I don’t know what to tell you as I open this column. Here is what happened from Noon on Wednesday to 10:00 p.m. on Wednesday.
1. The NCAA has announced there will be no fans allowed to the biggest event in sports – March Madness!
2. The NBA suspended the season.
3. The Big 10, ACC, Big 12 Conference Basketball tournaments have announced there will be no fans allowed at their basketball tournaments, starting on Thursday.
4. The NCHC tournament won’t allow fans at their tournament games.
5. NCAA Division I and II wrestling championships won’t allow fans (D-I is at U.S. Bank Stadium)
6. Penn State won’t allow fans at their playoff hockey game vs the University of Minnesota. (Good news – the Gophers are used to not playing in front of fans anyway so they should handle it better than Penn State)
7. Ohio State has canceled its spring football game.
8. Tom Hanks and his wife along with Rudy Gobert of the Utah Jazz test positive for the Coronavirus.
9. The University of Minnesota will move to online classes only through April 1.
That is a small list of what happened in a 10-hour span!
What is up in the air at this point –
1. Is the Minnesota State Boys Basketball tournament going to be held??
2. Will spring sports be played – In college, will the spring sports get to finish their season? If the Coronavirus continues to spread, one would think NO.
3. EVERYTHING ELSE we know is up in the air. The way the last 24 hours have gone, I have a feeling we are going to see something we HAVEN’T seen before in my lifetime.
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If you’re wondering if the Minnesota State High School League is going to cancel the boy’s state basketball tournament next weekend…….
At this point, there is no recommendation from the Minnesota Department of Health to cancel anything. That could change by Tuesday of next week. The only thing I can tell you is stay tuned.
If the MSHSL State Boys Basketball tournament goes as planned, KROX Radio will broadcast games at the state tournament for the 59th straight year!!!!
Leo Blavin and I will be broadcasting the following games –
Wednesday, March 18 – The Section 8AA team’s game at 6 or 8 pm
Thursday, March 19 – The Section 8A team’s game
Friday, March 20 – The Class A semi-finals at Noon and 2 p.m. and if Section 8AA wins their first round game, we will carry their semi-final game on Friday night at 6 or 8 p.m.
Saturday, March 21 – The class A and AA championship games.
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Minnesota State High School League Communications Director Tim Leighton has said the State Girls State Basketball tournament is on as scheduled and the league will send out updates if anything changes.
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The Section 8A Boys Basketball championship will be held on Friday at 7:00 p.m. at Ralph Englestad Arena with #3 ranked Ada-Borup/West playing Cass Lake-Bena for the third straight year.
KROX Radio (Leo Blavin and I) will broadcast the game. We will have the pre-game show at 6:30 p.m. and the opening tip at 7:00 p.m. You can listen on KROX Radio, online at www.kroxam.com and clicking on the listen live, on the free KROX app (in the Apple app and Google Play stores) and on Alexa (Listen to KROX in Crookston).
I asked Region 8A Executive Director Jim Weinzierl if the game is on as scheduled. His response is below –
Chris,
As of 10:00 p.m. Wednesday, the 8A Boys Basketball championship game is still on schedule for 7:00 p.m.on Friday.
I will let all of our schools and the Media outlets know ASAP if there are any changes.
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March Madness MIGHT begin next week and there are some local ties to a few teams if you want somebody to cheer for.
Utah State’s head coach Craig Smith is bringing his team to the big dance for the second straight year. Smith is an Stephen native and Stephen High School grad and also a University of North Dakota grad. He climbed up the coaching ranks and started as an assistant for Tim Miles at Mayville State, NDSU, Colorado State and Nebraska. Smith was the head coach at South Dakota for several years before taking over at Utah State.
Craig is the brother of Nate Smith (works for Polk County) and brother-in-law of Dr. Angie Smith (Crookston Eye Clinic).
NDSU won the Summitt League on Tuesday night. They have some local flavor with Jaxon Knotek is the son of Crookston Central High School graduate Tim and Crystal Knotek and grandson of Dale and Mary Ann Knotek!
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Roseau’s Katie Borowicz announced this week that she had committed to play basketball for the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers and Lindsey Whalen.
Katie’s numbers are nothing less than impressive!
Games Played = 144
Career Points = 2,460
Rebounds = 690
Steals = 650
Assists = 726
I asked Roseau Ram Girls Basketball coach Kelsey Didrickson for her thoughts on Katie’s announcement (and for the stats listed above) and her response is below –
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Crookston summer JO volleyball sign-up meeting/informational meeting for grades 5-8 will be held on Wednesday, March 18 at 5:30 p.m. at Crookston High School commons. The deadline for registration is Friday, March 20 so it is important to attend this meeting. Any question please call 651-206-8240.
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University of North Dakota Director of Athletics Bill Chaves announced Wednesday that Travis Brewster will not return as head coach of the women’s basketball program for the 2020-2021 season.
