward Shauni Schwartz, another double digit scorer. A year ago they reached the region finals only to fall to Highmore-Harrold.
Estelline (16-2), which has only made one state appearance in 1993, is another solid team that will be in the hunt.
Warner (17-2), which has not won a state title, is on a torrid winning pace with 16 victories in 17 games, including six straight. They have won their last six games by 12 points or more.
In addition, two-time champion Sully Buttes (16-2) has won 13-straight games, the best string in Class B.
Castlewood (14-2), which has two titles including the 2010 crown, has won nine straight games.
Sanborn Central/Woonsocket (17-2) has won eight straight games and 11 of 12 overall as they look for their first title.
Finally, there is Hanson (16-3), which is led by all-state center Ashley Robinson, who is averaging nearly 20 ppg and over nine rebounds. Led by coach Jim Bridge, who has a 422-160 record, Hanson is looking for its first title. They are on a roll with 12 straight wins.
Langer Reaches 1,000: Cole Langer of Dell Rapids, who earlier this year had a triple double in a game, reached the 1,000-point mark in a loss to Dakota Valley on Feb. 10. He is averaging 14 points and nearly nine rebounds per game.
A unique motivation style: Coaches find a variety of ways to motivate their teams. Rapid City Journal reporter (former intern of mine at USD), Vance Janak shared one style by Donovan DeBoer, the head girls coach at Rapid City Stevens, who employed "The Little Engine that Could" as his team handed Sioux Falls Lincoln a 38-37 defeat on Friday night. Janak writes: "Whether it was reading the popular children’s book or the Raiders getting back to their fundamentally-sound defense, Stevens found a way to overcome an eight-point fourth-quarter deficit before holding on for a 38-37 Greater Dakota Conference win at Carold Heier Gymnasium." USD recruit Margaret McCloud played a key role with a double double of 12 points and 13 rebounds. http://rapidcityjournal.com/sports/high-school-basketball-stevens-snaps-slide-with-win/article_433ea4e8-5473-11e1-8ff3-001871e3ce6c.html
Kieran O'Malley On Fire -- Kieran O'Malley of Centerville is one of the state's top talents across all classes in SD prep girls basketball. Her latest escapade was a three-point shot at the buzzer to send Class A Beresford to a 66-64 defeat. Yet, that kind of play is common with O'Malley, who is a five-year starter. She is averaging 22.7 points per game in leading the #3 Centerville Tornadoes to a 16-3 record. She is also averaging 4.6 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 2.8 steals per game. With 322 assists in her career, she ranks second all-time at Centerville. She is also second all-time in steals with 277. In terms of points, O'Malley has 432 this year and is Centerville's all-time leading scoring with 1,831 points. She scored 108 points as a seventh grader, followed with 334 as an eighth grade, 375 as a freshman and 582 a year ago.
During her career O'Malley has had nine games of 30 or more points, including three over 40 points. Her 43 points against Parker this year was the second highest of her career. A year ago she had 45 vs. Colman Egan. Another all-time great at Centerville, Janna Austin (early 1990s) scored 30 or more points 12 times and finished with 1,685 points, just ahead of a sister Stephanie with 1,452 points. Also of note is the play of Samantha Blake for Centerville. Averaging 15.8 ppg and 7.4 rpg, Blake has 1,189 points and 839 rebounds (third all-time at Centerville). Amazing that Centerville has two players on the same team with 1,100 or more career points.
O'Malley's Form Explosive Brother-Sister Duo -- Kieran O'Malley is averaging 22.7 ppg and her brother Seamus is at 20.6 ppg, making them a rare brother/sister duo averaging 20 points a game for their respective teams. Seamus has led the boys to a 14-4 record while Kieran's points has helped the Tornadoes to a 16-3 record and #3 ranking.
BV's Heidi Hoff Racking Up Career Totals -- Heidi Hoff, who led Brandon Valley to its first state title a year ago, is trying to repeat that effort as the fifth-ranked BV sits 12-5 this season. Hoff, who is averaging 21.3 ppg., has 1,285 career points, including 362 as a senior, 478 as a junior, 264 as a sophomore and 181 as a freshman. She has 59 double figure games including 25 of 20 points or more. She has three games of 30 or more, including a career-best 45 points this season. Hoff, who will play at USD next year, had 34 points a year ago in the State AA first round in a victory over Mitchell. During her career, Hoff has totaled 71 career blocks, 177 steals, 320 assists and 598 rebounds. Every year she has upped her scoring average, moving from 7.0 ppg to 12.0 as a sophomore, 18.4 a year ago and now over 21 as a senior.
