Maybe fans should just be thankful the game was played. Years from now we'll be remembering this time of caution, concern and even some fear. So much is being cancelled all around us. But on Thursday night, hopefully with no undue risk being presented, fans gathered at Southwest State University, Marshall, for a prime March hoops event.
It's the month when this phenomenon really shines. Teams from a considerable distance apart vied. From the south: Jackson County Central, the Huskies. And from our area of the north: the proud Minnewaska Area Lakers. The Lakers got this far by prevailing in Section 3AA-North, through suspenseful games. Could they make it through another nail-biting round?
No, it was not to be. Coach Phil Johnsrud's crew arrived at season's end, being dealt defeat at the hands of the Huskies 69-60. Action was at SSU's "R/A" facility, whatever the initials stand for. The Lakers could not summon the kind of late surge that wiped out a deficit against Redwood Valley.
Grant Jensen made a bid to be a hero again. He led the Lakers in scoring with 19 points and again showed a clutch quality. The senior made a basket inside the arc to bring his team within four. The scoreboard numbers were 54-50, this with just over three minutes left. It seemed plenty of time.
The Redwood Valley game saw Jensen make two freethrows at the very end to literally bring 'Waska victory. The Thursday scenario would be different.
The Lakers kept close on the Huskies' heels until Husky Bradley Buhl Jr. made a firm statement with a 3-pointer. Buhl would have four 3's on the night. The Huskies were proficient in getting open 3-point shot tries. Following Buhl's big long-ranger, Laker Peyton Johnsrud was called for an offensive foul. And JCC seized this opportunity as Rudy Voss surged for a layup to make the score 61-52. Now there's two minutes left to play.
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| Image of Rudy Voss from KEYC |
The first half was full of hope for the Laker cause. Indeed the squad looked smooth on the court at that time. Sam Hested was at the fore of their attack. Hested put up 3's from the corner that went "swish." He's a junior forward. His poise and sharp eye gave 'Waska the impressive-looking lead of 29-17. JCC fought back as their Jack Brinkman got a hot hand. The senior guard personally accounted for an 8-0 run.
The Lakers' earlier offensive momentum was nowhere to be seen for a time. But the Lakers could take a deep breath at halftime as they still had the lead, 29-27. The Huskies arrived at 27 points thanks to an Andrew Hesebeck layup. Hesebeck had 18 points for the game.
Taking a deep breath brought no dividends to the Lakers as they faded into the second half. Or rather, the talented JCC crew surged. Time after time the Huskies put points on the board. JCC coach Alex Hein noted that his team worked to establish a faster pace. He felt this was in line with his team's strengths.
Groping for a turnaround in fortunes, 'Waska sought to double-team JCC's ball-handlers, according to the review in the West Central Tribune. The ploy worked to a degree - JCC's lead was trimmed down to three. But 'Waska could get no closer. So it's the Huskies on to state, assuming the state does in fact get played in the face of the health concerns. And BTW I guess we're not supposed to touch our face. Oops, I'm touching my face as I proofread this. I'm feeling fine.
The Lakers had quite the memorable season. So many highlights along the way. And in the end, the squad sported a 21-7 record, superlative. The success reflected that of the Laker wrestling world. Girls hoops meanwhile ended on a disappointing note, though there were some exciting individuals.
Here's the 'Waska scoring list from Thursday: Grant Jensen 19, Sam Hested 14, Peyton Johnsrud 10, Luke Barkeim 7, Aaron VerSteeg 6 and Brady Hoffman 4. Hested had the only two 3-point makes. Hoffman topped rebounding with six and assists with three. VerSteeg and Barkeim each had two steals. Hested blocked three shots.
The JCC story had Rudy Voss starring with his 21 points. Then we see Andrew Hesebeck with 18. Continuing: Bradley Buhl Jr. 12, Jack Brinkman 8, Dominic Bargfrede 8 and Nathaniel Post 2. Jackson County Central had a barrage of 3's led by Buhl Jr. with his four. Hesebeck and Brinkman each made two 3's and Voss made one.
March Madness is contagious in a good way!
- Brian Williams - morris mn minnesota - bwilly73@yahoo.com
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| Here's the logo for the Jackson County Central "Huskies" |
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