I wonder if Chavez realizes Brewster doesn’t coach the men’s team that got hammered by NDSU on Tuesday night? (For those that don’t get sarcasm….I am joking!)
According to Tom Miller of the Grand Forks Herald – Brewster had one year left on his contract and will get $81,250 (half of his base salary).
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The Crookston Pirate Boys Basketball team wrapped up their season last week with a loss at Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton in the first round of the playoffs. Crookston played a solid first half and probably played harder than they had on the defensive end most of the year which was nice to see.
While they didn’t have the year (wins and losses wise) they had hoped, there were some highlights. Caden Osborn reached the 1,000 point mark and a few games later he broke the Crookston Boys Basketball career rebounding record. Jack Garmen broke the single-season charges taken record.
There were some big games offensively with Caden Osborn scoring 35 points in a game. Caden wasn’t 100 percent in the last several weeks which hampered the Pirates.
The Pirates say goodbye to six seniors – Caden Osborn, Walker Winjum, Brady Butt, Quinn Winand, Joseph Ramirez, and Cooper Brown. That is a pretty solid group and a lot of minutes to replace with the loss of Osborn and Winjum!
Caden Osborn was a treat to watch. He is a kid that made himself into a very good basketball player. He worked hard in the offseason and was an undersized post player. You wouldn’t know he was undersized if you just looked at his numbers. He is a great kid and will be missed next year. Walker Winjum is another great kid that gave it 100 percent every time he stepped on the floor. He is not only a pretty good athlete, but he is a member of the top knowledge bowl team in NW Minnesota and the state!
The other Pirate senior that played some minutes this year was Brady Butt. When he got some minutes he played hard and he was another great kid to have on the team.
The Pirates weren’t deep this year and will have to have a lot of guys work hard in the offseason if they want to have a decent year next year. They will have to work hard in the offseason to get in shape so they can get quicker, work harder, and be more effective on the defensive end. They struggled on the defensive end and that wasn’t a secret to anybody that watched. They have average athleticism but need to work harder (leads to playing better defense) and that starts with working hard in the offseason and getting in better shape. The good news, working hard in the offseason and during the season is an easy fix.
The Junior Varsity and C-Squad teams struggled this year, but if they can get the guys to show up to skills and drills all summer, work out, and work on their game all summer long, they could be a pretty good team. Again it comes down to working their butts off in the off-season.
What the returners need to do –
1. Get faster and stronger
2. Get in better shape
3. Work on skills
4. Get faster and stronger
5. Get in better shape
6. Work on skills
7. Did I say get bigger, faster, and stronger?
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The Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs (a professional hockey team in the Southern Professional Hockey League based in Roanoke, Virginia) have announced the addition of three rookies to their roster and one of them is Crookston High School grad, Brady Heppner.
Heppner arrives following the conclusion of his college career at Saint John’s University. The Crookston native tallied eight goals and 13 assists over 26 games during his senior season in 2019-20. He led his team in goals in both his sophomore and junior year and over 99 career games with the Johnnies, Heppner had 42 goals and 40 assists in his career.
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The University of Minnesota Crookston baseball team opens up NSIC play Saturday, March 14 and Sunday, March 15 at Louhgrey Field in Winona. The Golden Eagles will play a three-game series with the Warriors.
UMC is 8-5 to open the 2020 season while Winona State is 6-8 overall, but the ‘real” season begins this weekend for both teams.
UMC comes into NSIC play hitting an impressive .324 at the plate with 101 runs scored, 22 doubles, seven triples, 18 home runs, and 89 RBIs. The Golden Eagles have been led by the play of Scott Finberg (Sr., 3B, Stillwater), who is hitting .383 with 14 runs scored, three doubles, five home runs, and 15 RBIs. Junior college transfer Brad Morris (Jr., OF, Auckland, New Zealand) comes in hitting .382 with 13 runs scored, five doubles, one triple, and eight RBIs. Reining NSIC Player of the Week Brock Reller (Jr., OF, Grand Forks, N.D.) is coming off a great week in Florida, as he is hitting .360 with 15 runs scored, two doubles, four triples, five home runs and 17 RBIs. In addition, Ben Bryant (R-So., 2B/SS, Fargo, N.D.) enters the weekend batting .353 with 10 runs scored, one doubles, and six RBIs.
On the mound, the Golden Eagles have a 4.05 ERA as a squad. Matt Nelson (So., RHP, Afton), has been strong on the bump with a 1-0 mark and a 1.98 ERA in 13.2 innings pitched with 19 strikeouts and four walks. Opponents are hitting just .180 against Nelson. Conner Richardson (So., RHP, Grand Forks, N.D.) is an unblemished 3-0 with a 2.57 ERA in 21.0 innings pitched with seven strikeouts and five walks. Jayden Grover (Sr., RHP, Cooperstown, N.D.) has also been impressive, going 2-1 with a 3.86 ERA in 23.1 innings with 26 strikeouts and seven walks. Grover is six strikeouts from surpassing Zach Seipel for the all-time strikeouts record at Minnesota Crookston.
