SPORTS FEEVER by Chris Fee of KROX Radio – chrisjfee@yahoo.com
A quick Section 8A Girls Hockey schedule update.
The Section 8A Girls Hockey semi-finals will be played on Saturday, February 10 at 2:00 and 4:30 PM at the Crookston Sports Center.
The Section 8A Girls Hockey championship will be played on Thursday, February 15 at 7:00 PM at the Crookston Sports Center.
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What does a win mean? Some wins are bigger than others, and that was the case for the Crookston Pirate Boys Hockey team on Tuesday night when they beat Park Rapids 2-1 in overtime.
The win snapped Park Rapids’ 12-game unbeaten streak (which surprised the heck out of me when I saw that, granted they haven’t played Warroad, EGF, TRF, or DL in that stretch). They snapped Crookston’s overtime winless streak at 0-6-1 over their last seven OT games.
Most importantly, the win gave Crookston a must-win if they wanted a shot at the fifth seed. The Pirates will take on Lake of the Woods and Red Lake Falls in the last two games of the regular season, and with two wins, they could be the fifth seed. On the flip side, if Red Lake Falls wins the rest of their section games, including the Crookston game on February 13, they could get the fourth seed.
Red Lake Falls beat Park Rapids on Tuesday night with ease, and right now, I would put my money on Red Lake Falls getting the fourth seed, but I think it all hinges on the RLF vs Crookston game. It will be a playoff game atmosphere and WILL make a difference in seeding.
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Girls basketball has less than a month left in the season and it is getting down to nitty gritty time. Teams want to be playing well as they enter the playoffs and every game is important as the QRF is always watching!!!
SECTION 8AA GIRLS BASKETBALL
Here is how the QRF has Section 8AA girls basketball as of Wednesday.
1.Perham 17-3 (114.6)
2. Barnesville 12-5 (101.9)
3. Menahga 17-1 (92.8)
4. Pelican Rapids 17-2 (92.3)
5. East Grand Forks 16-5 (90.4)
6. Hawley 9-9 (66.9)
7. Wadena-Deer Creek 11-8 (66.1)
8. Park Rapids 8-10 (60.7)
9. Frazee 8-7 (56.4)
10. Dilworth-G-F 5-13 (50.3)
11. Roseau 7-13 (41.2)
12. Thief River Falls 3-14 (38.5)
13. Crookston 3-16 (35.7)
14. Warroad 3-15 (26.3)
Here is what I see right now. Barnesville is the top team right now. They have beaten Perham twice and will have the tie-breaker. Barnesville is the best team right now (in my opinion), by a small margin, as they have beaten Perham twice by 7 and 3 points.
Barnesville doesn’t play Menagha. Actually, Menagha only plays one of the top four teams in the section, and that is Pelican Rapids in the last regular season game, and that will definitely have seeding implications.
The third through the five seed will be a battle between Menahga, Pelican Rapids, and East Grand Forks. A lot of the other seeds are still up in the air, and February will prove to be an important month for all the teams.
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SECTION 8A GIRLS BASKETBALL –
WEST SUBSECTION –
Here is how the west sub-section looks according to the QRF –
1. Sacred Heart 16-1 (84.3)
2. Kittson Co. Central 14-3 (74.7)
3. Northern Freeze 14-4 (66.2)
4. BGMR 10-6 (59.5)
5. Warren-A-O 12-7 (55.5)
6. Stephen-Argyle 6-7 (54.4)
7. Climax-Fisher 8-10 (49.2)
8. Goodridge/Grygla 6-10 (35.4)
9. Red Lake Falls 3-14 (28.5)
10. Red Lake County Central 1-18 (24.0)
Here is what I think.
Sacred Heart has two games that will either keep them at the top seed or drop them. It is the game with Kittson Country Central on February 12 at East Grand Forks. The game will likely be for the top seed in the west. They also host Badger/Greenbush-Middle River on February 19. Those two games will be big for all teams involved.
