Striving to be glass half-full, I'll note we were fortunate getting to this game. The Tigers won in the opening round over Montevideo. You might call that a mild upset. Consider that we had lost to the Teagan Epema-led Thunder Hawks 49-27 on Dec. 10. So, great satisfaction to be taken in the turnaround.
My post about the Monte game is on my companion blog, "Morris of Course." I invite you to read with this link.
The story Tuesday was almost certainly going to be different. I have been writing about high school sports for a long time, and certainly NL-Spicer coach Mike Dreier has stood out for a long time. The Wildcats are the top seed this year.
I'm looking at a photo caption on the West Central Tribune site, and it identifies an eighth grade forward with the Wildcats. Eighth grade! Well, I'm happy for this talented young athlete, Korbin Tanner.
I remember a time in Tiger athletics when only upperclassmen were even allowed to play varsity. That was one of several problems we had in that era. It's not good to bring it up but I couldn't help thinking about it when noticing the NL-Spicer eighth grader.
These kids can contribute immediately and their development is enhanced greatly by being promoted early. There was a time in the Morris school's background when I understood all this but our administration did not. Obviously very strange.
But now let's plunge into the present where we see the MACA season end with this 72-27 loss to Dreier and the Wildcats. This is Section 3AA-North action. Dreier had 16 players total get onto the court for game action. We were the No. 5 seed. NL-Spicer? Well they're No. 1. Next they'll play No. 2. That would be Minnewaska and in my opinion, the Lakers could give NL-Spicer a game. The action is now at Southwest State University.
The Wildcats and Lakers will battle on Thursday. NL-Spicer brings a 27-1 record into the game. The MACA administration should take a good look at how Dreier does things IMHO. Then again I would have said that many years ago. Sometimes I speak up and I get into trouble, I mean really serious trouble.
The Tigers trailed at halftime 45-14. The West Central Tribune notes that the Big Red gym in Willmar was "packed." Well, no suspense for those fans.
The final MACA won-lost mark is 10-18.
Minnewaska advanced Tuesday with a 59-32 win over No. 3 KMS.
The Wildcats' Korbin Tanner didn't just play, she gave special spark in the first half. My, she put in 19 points over the first 18 minutes. And for the night she led her team in scoring with 21 points. That's a career-best for her. And think of the long varsity road ahead of her.
Dakota Rich made her return from injury in this game. She experienced a left shoulder injury on February 11. Rich is a senior guard. Sporting a shoulder brace, this Wildcat scored six points on two 3-pointers.
The Wildcats cruised in second half play, outscoring the Tigers 27-13.
The MACA offense was led by Addison Cihak with ten points. She made our only 3-pointer. She was joined in the scoring list by Mylie Fehr 7, Chloe Fehr 4, Samantha Konz 4 and Leah Berlinger 2. The WC Tribune had no other stat details for the Tigers but we can be thankful for the point totals because we very often do not get even that.
Well, we get the full stat review for NL-Spicer. So after Korbin Tanner and her 21 points we see the following: Ava Carlson 16, Ayla Caskey 11, Dakota Rich 6, Roxanne Klein 4, Ezri Boelter 3, Kyla Vick 3, Jadyn Proehl 2, Sydney Thorstad 2, Aly Wendlandt 2, Brooke Barney 1 and Piper Barney 1.
Rich with her two 3-pointers was followed by the following with one each: Caskey, Carlson, Boelter and Vick. Carlson topped rebounds with her seven. In assists we see Caskey leading the way with six. Caskey also led in steals with seven. Klein blocked two shots.
How competitive can the 'Waska Lakers be against New London-Spicer? Knowledgeable fans might suggest "very." I personally think a win could be in the cards. What awesome defense that team plays. It is applied man-to-man.
'Waska has the No. 2 seed and they defeated the No. 3, KMS, applying no small of that vaunted defense. The game site was the same as for MACA vs. NL-S: the Big Red gym. The Lakers were swarming and achieved 26 steals. Wow! KMS did jump out to a 7-2 lead. Their fortunes sank in the face of 'Waska's pressure. "Suffocating" is how the WC Trib described it. So 'Waska went on a 16-0 run.
The halftime score was 24-13. 'Waska owns a 25-3 record now.
The Lakers plunged into second half play with a 13-2 run.
I normally look for Lauryn Ankeny to lead in steals but on this night the leaders were Addy Kath and Megan Thorfinnson with ten and five respectively. Ankeny was the top Laker in scoring: 16 points. Kath put in 12 points and Thorfinnson ten. Then we see Olivia Danielson 8, Sydney Dahl 8, Jayda Kolstoe 3 and Kendall Danielson 2.
In 3-pointers we saw Kath making two and Ankeny, Dahl and Thorfinnson one each. Kath and Ankeny led in rebounds with nine and seven respectively. Ankeny was sharp with her passing: four assists. Ankeny blocked two shots. KMS was led in scoring by Madelynn Luft, 15 points.
- Brian Williams - morris mn minnesota - bwilly73@yahoo.com
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