Winning Streaks by Class
A number of teams have caught wire recently and are on substantial winning streaks. Here is a list of SD prep teams (boys and girls) with at least five wins in a row.
AA Boys
Lincoln (14-2), 7 (13-of-14)
O'Gorman (14-3), 5, (9-of-10)
Huron (10-8), 5
A Boys
Milbank (14-3), 10
McCook Central/Montrose (14-3), 8
Clark/Willow Lake (13-6), 7
St. Thomas More (16-2), 7
Madison (15-3), 7
Chamberlain (13-3), 5
Elk Point/Jefferson (10-7), 5
Miller (12-3), 5
Tea Area (12-6), 5
B Boys
Faith (17-0), 17
White River (16-0), 16
Lower Brule (16-3), 10
Langford (15-2), 7
Viborg/Hurley (16-2), 7 (13-of-14)
Wolsey/Wessington (14-2), 6
James Valley Christian (14-3), 6
Rosholt (16-1) have won 16 straight vs. South Dakota opponents.
AA Girls
Mitchell (17-1), 12
SF Washington (15-2), 9
A Girls
Wagner (18-0), 18
Miller (16-2), 9
Parkston (15-3), 8
Tri-Valley (16-3), 7
Clark/Willow Lake (15-3), 6
Bon Homme (14-5), 6
B Girls
Sully Buttes (16-2), 13
Summit (17-2), 12
Hanson (16-3), 12 (15-of-16)
Eureka/Bowdle (15-1), 11
Castlewood (14-2), 9
Sanborn Central/Woonsocket (17-2), 8 (11-of-12)
Warner (17-2), 6 (16-of-17)
ORR (14-4), 6
Timber Lake (11-7), 5
Looking ahead, the Districts will start on Feb. 27 in the various classes of both boys and girls hoops. The girls state tournament will be held on March 8-10 with Class B in the Huron Arena, Class A at the Young Center in Spearfish and AA at Frost Arena in Brookings. Meanwhile the boys tourneys are set for AA at the Rushmore Plaza Center in Rapid City with Class A in the Sioux Falls Arena and Class B at the Barnett Center in Aberdeen on March 15-17.
From my perspective, it would be better for the state to congregate these tournaments at one site, preferably Sioux Falls, which has the greatest capacity to hold such a tournament. However, that issue is for another time and blog discussion.
For now, let's just look at the classes across the boys and girls divisions and see who stacks up as favorites.
O'Gorman Ready to Defend AA Title
In Class AA Boys, Sioux Falls O'Gorman, the two-time defending champions, is ranked #1 despite the loss of three first all-state performers (Sterling Nielsen, Keaton Moffit and Cedric Lang). Head Coach Derek Robey is doing one of his best coaching jobs this season. He has his team at 14-3, employing a disciplined approach and utilizing aggressive play around the basket to their advantage. Connor Schaefbauer (17.4 ppg) Sam Wallin (10.3 ppg) and others have been good all season. Robey is now 127-37 at O'Gorman and 369-209 overall. His next win, which may come tonight at SF Lincoln, will be #370 of his career.
The Knights own a five-game winning streak and have won 52 of its last 53 vs. in-state opponents. O’Gorman is 77-15 since the 2008-09 season, including back-to-back AA titles in 2009-10 and 2010-11. O'Gorman has 15 straight wins over city opponents, dating back to a 48-42 loss to Sioux Falls Washington on Jan. 23, 2010. O'G has a combined 19-5 mark vs. SF Lincoln (6-2), Roosevelt (7-2) and Washington (6-1) since 2008-09.
As noted, tonight O’Gorman plays a hot Lincoln team. The Knights are on a role vs. the Pats with six straight wins, including two straight one point decisions. The last Patriots win over O’G was a 46-40 win on Feb. 20, 2009.
The Sioux Falls Lincoln Patriots are 14-2 and are on a roll with seven straight wins. Jeff Halseth's crew will look to end that losing skein to the Knights at home tonight. The Patriots have one in-state loss, falling to SF O’Gorman, 40-39 on Dec. 16. In fact, they have two straight one-point defeats to the Knights, dating back to the Class AA semifinals last spring. The Patriots, which has won 13 of 14 games, are led by Trey Naasz, Matt VanderWoude and 6-8 Scott Mulder inside. After tonight, they will set their sights on returning to the state tournament, where they finished a disappointing third last year.
