January 31
Leaving the game this night, the polar vortex was gone, but it was still more than wintery. As we walked to the car, the snow pack crunched under foot. And I thought, “I like this.” It’s winter, it’s basketball, it’s just the way it’s suppose to be.
[The JV reflected what would subsequently happen in the varsity game as well. Rocori, at this time, just cannot match up with us physically and athletically . . . ]
[Before the game even started Ella Grove (11) responded to a reported Kim Kardashian sighting . . . ]
[Like a successful sports bar, you need good wings . . . ]
[The Card wings are 6′ 1 1/2″ Emily Jones (33) and 6′ Ella . . . ]
[McKenzie Duwenhoegger (35) and Mia McGrane (5) ready for the opening tap . . . ]
[And the ball is airborne . . . ]
[And Mac has it . . . ]
[Early on Kaye Paschka (3) finishes a breakaway . . . ]
[This was a sight that would be repeated often in the game . . . ]
[And here Kaye’s framed by the Cardinal backdrop . . . ]
[Cards on defense . . . ]
[Making things really tough for the Spartans . . . ]
[And eventually Jonesie corrals the ball and outlets to Mia . . . ]
[Likely leading to a fastbreak lay-up (lexicographer’s can’t seem make up their minds on this: lay up, layup, and lay-up are all used) . . . ]
[This is one minute and 44 seconds into the game. The Cards had their mojo back and have regained their swagger . . . ]
[The full-court press often lead to turnovers and immediate lay-ups . . . ]
[Jonesie in particular had a big scoring start . . . ]
[Ella on a drive to the hoop . . . ]
[An “and one”?]
[Yes, it was over at the half . . . ]
[Kaye defends the inbounds to start the second half . . . ]
[Well, maybe not yet . . . ]
[This kind of mismatch is tough for both teams . . . ]
[The Cards played everybody with substantial minutes for all . . . ]
[Wrapping up coverage with Jonesie at the line . . . ]
[Followed by Alayna Strand (25) . . . ]
[Because of score differential, the game went to running time the final 9 minutes, and those minutes were largely played by the junior varsity. Of concern, however, MacKenzie rolled an ankle in the first half and never returned to the game (she appeared to be walking fine at the boy’s game the following night), and Cate Bloom did not suit up?]
February 1
We drove to the game in the glow of a beautiful sunset. The first game in several months we were able to do so. A clear signal that spring is just around the corner – that and having to swerve to keep from hitting a groundhog . . .
[The JV game was promising – a great 2nd half by the Cards generated a substantial victory . . . ]
[The set up: The Cards were coming in on a 5-game winning streak. The Cards had beaten Fergus Falls at their place earlier this year. The Otters were coming in on a 4-game losing streak. In their previous game, they only scored 39 points in a loss to Little Falls. The Cards had beaten Little Falls 90 – 44. In light of all of the above, logically Fergus won handily. It’s why you play the game . . . ]
[Card guard Kristen Hoskins (21) in warm-ups . . . ]
[Card center Treyton Thompson (42) in warm-ups . . . ]
[Treyton had been invited by the Gophers to attend a recent home game . . . ]
[Come out fighting at the bell. No hitting below the waist. Actually, just no hitting . . . ]
[Preparing for the opening tip . . . ]
[At 6’11”, Treyton won it easily . . . ]
[Despite that, Fergus fielded the tap – looking back, it was an omen . . . ]
[Treyton follows the ball flight under the gaze of the school photographer . . . ]
[Anders Hedberg (22) launches a 3. I can’t remember the result on this shot. I do remember that Fergus was 8 for 8 on 3-point shots in the first half (then made their first attempt to start the 2nd half). Well, that wasn’t good for the home team!]
[Here Treyton is guarded by a large body, 6’9″ freshman for the Otters . . . ]
[When not guarded by the freshman, No. 22 in the photo, also big athlete took over the job . . . ]
[Anders with another 3 attempt. The Otters did a good job of blocking Treyton off the boards . . . ]
[No. 23 for the Otters is a freshman. He was 6 for 6 on 3’s and finished with 25 points. 6’4″ sophomore guard Colton Roderick is out for the Cardinals. That gave Fergus a size advantage at guard – it was telling . . . ]
[At the half, the Cards had some ground to make up. Unfortunately, we started the 2nd half with turnovers that led to a 7 – 0 run by the Otters . . . ]
[The school photographer catches the girls team sitting in the front row . . . ]
[Kristen inbounds to start the half . . . ]
[And starts the offense . . . ]
[Free throw shooting was OK, from the floor not quite as good . . . ]
[The Cards amped up their pressure defense and cut the largest gap in half . . . ]
[Trey Hoepner (0) and Carrson Jones (11) tracking No. 23 . . . ]
[I thought Carrson had the best game for the Cards. He somehow manages to drive through areas that appear to be totally clogged . . . ]
[Write this one off and start anew with the next game . . . ]
I don’t want to shoot my mouth in my foot, but those are games we can win. ~ Sherman Douglas
Up Next: Gotta get back to Spain
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