Sat., March 14 – at Winona State, 12 p.m., Winona, Minn.
Sat., March 14 – at Winona State, 2 p.m., Winona, Minn.
Sun., March 15 – at Winona State, 12 p.m., Winona, Minn.
Winona State University comes into the weekend with a 6-8 mark overall. The Warriors had one game remaining in Florida against Florida Southern College, at the time of press. Winona State has gone 1-3 in games in Florida.
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University of Minnesota Crookston men’s basketball player Harrison Cleary (Sr., G, Oak Creek, Wis.) was named to the CoSIDA Academic All-America Team Selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America. Cleary earned Academic All-America Second Team honors. Cleary is the first men’s basketball player to earn the award in the NCAA Division II era (since 1999). Cleary joins Matt Borowicz (football) and Jesse Jennings (baseball) as Academic All-Americans for the university since 2012.
Cleary has a 3.68 GPA in Sport and Recreation Management with a minor in Marketing. He was a CoSIDA Academic All-District pick for the 2019-20 season. Cleary had an illustrious career with the Golden Eagles as he finished with 16th-most points in NCAA Division II history, notching 2,846 career points. Cleary is the NSIC’s all-time leading scorer with 2,107 career points. He finished his career at Minnesota Crookston as the all-time leading scorer, assist man, all-time leader for three-pointers made, three-pointers attempted, field goals made, field goals attempted, free throws made, free throws attempted, free throw percentage, games played, and games started. He had the single-game high for the program with 52 points in a win over Wayne State College (Neb.) as a senior. Cleary was the NCAA Division II free throw percentage statistical champion as a sophomore and junior. Cleary was a three-time All-NSIC First Team pick. He has been a staple on the NSIC All-Academic Team, and on the Dean’s List at Minnesota Crookston.
Cleary was one of two NSIC players to earn the accolade, along with Winona State University’s Caleb Wagner, who also earned Academic All-America Second Team honors. They were joined on the Second Team by Nathan Davis of Seton Hill University, and Andrew Sischo of Daemen College.
FIRST TEAM
Dalton Bolon (2) West Liberty University Gr. 3.85 Biology
Kevin Buckingham (3) Southeastern Oklahoma St. Sr. 3.68 Health & Human Performance
Tyler Cartaino (2) Chaminade University Gr. 3.83/3.50 Accounting
Gabe Kynard Lake Erie College Sr. 3.85 Accounting
KJ Lesure University of Arkansas at Monticello Sr. 4.00 Interdisciplinary Studies
Peyton Wejnert (2) Pace University Sr. 3.89 Finance
SECOND TEAM
Harrison Cleary University of Minnesota, Crookston Sr. 3.68 Sports & Rec Management
Nathan Davis (1) Seton Hill University Sr. 3.96 Spanish
Andrew Sischo Daemen College Sr. 3.40 Sport Management
Caleb Wagner Winona State University Sr. 3.69 Finance
THIRD TEAM
Tom Brown Le Moyne College Sr. 3.83 Information Systems & Marketing
Luke Gibson (3) Newberry College Sr. 3.97 Accounting
Elijah Jenkins Embry-Riddle University (Fla.) Sr. 3.96 Mechanical Engineering
John Paul Kromka University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown So. 3.92 Engineering
Selom Mawugbe Azusa Pacific University Sr. 3.51 Biology
Tyler Riemersma Augustana University Jr. 3.86 Data Science
CoSIDA Academic All-America® Team Member of the Year: Peyton Wejnert, Pace University
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Two area athletes received MIAC post-season awards.
Autumn Thompson of Argyle (Stephen-Argyle) and currently playing basketball at Concordia College in Moorhead was named to the MIAC All-Conference first team. It is good to see Autumn has fully recovered from the knee injury in high school and is playing at a high level in Division III. The following is from the Cobber website –
Thompson was the team’s main outside scoring threat and had a 12.7 ppg average in MIAC play. She put up double-digit point totals in 15 games. Thompson’s career-high came against St. Catherine when she dropped 26 points in the record-setting four-overtime win. She had four 20-point games and finished the year by posting at least 20 points in three of the last four games.
Thompson’s main weapon was making shots from outside the arc where she finished second in the MIAC with 52 made 3-pointers. She shot 39.7% from long range in conference play and had at least one 3-pointer in all but one conference game she played. Thompson made at least three 3-pointers in 10 games.
Thompson was also the workhorse of the team as she led the conference in minutes played (690).
Elizabeth Birkemeyer of Ada (Ada-Borup) was named to the All-Sportsmanship team. Thank goodness Elizabeth takes after her mother and not her father????.