In his final go-around Gary Munsen's Mitchell Kernels (15-3) will try and win their state-best 17th overall title. Munsen, who is 636-240 all-time, will look to help guide his squad to its 10th title during his tenure. All-state forward Tucker Volesky, Brady Carlson, and Co., will be a tough out.
Brookings (11-5) started the season a bit slow, due to an unfortunate and wierd injury to star guard Tanner Odegaard who fell off a roof. But now the Bobcats are playing as well as anyone. This season, they have a win over O'Gorman, ending a 47-game win streak by the Knights vs. South Dakota opponents. Since opening 4-4, Brookings has won 7-of-8 games. They have pulled off two big home wins, including the win over O'Gorman. On Friday night they upended #3 Mitchell, 45-42. On Feb. 7 they defeated Watertown, 46-44, on the road.
Another team to keep an eye is Pierre Riggs (13-5), which features all-state forward Lane Severyn but has lost a key player in center Zach Hansen. The Governors, sixth in last year's tourney, will try and advance to the state tourney in search of its fourth state title (last crown in 1982).
Watertown (10-8), which has four state titles and appeared in nine state title contests, can shoot it with Blake and Tanner Heiser and might offer a surprise.
And, don't forget about Sioux Falls Washington (10-7), which was was fourth a year ago and has 11 state titles, but none since 2003. Jim Trett's group is led by Justin Trett, Tyler Shetterly and Joey Habtmeriam.
Sioux Falls Roosevelt, (9-7), which won a state title in 2000, is led by guard Tyler Howard, and hopes to change course after three losses in four games.
Another team to keep an eye on is Tim Buddenhagen's Huron Tigers (10-8), which has won five straight. They feature star forward Luke Carr. The Tigers have a long and storied basketball tradition with 11 titles but the last one coming in 2004.
It doesn't appear likely that any team out west will be in the hunt, even with the AA tourney in Rapid City. In fact District 4 of Douglas (5-10), Rapid City Central (4-12), Rapid City Stevens (3-13) and Sturgis (0-16) have a combined 12 wins but will send one of their teams to the Rushmore Plaza.
STM Is Favorite In Wide open Class A Boys Field
Class A may be the most wide open of all the classes with as many as 12 teams with the capacity to win a title.
While Dell Rapids (13-4) recently dropped a pair of games, Mark Shriver's squad has a wealth of talent including junior Cole Langer (15 ppg, 8 rpg) and junior Bruce Koch (14 ppg and 11 rpg, named to the Class All-State Tournament Team a year ago) inside and senior sharp shooter Michael Schmidt on the perimeter. A year ago, Dell Rapids was third in Class A and will look to add its first state title since 1972. Dell Rapids will be a tough out. However with Garretson (12-4), led by Sawyer Gibson (15 ppg, 8 rpg) and Sioux Falls Christian (12-5), led by Carson Long among others, in the same district, a good team will be eliminated early. SF Christian has split with Dell Rapids, winning a 62-57 decision and losing 61-58.
In this class, the west features one of the state's best squads in St. Thomas More (16-2). STM, which will be challenged by Spearfish (11-5) in the districts, feature Skye Warwick, a dynamic and explosive player. STM, the defending champions (63-47 over Viborg/Hurley) has won three state titles as they shoot for #4.
Also look for McCook Central/Montrose (14-3) to be a state-tournament contender. MC/M, which has never won a state title, has won eight straight games and defeated McLaughlin, 65-52 last weekend, led by Shayne Gottlob's 26 points and 10 rebounds. Gottlob has been a walking double double with 17.8 ppg and 11.9 rpg. In that MCM/McLaughlin game, Hank Taken Alive, who has had at least two games of 35 or more points this year, scored 35. He also had 39 from Cheyenne Eagle Butte.
Another district battle features four-time state champion Madison (15-3), which has won seven straight including a win against SF Christian; and Flandreau (14-3), which had a five-game winning streak halted by Clark/Willow Lake (13-6). C/WL won for the seventh straight game and feature Skyler Flatten, one of the top players in the class.