Everything is still wide open and every game in February is an important one.
EAST SUBSECTION –
Here is how the west sub-section looks according to the QRF –
1.Fosston 18-1 (86.1)
2. Kelliher/Northome 14-3 (76.5)
3. Cass Lake-Bena 11-4 (70.4)
4. Blackduck 11-8 (45.0)
5. Mahnomen/Waubun 7-15 (36.3)
6. Win-E-Mac 5-13 (33.9)
7. Clearbrook-Gonvick 6-12 (33.0)
8. Bagley 5-13 (31.2)
9. Red Lake 4-13 (25.8)
10. Lake of the Woods 2-15 (21.7)
Fosston has cemented themselves as the top seed with a two point victory over Kelliher/Northome on Tuesday. So that is pretty much a certainty at this point.
Kelliher/Northome beat Cass Lake-Bena earlier this season and they meet again February 22. Right now KN seems to be the second seed, but whoever wins the second meeting will likely get the second spot. There is nobody close to the top three so it is a wide-open battle for the fourth seed.
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The UMC Golden Eagle Women’s basketball team started the season on a great note and were 6-3 in conference play and looking pretty good. But the schedule tilted, and they had tougher opponents along with some injuries and have lost six in a row. They have lost those six games by an average of 26.5 points per game. The point deficit is the major source of concern.
The six losses are to the following –
Mankato is the top team at 14-1 in the conference.
Sioux Falls is 5-9 in conference play and below UMC. That was a tough loss.
Southwest Minnesota State is 11-3 in the NSIC in third place
Concordia-St. Paul is 11-4 in fourth place
UM-Duluth is 9-6 in the NSIC.
MSU-Moorhead is 8-7, right ahead of UMC.
UMC’s schedule doesn’t get easier as they host St. Cloud State on Thursday. They have some games they can/should win the rest of the way with BSU, Northern State, Augustana, Wayne State, and Winona. And another game with Mankato.
The top 12 teams make it, so UMC shouldn’t have to worry about that, but they will want to finish strong in the final month of the season. Every game will be a big game for seeding purposes.
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The UMC Golden Eagle Men’s basketball team is currently 3-12 in conference play and sitting in 14th place out of 15 teams. They are only one win out of a playoff birth! UMC had an important win over Concordia-St. Paul on Saturday in St. Paul, and now they host St. Cloud State on Thursday. The Huskies are 4-10 on the year, and UMC, with a win, could put themselves in a great position to make the playoffs as the top 12 teams make the tournament.
Let’s take a look at the remaining schedule for UMC.
St. Cloud State is 4-10 in the NSIC, and UMC lost to them 64-60 in St. Cloud. Must win
Bemidji State is 6-8 in the NSIC. They beat UMC 63-62 in Bemidji. Another must win
Northern State is 5-9 in the NSIC. UMC beat them 71-64 earlier. It would be a big win
Augustana is 8-6 in the NSIC. They beat UMC the first time. It would be a tough win.
Wayne State is 5-9 in the NSIC. They beat UMC 62-53 in Wayne, which was closer than that.
#5 ranked Mankato is 13-2 in the NSIC and will be a tough game for UMC.
Winona State is 8-7 in the NSIC. UMC beat them 77-69. It would be another big win on the road.
As you can see, Coach Brian Beamish could lead his team to the playoffs, which would be huge. Especially when you consider he is missing three scholarship players to injury and one player, Chandler Meeks, who would be one of the top players in the NSIC. It will be fun to see what the men do, but it all starts with a big game vs St. Cloud State on Thursday night at Lysaker Gym in Crookston.
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The University of Minnesota Crookston tennis team was picked to finish eighth of 10 teams in the 2024 NSIC Women’s Tennis Preseason Coaches’ Poll.