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Congratulations to Roseau Ram Boys Hockey Assistant Coach, Jared Gustafson on being named the Section 8AA Assistant Coach of the Year.
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The Northern Galaxy Girls Basketball Conference has announced the 2019-2020 All-Conference teams.
Conference champion: Red Lake County Central
ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM:
Kia Bachand – Red Lake County Central
Jenna Pahlen – Red Lake County Central
Rylie Mortimer – Warren-Alvarado-Oslo
Mackenzie Roller – Warren-Alvarado-Oslo
Shelby Durand – Warren-Alvarado-Oslo
Caitlyn Jacobson – Goodridge-Grygla
Clara Girdler – Red Lake Falls
Keylee Dahl – Northern Freeze
Ivy Edwards – Sacred Heart
Sydney Lloyd – Sacred Heart
Riley Mooney – Stephen-Argyle
HONORABLE MENTION TEAM:
Olivia Bulger – Red Lake Falls
Kylie Hanson – Warren-Alvarado-Oslo
Maddi Mitzel – Sacred Heart
Cari Bachand – Red Lake County Central
Calyssa Eskeli – Red Lake County Central
Offensive Player of the Year – JENNA PAHLEN-RLCC
Co-Defensive Player of the Year –JENNA PAHLEN-RLCC and IVY EDWARDS-Sacred Heart
Coach of the Year – MARK BAGAASON-RLCC
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MILESTONES –
Jenna Pahlen of Red Lake County Central finished her career with a rare accomplishment. She recorded her 1,000th career rebound vs BGMR in the section 8A semi-finals. She finished her career with 1,618 pts and 1,007 rebounds.
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The Minnesota High School Girls Basketball Coaches Association has announced their All-State basketball teams for each class with several area players making the impressive list. The players are nominated by the coaches and the coaches throughout the state in the respective class vote on the teams. The Class AA and Class A players from the area are listed below –
Class AA All-State –
Katie Borowicz – Roseau
Class AA Honorable Mention –
Ellie Colbeck – Fergus Falls
Sabrina Fronning – Fergus Falls
Paige Thompson – Hawley
Greta Tollefson – Pelican Rapids
Emma Borowicz – Crookston
Class A All-State –
Karley Motschenbacher – Park Christian
Brianna Raddatz – Walker-Hackensack-Akeley
Kora Kritzberger – Ada-Borup
Class A Honorable Mention –
Megan Benjamin – Walker-Hackensack-Akeley
Justine Day – Walker-Hackensack-Akeley
Jenna Pahlen – Red Lake County Central
Keylee Dahl – Northern Freeze
Clara Girdler – Red Lake Falls
Rylie Mortimer – Warren-Alvarado-Oslo
One Class AA Honorable mention name of note to Crookston fans – Ellie Hasz of Pine City (Daughter of former Crookston Central High School grad and former baseball and basketball coach Ted Hasz)
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The Minnesota High School Boys Basketball Coaches Association recently announced the State and Section Academic team champions.
State Academic team champions –
A – Schaeffer Academy
AA – Minnewaska Area
AAA – Bemidji
AAAA – Owatonna
Section Academic team champions –
8A – Fosston (Coach Ben Hemberger)
8AA – Wadena-Deer Creek (Coach Kevin Tumberg)
8AAA – Bemidji (Coach Travis Peterson)
8AAAA – Moorhead (Coach Tyler Bormann)
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NORTH TRI-COUNTY BOYS BASKETBALL SENIOR SHOWCASE GAME
WHERE: Red Lake Falls High School
WHEN: Monday, March 23
TIME:
Sixth-grade future starts games start at 4:30 and run until 7:00 p.m.
Senior showcase game to start around 7:15 p.m.
COST: Adults $5 and Students $2. (Proceeds go towards conference expense)
Featuring North Tri-County senior athletes from – Clearbrook-Gonvick, Goodridge-Grygla, Red Lake County, and Sacred Heart.
OTHER ATTRACTIONS:
Three-point shootout
Buzzer beater
Dunk contest
Conference champion presentation
All-conference and Honorable mention teams announced
Concession stand available
50/50 Drawing
Half-court shot between quarters
Sixth Grade Future Stars Challenge games –
4:30-4:50 Sacred Heart vs. Red Lake County
4:55-5:15 Clearbrook-Gonvick vs. Goodridge-Grygla
5:20-5:40 Goodridge-Grygla vs. Red Lake County
5:40 Picture of all the teams
5:50-6:10 Clearbrook-Gonvick vs. Sacred Heart
6:15-6:35 Red Lake County vs. Clearbrook-Gonvick
6:40-7:00 Sacred Heart vs. Goodridge-Grygla
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The Minnesota State High School League Girls’ Basketball State Tournament is scheduled for March 11-14 at three venues in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Quarterfinals will be played at Williams Arena and Maturi Pavilion on the University of Minnesota campus in Minneapolis. All championship rounds will be played at Williams Arena and all consolation rounds and third-place games will be played at Concordia University in St. Paul. Here is a look at the tournament:
Fast Facts
Class A Quarterfinals Thursday, March 12
At Maturi Pavilion, University of Minnesota
Red Lake (21-9) vs. No. 1 seed Minneota (30-1), 11 a.m.