Others who will be in the hunt include Dakota Valley (14-3), two-time state titlist Milbank (14-3) and winner of 10 straight; along with Winner (13-3), Miller (12-3), and Chamberlain (13-3). Miller has one of the state's top talents in Darin Peterka. Winner and Chamberlain will be trying for their first state title while two-time champion Miller looks for its first since 1972.
White River Will be Tough to Stop in Class B Boys
It will be very hard for any team to stop the White River express, directed by Eldon Marshall. They have been ranked #1 all season and defeated 16 straight opponents.
This last weekend, White River beat then A #1 Dell Rapids by 16. Wyatt Krogman, who is averaging over 20 ppg., scored 26 points with six assists while Nic Waln had 18 points and Matthew Gillen added 11.
White River is the only team in either the boys or girls rankings to retain the its #1 ranking all season. White River , which has won three state titles has won every game by at least 11 points. Other than a 60-49 win over McLaughlin, White River has defeated all opponents by 16 points or more and own nine wins of 37 points or more. White River will look to make its fifth straight state tourney. Since they have won titles recently in even years (2008, 2010) and lost in odd years (2009, 2011), this might be their year, if you believe in those kind of things.
Faith, which has never won a title, is a team to watch with 17 straight wins, all by double digits.
Another team to watch closely is Kevin Jackson's Rosholt squad, which is 16-1 with just a loss to Maple Valley, N.D. This last weekend, they upended a solid Canistota team, 65-59, as Adam Krueger had 20 points while Koby Jackson contributed 18 points and eight rebounds. Rosholt has appeared in just one state tournament, 1926, some 86 years ago.
Another team that will make a run at the state title is Viborg/Hurley (16-2), which has won seven straight and owns 13 wins in 14 games. Despite the loss of all-state center Zach Kraning, they are explosive with Dennis DeNeui, Jack Huether and Trevor Jacobsen. A year ago, Viborg/Hurley lost in the Class A finals to St. Thomas More and now try and win a first-ever state title.
Canistota (14-3), which won their only title in 1958 and finished seventh a year ago, has lost three of four games. However, they feature a group of standout athletes, including Cody Bunger and Jason Van Winkle, and will be another team to watch.
Langford Area (15-2), which is seeking its first state title, has won seven straight and looks solid led by Nick Alberts and Kyle Johnson. Earlier this year, head coach Paul Raasch passed 100 career wins at Langford and now sits at 114-23. He is approaching 380 career wins at 378-180.
Then there is Lower Brule (16-3) with 10 straight wins, three-time state champion Sully Buttes (13-3), Wolsey/Wessington (14-2) and James Valley Christian (14-3) with first-team all-state forward Adam Hofer.
It might also behoove basketball watchers to pay attention to a 17-2 Dupree squad which has lost twice, both to unbeaten Faith. Dupree, Lower Brule, Wolsey/Wessington and James Valley Christian are all schools looking for a first championship.
Mitchell at Head of AA Class
At the head of the Class AA Girls is top-ranked Mitchell, which as won 12 straight. Coach Wes Morgan's Kernels is led by SDSU recruit and all-state forward Kerri Young (18 ppg) along with standout sophomore guard/forward Maci Miller. Mitchell is shooting for its fifth state title.
Sioux Falls Washington (15-2), which is seeking a sixth AA title, lost a wealth of talent from a year ago but are solid led by Sarah Zirpel (12.0 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 2.2 apg), Emma Hanson (10.0 ppg, 6.3 rpg), Ellie Benson (9.1 ppg, 6.8 rpg) and Hannah Weber (8.2 ppg, 5.0 rpg). They have won nine straight. Head coach Nate Malchow, who passed 100 wins earlier this year, sits at 112-47 for his career as he tries to lead the Warriors back to the state tourney where they were fifth a year ago.
Yankton (11-5), which has won nine titles and appeared in 14 championship tilts, has been on fire after a rough start to the season due to some pesky injuries. With Mikala Hora back, along with SDSU recruit Chloe Corneman and Emily Fedders, this is a solid group. Coach Doug Pesicka is approaching 300 career wins as the Gazelles head coach, having surpassed the 300 overall career wins earlier this year. He stands 293-192 at Yankton and has a 307-208 overall coaching record.
The defending champions Brandon Valley (12-5), paced by USD recruit Heidi Hoff (21.8 ppg), will look to win its second straight title. However, they are matched up with Washington in the districts, which means one of the two schools, both ranked in the top five, will try and go through the loser's bracket to the state tourney.
