Totino-Grace 65
Let's catch our breath once again between state tournament basketball games, if that's possible. Man, I feel a need to re-charge a little. But what an adrenalin rush it is! March Madness seems more intoxicating as time goes on, don't you think? Considering the crappy nature of our March weather, it's quite the antidote, n'est-ce pas?
Alexandria has gripped our attention. This began in the girls tournament where the Cardinals gave us thrills up to the very end. They even won their very last game which was over Cretin-Derham Hall. No intimidation factor on the part of Cretin-Derham Hall. The Cardinals took the court with total confidence to win for third.
The Cards included Chloe Scholl whose mother is the former Heather Lucken. Heather played her prep sports here at Morris Area. Receding in time, yes, but I well remember. The Alex girls' great heights are tucked away in the historical annals now. I hope some fans are aware of, and will remember, the blogging I did in the closing stages. It's ditto with the Minnewaska Area girls, fourth in state.
Writing on high school sports has been a prime calling in my life. So now I'm proud to report on what the Alexandria boys did on Thursday! They were at the elite level of state, matched against a true state power, Totino-Grace. I wasn't certain that Alex's chances were all that good.
In rooting for Alexandria I'm rooting for the Witts, all four of them! There's Jerry who is now an assistant coach. His son Forrest is head coach and building a stellar reputation steadily. Alex is most fortunate. I should acknowledge the mom, Holly!
There are not one but two Witt players on the roster. They are not brothers, they are cousins. So let's acknowledge the Witt players Mason and Talan. Mason has opted to wear the number zero. I find that unconventional but why not?
Was Alex really the underdog going into the Thursday game versus Totino-Grace? Not sure that would be the proper characterization. Alex has built up all sorts of creds. At the state semis level you're bound to face a challenge. Alex was unfazed just as the girls were against Cretin-Derham Hall. You might know that Cretin-Derham Hall is the alma mater of Joe Mauer.
The Alex boys are now in the running for No. 1 in state.
I'd like to suggest a middle finger toward the Echo-Press for putting coverage behind a "paywall." Message to the old newspaper industry: you're not that special any more. When a team is excelling like Alex is, extend a public service and apply some normal open coverage for the many people who are interested, like players' relatives (grandmas and grandpas) who live elsewhere. Don't come at them with a stupid paywall overture.
I'm not going to deal with it. I'll use info instead from the free coverage on the KSTP website. It's good enough, extensive enough.
The Cards are now 28-3.
Witt worked in tandem with Chase Thompson who scored 33 points, 22 of them in the second half.
Totino-Grace was seeded No. 2. The T-G Eagles had a skein going of ten straight state tournament wins dating to 2022.
The Cards asserted themselves in the second half to outscore the Eagles 42-30. Alex showed weapons both inside and outside. Alex fans were ecstatic to see their team surge with a 15-5 run in the last five minutes. Thompson scored nine of his points then. He's headed to Clemson for future play.
Alex will now play Mankato East for the state championship on Saturday.
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| Mason Witt, "0" |
- Brian Williams - morris mn minnesota - bwilly73@yahoo.com
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