No. 5 Heritage Christian Academy, Maple Grove (22-7) vs. No. 4 Waterville-Elysian-Morristown (26-4) 1 p.m.
Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa (19-10) vs. No. 2 Cromwell-Wright (28-2), 3 p.m.
Fillmore Central, Harmony (22-8) vs. No. 3 Henning (28-2), 5 p.m.
Class AA Quarterfinals Wednesday, March 11
At Williams Arena, University of Minnesota
Concordia Academy, Roseville (20-9) vs. No. 1 Rochester Lourdes (27-2), 6 p.m.
No. 5 Waseca (24-6) vs. No. 4 Pelican Rapids (29-0), 8 p.m.
At Maturi Pavilion, University of Minnesota
Providence Academy, Plymouth (25-5) vs. No. 2 Sauk Centre (28-2), 6 p.m.
Marshall School (25-2) vs. No. 3 New London-Spicer (28-1), 8 p.m.
Class AAA Quarterfinals
Wednesday, March 11 At Maturi Pavilion, University of Minnesota
Hermantown (26-3) vs. No. 1 seed DeLaSalle, Minneapolis (24-4), 10 a.m.
No. 5 Academy of Holy Angels, Richfield (22-6) vs. No. 4 Simley, Inver Grove Heights (26-2), noon
Alexandria Area (22-7) vs. No. 2 Becker (26-2), 2 p.m.
Waconia (19-10) vs. No. 3 Red Wing (26-2), 4 p.m.
Class AAAA Quarterfinals
Wednesday, March 11
At Williams Arena, University of Minnesota
Cambridge-Isanti (20-9) vs. No. 1 Hopkins (28-0), 10 a.m.
No. 5 Stillwater Area (23-5) vs. No. 4 Park Center, Brooklyn Park (25-4), 12 p.m.
Eden Prairie (18-11) vs. No. 2 Farmington (27-2), 2 p.m.
Lakeville North (18-10) vs. No. 3 St. Michael-Albertville (19-8), 4 p.m.
TV: Championship semifinals and championship games in both classes will be televised by 45TV.
Tickets: $16 adults, $10 students for quarterfinals, championship semifinals, and finals. $21 adults, $13 students for quarterfinal wristbands, good at both venues. $12 adults, $8 students for consolation and third-place games.
Ticket box offices open: One hour before the earliest scheduled game.
CLASS A
Red Lake vs. No. 1 Minneota –This is a rematch of last season’s quarterfinal that Minneota won. Red Lake returns for its second consecutive appearance and third overall. The Warriors lost in the consolation semifinals last year. Autumn Holthusen scored 18 points, including 15 in the second half, to lead Red Lake past Badger/Greenbush-Middle River in the Section 8A final. Minneota, the defending Class A champion, is making its third consecutive appearance and ninth overall. In addition to 2019, the Vikings also won in 2013. Morgan Hennen was 11 of 18 from the field and finished with 24 points as Minneota topped Southwest Minnesota Christian of Edgerton in the Section 3A title game.
No. 5 Heritage Christian Academy vs. No. 4 Waterville-Elysian-Morristown – Heritage Christian Academy is returning for its third consecutive and overall appearance. The Eagles placed third in 2019. In the Section 4A final, Heritage Christian used an 18-5 run to bolt from what had been a 55-all deadlock with Mayer Lutheran. Waterville-Elysian-Morristown is making its state tournament debut. Brielle Bartelt scored 29 points for the Buccaneers to help power past Sleepy Eye St. Mary’s 79-68 in the Section 2A championship game.
Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa vs. No. 2 Cromwell-Wright – Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa defeated Ogilvie for the Section 5A crown to earn its first state tournament berth. Cromwell-Wright returns after a two-year hiatus. The Cardinals are making their third appearance under this name; Cromwell made two additional appearances in 1986 and 2004. Taya Hakamaki led Cromwell-Wright with 28 points to help the Cardinals defeat Mountain Iron-Buhl in the Section 7A final.
Fillmore Central vs. No. 3 Henning – Both teams are state tournament rookies. Kandace Sikkink had 25 points, nine rebounds, and six steals in Fillmore Central’s 69-56 victory over Blooming Prairie in the Section 1A championship game. Ellie Dague had 32 points, including eight consecutive free throws down the stretch, as Henning defeated West Central Area of Barrett in the Section 6A final.