Dawn Seiler's Aberdeen Central squad has a group of outstanding athletes and could be a favor. They are led by junior Bryn Flakus, sisters Kelcy and Kayla Schaunaman and Tiffany Lundberg. A year ago, Aberdeen Central was third and is chasing its first state title.
Watertown (11-6), which has four state titles, is led by USD recruit Tia Heimiller and also could figure in a state title run.
Sioux Falls O'Gorman (10-8) is led by all-state guard Chandler Nielsen. Chris Clark's Sioux Falls Roosevelt (10-6), crew which has seven titles, features seniors Sydney Rome and Anja Cucak.
Unbeaten Wagner Leads Class A
#1 Wagner (18-0), which has not won state titles since 1998 and 1999 when Mandy Koupal led the way, remains the only unbeaten team in SD prep girls basketball and will try and win a third championship.
Led by all-state standout Devon Brecke and Jessica Doom, Wagner will be tough to knock off. They have a 42-36 win over #2 St. Thomas More, who has won four straight and seven of eight. STM, which was fourth a year ago in its first ever state tourney appearance, have won by 20 or more points in their last four wins. STM has lost only to Wagner on Jan. 14 (42-36) among in-state competition. They also have a loss to Chadron, Neb.
Elkton/Lake Benton (16-3), led by all-state guard Cassidy Gebhart and Megan Krogman, has eight wins in nine games. Led by head coach Steve Krause, who is now, 81-11 in his career, E/LB looks for a second championship after winning in 2010.
Tri-Valley (16-3), which has made consecutive state appearances (seventh last year) and won the 2003 A title, has won seven straight contests and is a hot squad heading into the final stages of the regular season. They will be another team to watch.
Sisseton (15-2), led by coach Cal Schubert (327-109 all-time), has won two straight and six of seven games. A year ago, they defeated Beresford, 50-39, for the school's fifth title. They lost the bulk of that team but have been one of the state's best this year.
Parkston (15-3), winners of eight consecutive games, is led by one of the state's top point guards in Marie Malloy, a five-year starter and all-state performer. Malloy, who is averaging 23 points and eight assists per game, has scored over 1,600 career points. This season Parkston coach Rob Van Laecken become the all-time wins leader in girls basketball this year (passing the late Fred Tibbetts) and now has an all-time record of 563-201.
Don't close your eyes on Miller (16-2), a two-state champion, which has won nine straight; or Aberdeen Roncalli (14-4) which as 10 wins in 11 games and seeks its first state title.
Vermillion (15-3), which won the 2007 crown, and two-time champion West Central (14-3), which has wins in 14 of its last 15 games, are other squads with solid teams that could make noise. Tonight, Vermillion's get's its biggest test of the year in a road trip to top-ranked Wagner.
B Girls Looking at Summit
#1 Summit (17-2), the defending champions, has won 12 straight and defeated three straight opponents by 25 points or more. Summit, which is looking to return to the state tournament for the seventh straight time and in search of its third title, is led by a sister combo of Logan and Presley O'Farrell. Summit's coach Mark Amdahl, who has a 170-24 career record, guided the squad to a state title a year ago with a 42-40 overtime win against Newell.
Centerville (16-3), which has won eight straight games, is focused on bettering a fourth place showing at last year's state tourney. Coach Jamie Parish, now 127-92 in his career, has one of the state's top players in junior Kieran O'Malley, who began her career for the Tornadoes as a seventh grader and is averaging over 22 points a game for the second straight season. She is assisted by another 1,000 point plus scorer in Samantha Blake, who averages15 points and seven rebounds.
Joining the fight for the B title will be Eureka/Bowdle, which made its only state appearance in 1985, and is one of the hottest teams in the class. E/B has won 11 straight games, including a defeat of Herreid/Selby, which was at the time ranked #1.
Herreid/Selby (16-2), which won a title as Selby Area in 1989, is led by a tandem of 5-8 junior guard Taylor Madden (15 ppg) and forward Shauni Schwartz, another double digit scorer. A year ago they reached the region finals only to fall to Highmore-Harrold.
Estelline (16-2), which has only made one state appearance in 1993, is another solid team that will be in the hunt.
Warner (17-2), which has not won a state title, is on a torrid winning pace with 16 victories in 17 games, including six straight. They have won their last six games by 12 points or more.
In addition, two-time champion Sully Buttes (16-2) has won 13-straight games, the best string in Class B.