The Golden Eagles showed great improvement in 2023 with a 7-10 (2-9 NSIC) mark. Minnesota Crookston had their best season in program history. Minnesota Crookston has a strong core returning led by All-NSIC selection Madeleine Schneider (Sr., Gartringen, Germany), who went 14-3 (8-3 NSIC) in singles, and 9-8 (4-7 NSIC) in doubles. The Golden Eagles return Kavya Singh (Jr., Agra, India) went 7-8 at No. 3 singles. Blaike Zander (Jr., Bismarck, N.D.) posted four wins at No. 2 singles in 2023. Kaydance Hinn (Jr., Coon Rapids) returns after picking up three wins in doubles last season. In addition to the returners, the Golden Eagles bring in newcomers Nadia Cases Mundet (Fr., Barcelona, Spain), Daniela de Lucas Rivera (Fr., Madrid, Spain), Hannah DeLong (Fr., Sacred Heart), and Ariadna Solis Guals (Fr., Santpedor, Spain).
Augustana University was picked to win the conference, while Minnesota State University was selected to finish second. Florentia Hadjigeorgiou was picked as the NSIC Preseason Player of the Year.
Teams – (first-place votes) – Points
1. Augustana (9) 81
2. MSU-Mankato (1) 71
3. U of Mary 65
4. Sioux Falls 56
5. Winona State 41
6. St. Cloud State 37
7. MSU-Moorhead 29
8. UM-Crookston 24
9. UM-Duluth 24
10. Bemidji State 20
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The Minnesota State High School League Board of Directors will meet on Thursday morning. Below is items from the meeting agenda.
Action Items
Martens A. Conference Placement
MSHSL Staff B. Fall Activity Advisory Proposals
i. Soccer
ii. Girls Tennis
iii. Volleyball
iv. Football
Discussion Items
Martens/Staff A. Representative Assembly Proposals
i. Bylaw 208.02: Gymnastics
ii. Bylaw 522.07: Dance Team
Smokrovich/Martens B. Adoption of Programs: Sunset Draft
Martens C. 9th Grade Governance
Martens/Quednow D. Competitive Section Placement: Boys Volleyball
Committee Reports
A. Eligibility Committee
B. Audit/Finance Committee
C. Marketing and Communications Committee
D. Education and Leadership Committee
Information Items
A. Board Workshop: Wednesday, March 6, 2024, 2 p.m.
B. NFHS Summer Meeting: June 28-July 1, 2024 – Boston, MA
C. 2024 Board Workshop and Meeting: July 28-July 30, 2024
NEXT MEETING: Thursday, April 4, 2024, 9:30 a.m.
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At its Winter meetings in Orlando, Florida, the USA Hockey Congress approved legislation that will require the use of neck laceration protection (neck guards) for players in all age classifications, other than adults, as well as for all on-ice officials under the age of 18. Neck guards will be required effective August 1, 2024 and must be worn during all games and practices. Minnesota Hockey, as an affiliate member of USA Hockey, adheres to the rules and regulations as put forth by USA Hockey. Today’s rule change will apply to all of Minnesota Hockey’s (13) Districts and (130) plus member Associations.
USA Hockey has long recommended the use of neck laceration protection as well as cut resistant protection for other vulnerable areas of the body. In November 2023, the USA Hockey Safety and Protective Equipment Committee, at the request of the USA Hockey Board of Directors, began looking at potential rule modifications specifically related to neck laceration protection. The work of this committee and their overall evaluation was instrumental in forming the rule changes adopted today during USA Hockey’s Congress.
“The safety of our members has always been paramount and will remain at the forefront of our efforts now and into the future,” said MN Hockey President Steve Oleheiser. “We will continue to work closely with all relevant stakeholders close to and affected by this rule adoption as we work through its implementation as a mandatory equipment item.”
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MILESTONES –
Connor Duden (Red Lake County), a sophomore, scored the 1,000th point of his career in a victory over Roseau last week.
Ryan Lund (Warroad) recorded the 100th point of his career in a win over Roseau on Hockey Day Minnesota.
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The latest Minnesota High School sports rankings are available by clicking the link below.