Class AA
Concordia Academy, Roseville vs. No. 1 Rochester Lourdes – Concordia Academy is making its state tournament debut. The Beacons did so my defeating Minnehaha Academy, the defending Class AA champion, in the Section 4AA championship game. Ivane Tensaie led the Beacons with 23 points. Rochester Lourdes returns for its 19th appearance, but first since 2017. The Eagles are looking for their ninth championship; they won previously in 1987, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1995, 2000, 2003, and 2005. Alyssa Ustby had 22 points for Lourdes as they moved past Goodhue 50-46 in the Section 1AA championship game.
No. 5 Waseca vs. No. 4 Pelican Rapids – Waseca returns after a two-year absence to make its second appearance. The Bluejays defeated Jordan 32-28 in the Section 2AA final. Pelican Rapids is returning to the tournament for the first time since 2013. The Vikings are making their third appearance overall. Maddie Guler kept the Vikings’ season alive when she hit a game-winner at the buzzer to lift Pelican Rapids to a dramatic 43-41 victory over Fergus Falls 43-41 in the Section 8AA title game.
Providence Academy vs. No. 2 Sauk Centre – Providence Academy is making its fourth appearance, but first since 2013. They earned one previous title in 2012. Kyra Miller scored 16 points to help send Providence Academy to a 49-38 victory over Watertown-Mayer in the Section 5AA final. Sauk Centre returns after a one-year absence to make its ninth appearance. The Mainstreeters won their only championship in 2018. Sauk Centre defeated Albany 54-38 in the 6AA championship game.
Marshall School vs. No. 3 New London-Spicer – Marshall School, which includes students from Lakeview Christian Academy of Duluth, is making its second appearance. The Hilltoppers made their only other appearance in 2000. Grace Kirk paced Marshall School with 33 points as the Hilltoppers defeated Pequot Lakes 79-63 in the Section 7AA final. New London-Spicer returns for its 18th appearance, but first since 2017. They won previous titles in 1997 and 2002. New London-Spicer defeated Windom Area 67-45 for the crown in Section 3AA.
Class AAA
Hermantown vs. No. 1 DeLaSalle – Hermantown returns for its fourth appearance, but first since 2006. Hermantown held on for a 45-43 victory over Hibbing in the Section 7AAA championship game. Elly Schmotz led the Hawks with 17 points. DeLaSalle, the defending Class AAA champion, returns for the fourth consecutive time and 11th overall appearance. In addition to 2019, the Islanders won three consecutive championships between 2011 and 2013. Nurjei Weems had 18 points for DeLaSalle in its victory over Hill-Murray in the Section 4AAA title game.
No. 5 Academy of Holy Angels vs. No. 4 Simley – Holy Angels is making its fifth consecutive appearance and eighth overall. The Stars, who placed third in 2019, won previous championships in 1975 (winter) and 2016. Grace Massoquoi, who didn’t play high school basketball last year, came off the bench and scored a season-high 23 points for the Stars in a 72-50 victory over Orono in the Class 6AAA championship game. Simley returns for the first time since 2014 and makes its fourth appearance overall. Sydney Stensgard scored 29 points as Simley defeated St. Paul Como Park 69-53 in the Section 3AAA final.
Alexandria Area vs. No. 2 Becker – Alexandria Area returns after a one-year absence. The Cardinals are making their 10th appearance and won one previous title in 1997. Mia McGrane and Jaya Hatlestad scored 15 and 12 points, respectively, to spark Alexandria Area past Bemidji in the Section 8AAA championship game. Becker returns for its second consecutive appearance. This is the fourth overall appearance for the Bulldogs who won one previous title in 2007. Becker earned runner-up honors in 2019. Julia Bengtson led Becker with 21 points as the Bulldogs defeated Monticello in the Section 5AAA final.
Waconia vs. No. 3 Red Wing – Waconia makes its state tournament debut. Audrey Swanson scored 23 points as Waconia defeated Marshall 61-50 in the Section 2AAA final. Red Wing is returning for its sixth appearance, but first since 2013. The Wingers defeated Kasson-Mantorville 57-24 in the Section 1AAA title game.
Class AAAA
Cambridge-Isanti vs. No. 1 Hopkins — Cambridge-Isanti returns for its second appearance, but first since 1999. Jackie Olander scored 19 points to send the Bluejackets to a victory over Forest Lake in the Section 7AAAA final. Hopkins is the defending Class AAAA champion and top seed. The Royals return for their fifth consecutive appearance and 14th overall. The Royals are looking for their eighth title. Hopkins also won in 2004, 2006, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2015. Paige Bueckers scored 33 points to help send the undefeated Royals past Wayzata in the Section 6AAAA championship game.
No. 5 Stillwater Area vs. No. 4 Park Center– Stillwater Area was the runner-up to Hopkins in 2019. The Ponies are making their second consecutive and fourth overall appearance. Park Center is making its fifth appearance, but first since 2017. The Pirates won previous championships in 2014 and 2015. Adalia McKenzie and Lauren Frost combined for 50 points as Park Center dominated Centennial in the Section 5AAAA championship game.