Castlewood (14-2), which has two titles including the 2010 crown, has won nine straight games.
Sanborn Central/Woonsocket (17-2) has won eight straight games and 11 of 12 overall as they look for their first title.
Finally, there is Hanson (16-3), which is led by all-state center Ashley Robinson, who is averaging nearly 20 ppg and over nine rebounds. Led by coach Jim Bridge, who has a 422-160 record, Hanson is looking for its first title. They are on a roll with 12 straight wins.
Langer Reaches 1,000: Cole Langer of Dell Rapids, who earlier this year had a triple double in a game, reached the 1,000-point mark in a loss to Dakota Valley on Feb. 10. He is averaging 14 points and nearly nine rebounds per game.
A unique motivation style: Coaches find a variety of ways to motivate their teams. Rapid City Journal reporter (former intern of mine at USD), Vance Janak shared one style by Donovan DeBoer, the head girls coach at Rapid City Stevens, who employed "The Little Engine that Could" as his team handed Sioux Falls Lincoln a 38-37 defeat on Friday night. Janak writes: "Whether it was reading the popular children’s book or the Raiders getting back to their fundamentally-sound defense, Stevens found a way to overcome an eight-point fourth-quarter deficit before holding on for a 38-37 Greater Dakota Conference win at Carold Heier Gymnasium." USD recruit Margaret McCloud played a key role with a double double of 12 points and 13 rebounds. http://rapidcityjournal.com/sports/high-school-basketball-stevens-snaps-slide-with-win/article_433ea4e8-5473-11e1-8ff3-001871e3ce6c.html
Kieran O'Malley On Fire -- Kieran O'Malley of Centerville is one of the state's top talents across all classes in SD prep girls basketball. Her latest escapade was a three-point shot at the buzzer to send Class A Beresford to a 66-64 defeat. Yet, that kind of play is common with O'Malley, who is a five-year starter. She is averaging 22.7 points per game in leading the #3 Centerville Tornadoes to a 16-3 record. She is also averaging 4.6 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 2.8 steals per game. With 322 assists in her career, she ranks second all-time at Centerville. She is also second all-time in steals with 277. In terms of points, O'Malley has 432 this year and is Centerville's all-time leading scoring with 1,831 points. She scored 108 points as a seventh grader, followed with 334 as an eighth grade, 375 as a freshman and 582 a year ago.
During her career O'Malley has had nine games of 30 or more points, including three over 40 points. Her 43 points against Parker this year was the second highest of her career. A year ago she had 45 vs. Colman Egan. Another all-time great at Centerville, Janna Austin (early 1990s) scored 30 or more points 12 times and finished with 1,685 points, just ahead of a sister Stephanie with 1,452 points. Also of note is the play of Samantha Blake for Centerville. Averaging 15.8 ppg and 7.4 rpg, Blake has 1,189 points and 839 rebounds (third all-time at Centerville). Amazing that Centerville has two players on the same team with 1,100 or more career points.
O'Malley's Form Explosive Brother-Sister Duo -- Kieran O'Malley is averaging 22.7 ppg and her brother Seamus is at 20.6 ppg, making them a rare brother/sister duo averaging 20 points a game for their respective teams. Seamus has led the boys to a 14-4 record while Kieran's points has helped the Tornadoes to a 16-3 record and #3 ranking.
BV's Heidi Hoff Racking Up Career Totals -- Heidi Hoff, who led Brandon Valley to its first state title a year ago, is trying to repeat that effort as the fifth-ranked BV sits 12-5 this season. Hoff, who is averaging 21.3 ppg., has 1,285 career points, including 362 as a senior, 478 as a junior, 264 as a sophomore and 181 as a freshman. She has 59 double figure games including 25 of 20 points or more. She has three games of 30 or more, including a career-best 45 points this season. Hoff, who will play at USD next year, had 34 points a year ago in the State AA first round in a victory over Mitchell. During her career, Hoff has totaled 71 career blocks, 177 steals, 320 assists and 598 rebounds. Every year she has upped her scoring average, moving from 7.0 ppg to 12.0 as a sophomore, 18.4 a year ago and now over 21 as a senior.
Winning Streaks by Class
A number of teams have caught wire recently and are on substantial winning streaks. Here is a list of SD prep teams (boys and girls) with at least five wins in a row.