Minnesota High School Rankings – KROX (kroxam.com)
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The Crookston Pirate Winter Sports Schedules are available on our website. Click on the link below –
CROOKSTON PIRATE WINTER SPORTS SCHEDULES – KROX (kroxam.com)
JOKES
Sam has been in business for 25 years and is finally sick of the stress. He quits his job and buys 50 acres in Alaska as far from humanity as possible. He sees the postman once a week and gets groceries once a month. Otherwise it’s total peace and quiet. After six months or so of almost total isolation, someone knocks on his door. He opens it and there’s a big, bearded man standing there.
“Name’s Lars …Your neighbor from forty miles away….Having a birthday party Friday … Thought you might like to come. About 5…
“Great,” says Sam, “after six months out here I’m ready to meet some local folks. Thank you.”
As Lars is leaving, he stops. “Gotta warn you…There’s gonna be some drinkin’.”
“Not a problem… after 25 years in business, I can drink with the best of em.”
Again, as he starts to leave, Lars stops. “More’n’likely gonna be some fightin’ too.”
Sam says, “Well, I get along with people. I’ll be there. Thanks again.”
Once again Lars turns from the door. “I’ve seen some wild sex at these parties, too.”
“Now that’s really not a problem,” says Sam. “I’ve been all alone for six months! I’ll definitely be there. By the way, what should I bring?”
Lars stops in the door again and says, “Whatever you want, just gonna be the two of us”.
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After church, little Johnny and his brother go ice fishing. Little Johnny starts drilling on the ice when a voice from above says, “Young man, there’s no fish down there.”Little Johnny asks his brother, “Who is that?”His brother replies, “I don’t know.”So little Johnny starts to drill again and the voice says again, “For the second time, there’s no fish down there.”Little Johnny asks his brother, “Could that be God?”His brother replies again, “I don’t know.” Little Johnny starts drilling again and the voice says once more, “Young man, for the last time, I’m telling you there’s no fish down there.”Johnny looks up and asks, “Is that you, God?” The voice says, “No, I’m the manager and the rink’s closed.”
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A man wakes up one morning to find a bear on his roof. So he looks in the Yellow Pages, and sure enough, there’s an ad for “Bear Removers.”
He calls the number, and the bear remover says he’ll be over in 30 minutes. The bear remover arrives and gets out of his van. He’s got a ladder, a baseball bat, a shotgun, and a mean old pit bull.
“What are you going to do?” the homeowner asks.
“I’m going to put this ladder up against the roof, then I’m going to go up there and knock the bear off the roof with this baseball bat. When the bear falls off, the pit bull is trained to grab his testicles and not let go. The bear will then be subdued enough for me to put him in the cage in the back of the van.”
He hands the shotgun to the homeowner.
“What’s the shotgun for?” asks the homeowner.
“If the bear knocks me off the roof, shoot the dog.”
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How are former Crookston Pirates athletes doing in college or elsewhere?
****LET ME KNOW OF OTHERS TO ADD TO THE LIST. Email me at chrisjfee@yahoo.com
Halle Bruggeman is a freshman on the University of Wisconsin-Stout Women’s Tennis team.
Grace Fischer is a freshman on the Concordia College (Moorhead) Women’s Golf team.
Ethan Boll is a Freshman on the University of North Dakota Football team.
Breanna Kressin is a Sophomore on the Hockey Cheer Team for THE University of Minnesota Golden Gopher Hockey team.
Emma Osborn is a Sophomore playing basketball at Northland Technical and Community College in Thief River Falls.
Jacey Larson is a Sophomore playing hockey at Dakota College at Bottineau.
Aleah Bienek is a Sophomore playing hockey at Trine University in Indiana.
Elise Tangquist is the Head Girls Golf Coach at Horace High School in Fargo, ND..
Kaleb Thingelstad is a junior playing golf at Kansas Wesleyan.