Eden Prairie vs. No. 2 Farmington – Eden Prairie returns to the tournament for the first time since 2014. The Eagles are making their third appearance overall. Nneka Obiazor scored 17 points and added 14 rebounds as Eden Prairie defeated Chaska 70-56 in the Section 2AAAA title game. Farmington is making its debut tournament appearance. Paige Kindseth scored 16 points as the Tigers held on to beat Rochester Mayo 62-60 in the Section 1AAAA final.
Lakeville North vs. No. 3 St. Michael-Albertville: Lakeville North returns and looking for its first state championship since 2010. Lakeville North raced to a 17-3 lead during the Section 3AAAA title game against Rosemount and went on to win 53-44. Sarah Kuma had 19 points for the Panthers. St. Michael-Albertville returns after a three-year hiatus. The Knights are making their 10th overall appearance and seeking their third title. They won previously in 2001 and 2009. Mackenzie Kramer and Tessa Johnson scored 22 and 17 points, respectively, as the Knights defeated Maple Grove in the Section 8AAAA title match-up.
2019 State Tournament Recap
Class A: Minneota entered the tournament as the No. 1 seed, and three victories later, won its second title after defeating No. 2-seeded Goodhue 40-31 in the title game. Minneota started its tournament run with a 66-46 win over Red Lake. The Vikings then defeated Heritage Christian Academy 55-50 in the semifinals. In the third-place game, Heritage Christian Academy defeated Menahga 60-52. Mountain Iron-Buhl defeated Ada-Borup 53-45 in the consolation final.
Class AA: Minnehaha Academy, the No. 3-seed, won its second championship after defeating No. 4 Caledonia 72-63 in the championship game. The Redhawks opened the tournament with a 56-37 win over St. Peter. In the semifinals, they defeated Albany 70-67. Roseau defeated Albany 81-43 in the third-place game. In the consolation final, Holy Family defeated Proctor, 47-33.
Class AAA: Top-seeded DeLaSalle won its fourth championship with a 56-40 victory over No. 3 Becker. In the quarterfinals, DeLaSalle defeated Hibbing 61-53. The Islanders advanced and defeated Academy of Holy Angels 61-59 in the semifinals. Academy of Holy Angels placed third after defeating Robbinsdale Cooper 78-69. In the consolation final, Marshall topped Hibbing, 75-60.
Class AAAA: Top-seeded Hopkins earned its seventh championship after racing past No. 2 Stillwater for a 74-45 victory. The Royals opened the tournament with a 68-46 quarterfinal win over Lakeville North. In the semifinals, Hopkins defeated Centennial, 75-47. Centennial rebounded to win the third-place trophy following a 68-53 victory over Eastview. In the consolation final, Forest Lake defeated Maple Grove, 64-56.
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JOKES
A man is driving down a deserted stretch of highway when he notices a sign out of the corner of his eye. It reads:
SISTERS OF ST. FRANCIS
HOUSE OF PROSTITUTION
10 MILES
He thinks it was a figment of his imagination and drives on without second thought. Soon he sees another sign, which says:
SISTERS OF ST. FRANCIS
HOUSE OF PROSTITUTION
5 MILES
Suddenly, he begins to realize that these signs are for real. Then he drives past a third sign saying:
SISTERS OF ST. FRANCIS
HOUSE OF PROSTITUTION
NEXT RIGHT
His curiosity gets the best of him and he pulls into the drive. On the far side of the parking lot is a stone building with a small sign next to the door reading:
SISTERS OF ST. FRANCIS
He climbs the steps and rings the bell. The door is answered by a nun in a long black habit who asks, “What may we do for you, my son?”
He answers, “I saw your signs along the highway, and was interested in possibly doing business.”
“Very well, my son”, the nun answers. “Please follow me.”
He is led through many winding passages and is soon quite disoriented. The nun stops at a closed-door and tells the man, “Please knock on this door.”
He does as he is told and another nun in a long habit, holding a tin cup answers the door. This nun instructs, “Please place $100 in the cup, then go through the large wooden door at the end of this hallway.”
He gets $100 out of his wallet and places it in the second nun’s cup.
He trots eagerly down the hall and slips through the door, pulling it shut behind him. As the door locks behind him, he finds himself back in the parking lot, facing another small sign:
GO IN PEACE.
YOU HAVE JUST BEEN SCREWED BY
THE SISTERS OF ST. FRANCIS.
SERVES YOU RIGHT, YOU SINNER.
— —
A priest, a minister, and a rabbit walk into a blood bank.
The rabbit says, “I think I might be a type-O!”
— —
With his wife sick in bed, a man did the weekly supermarket shopping. By the time he reached the checkout, his cart was overflowing. Behind him in the line was a little old lady with just a loaf of bread and some butter.