AA Boys
Lincoln (14-2), 7 (13-of-14)
O'Gorman (14-3), 5, (9-of-10)
Huron (10-8), 5
A Boys
Milbank (14-3), 10
McCook Central/Montrose (14-3), 8
Clark/Willow Lake (13-6), 7
St. Thomas More (16-2), 7
Madison (15-3), 7
Chamberlain (13-3), 5
Elk Point/Jefferson (10-7), 5
Miller (12-3), 5
Tea Area (12-6), 5
B Boys
Faith (17-0), 17
White River (16-0), 16
Lower Brule (16-3), 10
Langford (15-2), 7
Viborg/Hurley (16-2), 7 (13-of-14)
Wolsey/Wessington (14-2), 6
James Valley Christian (14-3), 6
Rosholt (16-1) have won 16 straight vs. South Dakota opponents.
AA Girls
Mitchell (17-1), 12
SF Washington (15-2), 9
A Girls
Wagner (18-0), 18
Miller (16-2), 9
Parkston (15-3), 8
Tri-Valley (16-3), 7
Clark/Willow Lake (15-3), 6
Bon Homme (14-5), 6
B Girls
Sully Buttes (16-2), 13
Summit (17-2), 12
Hanson (16-3), 12 (15-of-16)
Eureka/Bowdle (15-1), 11
Castlewood (14-2), 9
Sanborn Central/Woonsocket (17-2), 8 (11-of-12)
Warner (17-2), 6 (16-of-17)
ORR (14-4), 6
Timber Lake (11-7), 5
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
I've Got Baseball Fever
My fervor for baseball is year around.
Every day, I check the Detroit News and Detroit Free Press, mlb.com and a few other assorted websites for fresh news about baseball and particularly my Detroit Tigers.
I am not sure what drives my passion for the Tigers or the game itself, but it is a fever that stays hot and intensifies in February.
My spirit and optimism grows as opening day hits and culminates with the World Series, after which I feel some effects of withdrawal with the end of the season. But, then before you know it, February has arrived and pitchers and catchers report. Baseball is back.
No matter what words I use to describe my feeling for the game, the best I can offer is that baseball is a blessing. Day-by-day, I, and millions others, receive an opportunity to experience the ups and down of a team - my team, my Tigers.
Ah, precious baseball returns. And, that my friends, makes me smile. I know, it isn't long before we will again feel that warmth of a hot summer night as cracks of a bat are mixed with horns and howls, cries and cheers. Ah, yes, it is a game that truly delivers.
To build on my words, I have included a series of some of my favorite quotes about baseball. Enjoy.
"I see great things in baseball. It's our game - the American game. It will take our people out-of-doors, fill them with oxygen, give them a larger physical stoicism. Tend to relieve us from being a nervous, dyspeptic set. Repair these losses, and be a blessing to us."
~Walt Whitman
"Baseball? It's just a game - as simple as a ball and a bat. Yet, as complex as the American spirit it symbolizes. It's a sport, business - and sometimes even religion."
~Ernie Harwell, "The Game for All America," 1955
"Baseball, almost alone among our sports, traffics unashamedly and gloriously in nostalgia, for only baseball understands time and treats it with respect. The history of other sports seems to begin anew with each generation, but baseball, that wondrous myth of twentieth century America, gets passed on like an inheritance."
~Stanley Cohen
"It is the best of all games for me. It frequently escapes from the pattern of sport and assumes the form of a virile ballet. It is purer than any dance because the actions of the players are not governed by music or crowded into a formula by a director. The movement is natural and unrehearsed and controlled only by the unexpected flight of the ball."
~Jimmy Cannon
"Baseball, like Pericles' Athens (or any other good society), is simultaneously democratic and aristocratic. Anyone can enjoy it, but the more you apply yourself, the more you enjoy it. "
~ George Will
"Baseball, it is said, is only a game. True. And the Grand Canyon is only a hole in Arizona."
~ George F. Will, Men at Work: The Craft of Baseball, 1990
"Why does everybody stand up and sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" when they're already there?"
~ Larry Anderson
"I don't want to play golf. When I hit a ball, I want someone else to go chase it."
~ Rogers Hornsby
"The other sports are just sports. Baseball is a love."
~ Bryant Gumbel, 1981
"With those who don't give a damn about baseball, I can only sympathize. I do not resent them. I am even willing to concede that many of them are physically clean, good to their mothers and in favor of world peace. But while the game is on, I can't think of anything to say to them."