Joslynn Leach is a sophomore playing golf at Concordia College in Moorhead. The Cobbers wrapped up the Fall season.
Brady Butt is a Junior playing football at the University of Jamestown.
Ty Hamre is playing football at Bemidji State University.
Aleece Durbin is a Junior on the University of North Dakota Womens Track and Field team.
Elizabeth Erdman is a coach for the Moorhead Red Dragon swim team.
Crookston School District Coaches
Todd Miner is a Pirate Football assistant coach.
Ben Parkin is the head Pirate Baseball Coach.
Emily Meyer is the Pirate head girls hockey coach and softball assistant coach.
Jeremy Lubinski is a Pirate 8th Grade Football coach.
Amy Boll is the head Pirate Girls Track head coach
Sarah Reese is the Pirate Head Girls Soccer coach
Marley Melbye is the Head Girls Swimming coach and assistant girls golf coach
Jeff Perreault is the Pirate Girls Golf head coach
Wes Hanson is the Pirate Wrestling Head Coach and assistant boys golf coach
Kevin Weber is a Pirate Boys Basketball volunteer assistant coach
Connor Morgan is the Pirate Boys Hockey assistant coach
Sam Melbye is the Pirate Boys J.V. Hockey coach
Chris Dufault is a youth wrestling Coach
Colton Weiland is an assistant wrestling coach
Non-Crookston High School coaching/Admin/etc
Tim Desrosier is an Assistant Coach for Warren-Alvarado-Oslo Pony Boys Basketball
Pat Wolfe is the head wrestling coach for Fosston/Bagley.
Austin Sommerfeld is an Assistant Athletic Director for Strategic Communication at the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth.
Collin Reynolds is the head baseball coach for the University of Colorado Buffalo Club Baseball team.
Trent Stahlecker is a School Security Specialist & he works for the Brevard Public Schools, Florida.
Cody Weiland is an assistant wrestling coach at Proctor/Hermantown.
Josh Edlund is the head football coach and phy ed teacher at Flandreau, South Dakota.
Allison Lindsey Axness is Assistant Varsity Volleyball Coach at Champlin Park
Jeff Olson is the Head Wrestling Coach and Head Baseball coach at Delano.
Jake Olson is an Assistant Football Coach and Head Boys Tennis coach at Delano.
Katy (Westrom) Horgen is the Head Boys Tennis coach at Monticello High School.
Matt Harris is an Assistant Principal/Athletic Director at Saguaro High School in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Marty Bratrud is the Superintendent and High School Principal at Westhope High School.
Gordie Haug is an assistant football coach at the University of Wyoming.
Mike Hastings is the Wisconsin Badgers Men’s head Hockey coach.
Mike Biermaier is the Athletic Director at Grand Forks Schools.
Stephanie (Lindsay) Perreault works with the North Dakota State stats crew for Bison football, volleyball, and basketball in the winter. Stephanie’s husband, Ryan, is the assistant director for Bison media relations.
Jason Bushie is the hockey athletic trainer at Colorado College.
Chris Myrold is the Director and Fitness at Mission Ranch and Fitness in Camel, California.
Kyle Buchmeier is a Tennis Pro at the Reed-Sweatt Family Tennis Center in Minneapolis
Ben Andringa is serving our country in the Army and is now a Ranger.
Jarrett Butenhoff is serving our country with the U.S. Navy.
Joshua Butenhoff is serving our country on a Submarine with the Pacific Fleet with the US Navy.
Peter Cournia is a 2002 Crookston High School Graduate and a grad of West Point and currently serving in the U.S. Army.
Erik Ellingson is serving our country with the U.S. Air Force at Minot.
Philip Kujawa class of 2004, from Crookston High School. He is an Army recruiter in Rochester.
Rob Sobolik is the General Manager of the Fargodome
That’s it for this week. Thanks for the comments, and if you have anything to add or share, please e-mail chrisjfee@yahoo.com or call. Thanks for reading and listening to KROX RADIO and kroxam.com.