He turned to her and said: “Is that all you have dear?”
Her face lit up, “Yes, it is.”
“Well,” he said, “if I were you I’d have a seat because I’m gonna be a while.”
— — —
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
Paul Bittner is playing for the Cleveland Monsters, the AHL affiliate of the Columbus Bluejacket. Paul didn’t score in a 5-2 loss to Laval on Thursday. He had an assist in a 5-1 loss to Laval on Friday. He didn’t score in a 2-1 loss to Charlotte and didn’t score while getting two shots on goal in a 3-2 overtime loss on Wednesday. Cleveland is scheduled to host Rochester on Sunday and travel to Wilkes-Barr Scranton on Wednesday.
Brady Heppner, is playing hockey for the Roanoke Raildogs in the SPHL. Brady didn’t score while getting two shots on goal and four penalty minutes in a 5-4 overtime loss to Quad City. He didn’t score while recording two penalty minutes in a 3-2 loss to Peoria on Saturday. Roanoke will travel to take on BHM Pelham on Friday and Saturday.
Aleece Durbin, is a Sophomore on the University of North Dakota Women’s Track and Field team. UND will kick-off the outdoor season with two meets in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina on March 13 and 14 and again on March 20 and 21.
Brita Fagerlund, is a Junior on the University of Jamestown Jimmy Women’s Track team.
Jamestown will be off until they kick off the outdoor season with meets at Spearfish, South Dakota and Laurel, Montana on March 20 and 21 respectively.
Ben Trostad is a sophomore member of the University of Minnesota Crookston golf team. Ben shot a three day total of 233 and finished tied for 42nd place. The Golden Eagles will be off until March 30-31 for the NSIC Preview at Shoal Creek Golf Course in Liberty, Missouri.
Isaac Westlake, is a Senior on the Winona State Warrior Men’s Golf team. Isaac shot a two-round total of 151 (7 over par) and finished tied for 16th place out of 71 golfers. Winona State won the meet with a 579. Winona State will be off until March 30-31 when they travel to the NSIC conference preview meet in Liberty, Missouri.
Elise Tangquist, is a Junior golfer for the University of Northwestern in St. Paul.
Mason LaPlante, a freshman, is playing soccer at the University of Jamestown.
Rachel Hefta, a freshman, is playing volleyball at Hastings College in Nebraska.
Cade Salentine is a redshirt Freshman playing football at the University of North Dakota.
Nick Garmen, is a freshman playing basketball and tennis at the University of Minnesota Morris.
Thea Oman, a freshman, is swimming at St. Ben’s.
Crookston School District Coaches –
Jeremy Lubinski is a Pirate 8th Grade Football coach.
Amy Boll is the head Pirate Girls Track head coach and assistant volleyball coach
Sarah Reese is the Pirate Head Girls Soccer coach
Cody Brekken is the Head Pirate Girls and Boys Tennis coach and Crookston Community Pool Supervisor
Marley Melbye is the Head Girls Swimming coach
Mitch Bakken is the head Pirate Baseball coach.
Brock Hanson is the Pirate Baseball volunteer assistant 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
Blake Fee is an assistant wrestling coach
Colton Weiland is an assistant wrestling coach
Non-Crookston High School coaching –
Cody Weiland is an assistant wrestling coach at Proctor/Hermantown
Kaylee Desrosier is a softball coach for Fargo Davies Middle School.
Justin Johnson is an assistant softball coach at the University of Minnesota Crookston.
Josh Edlund is an assistant football coach and phy ed teacher at Flandreau, South Dakota.
Allison Lindsey Axness is Assistant Varsity Volleyball Coach in Champlin Park
Jeff Olson is Head Wrestling coach and Head Baseball coach at Delano.
Jake Olson is an Assistant Football Coach and Head Boys Tennis coach at Delano.
Carmen (Kreibich) Johnson, is Head Volleyball coach at Little Falls High School.
Katy Westrom, is Head Girls Tennis Coach and Head Boys Tennis coach at Monticello High School.
Matt Harris, is a Director of Athletics at the British International School of Houston.
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 Minnesota State Mankato Men’s head Hockey coach
Mike Biermaier is the Athletic Director at Thief River Falls High School
Stephanie (Lindsay) Perreault works with the North Dakota State stats crew for Bison football and volleyball and basketball in the winter. Stephanie’s husband, Ryan, is the assistant director for the Bison media relations
Jason Bushie is the hockey athletic trainer at Colorado College
Chris Myrold is a Tennis Pro on Nevis Island in the West Indies
Kyle Buchmeier is a Tennis Pro at the Reed-Sweatt Family Tennis Center in Minneapolis
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 also a grad of West Point and is currently is 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.
Scott Riopelle is head of Crookston Parks and Recreation
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