~ Art Hill
"That's baseball, and it's my game. Y' know, you take your worries to the game, and you leave 'em there. You yell like crazy for your guys. It's good for your lungs, gives you a lift, and nobody calls the cops. Pretty girls, lots of 'em."
~ Humphrey Bogart
"Baseball players are smarter than football players. How often do you see a baseball team penalized for too many men on the field?"
~Jim Bouton, 1988
"Baseball is an allegorical play about America, a poetic, complex, and subtle play of courage, fear, good luck, mistakes, patience about fate, and sober self-esteem."
~ Saul Steinberg
And perhaps my favorite --
"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone.
~ A. Bartlett Giamatti, 'The Green Fields of the Mind,' Yale Alumni Magazine, November 1977
Every day, I check the Detroit News and Detroit Free Press, mlb.com and a few other assorted websites for fresh news about baseball and particularly my Detroit Tigers.
I am not sure what drives my passion for the Tigers or the game itself, but it is a fever that stays hot and intensifies in February.
My spirit and optimism grows as opening day hits and culminates with the World Series, after which I feel some effects of withdrawal with the end of the season. But, then before you know it, February has arrived and pitchers and catchers report. Baseball is back.
No matter what words I use to describe my feeling for the game, the best I can offer is that baseball is a blessing. Day-by-day, I, and millions others, receive an opportunity to experience the ups and down of a team - my team, my Tigers.
Ah, precious baseball returns. And, that my friends, makes me smile. I know, it isn't long before we will again feel that warmth of a hot summer night as cracks of a bat are mixed with horns and howls, cries and cheers. Ah, yes, it is a game that truly delivers.
To build on my words, I have included a series of some of my favorite quotes about baseball. Enjoy.
"I see great things in baseball. It's our game - the American game. It will take our people out-of-doors, fill them with oxygen, give them a larger physical stoicism. Tend to relieve us from being a nervous, dyspeptic set. Repair these losses, and be a blessing to us."
~Walt Whitman
"Baseball? It's just a game - as simple as a ball and a bat. Yet, as complex as the American spirit it symbolizes. It's a sport, business - and sometimes even religion."
~Ernie Harwell, "The Game for All America," 1955
"Baseball, almost alone among our sports, traffics unashamedly and gloriously in nostalgia, for only baseball understands time and treats it with respect. The history of other sports seems to begin anew with each generation, but baseball, that wondrous myth of twentieth century America, gets passed on like an inheritance."
~Stanley Cohen
"It is the best of all games for me. It frequently escapes from the pattern of sport and assumes the form of a virile ballet. It is purer than any dance because the actions of the players are not governed by music or crowded into a formula by a director. The movement is natural and unrehearsed and controlled only by the unexpected flight of the ball."
~Jimmy Cannon
"Baseball, like Pericles' Athens (or any other good society), is simultaneously democratic and aristocratic. Anyone can enjoy it, but the more you apply yourself, the more you enjoy it. "
~ George Will
"Baseball, it is said, is only a game. True. And the Grand Canyon is only a hole in Arizona."
~ George F. Will, Men at Work: The Craft of Baseball, 1990
"Why does everybody stand up and sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" when they're already there?"
~ Larry Anderson
"I don't want to play golf. When I hit a ball, I want someone else to go chase it."
~ Rogers Hornsby
"The other sports are just sports. Baseball is a love."
~ Bryant Gumbel, 1981
"With those who don't give a damn about baseball, I can only sympathize. I do not resent them. I am even willing to concede that many of them are physically clean, good to their mothers and in favor of world peace. But while the game is on, I can't think of anything to say to them."
~ Art Hill
"That's baseball, and it's my game. Y' know, you take your worries to the game, and you leave 'em there. You yell like crazy for your guys. It's good for your lungs, gives you a lift, and nobody calls the cops. Pretty girls, lots of 'em."
~ Humphrey Bogart
"Baseball players are smarter than football players. How often do you see a baseball team penalized for too many men on the field?"
~Jim Bouton, 1988
"Baseball is an allegorical play about America, a poetic, complex, and subtle play of courage, fear, good luck, mistakes, patience about fate, and sober self-esteem."
~ Saul Steinberg
And perhaps my favorite --
"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone.
~ A. Bartlett Giamatti, 'The Green Fields of the Mind,' Yale Alumni Magazine, November 1977
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)