Yeah, it was that bad. You feel for a team that can’t compete, and Sauk Rapids/Rice seems like they’ve been on the bottom in girls’ basketball for a long time. A positive sign for them is that they have a 6’1″ (looks taller) freshman center who could be a prospect, and their other best players were a 7th-grader and an 8th-grader.
It was a Friday night during the holidays, so the crowd was sparse – even by girls’ sports standards. I think all were aware it was not going to be a close game. But I took it as an opportunity to bring exposure for the entire team. I not only videoed the varsity, but some of the JV game (to see the future) and the reserves when they played most of the 2nd half (and the game went on running time).
[Random shot of the JV game (well, it’s the only one I had).]
JV video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXxMSeEJJ-U
[And, the JV game wasn’t much closer.]
[But earlier in the day, Jami picked up my camera and captured a pileated woodpecker dining on our recently deceased ( 😦 ) front yard elm.]
[Back to the game, The Voices warm up in their shared left-handedness.]
[Last year’s point guard, Cara Wood, checking on her stock portfolio with her mom, Cheri, now a proud member of the Super Fan club.]
[Also on hand from the 2011 state tournament team were, from the left, Joie Warnes and Alli Haar. That means the only ones left unaccounted for from that team are the Trumm sisters, and I know they’re in town. I propose a photographic reunion of that team at the holiday baasketball tournament next weekend – with recognition over the PA? OK?]
[Cards pre-game meeing to discuss post-game dining options.]
[Joie and Alli are joined by friends I should possibly know?]
[Criss-cross passing warm-up drill with Sarah.]
[Kendall]
[Sarah, again – though I tried many, it was hard to get a focused shot when they’re running at you.]
[General milling around – but in a “Where’s Waldo” mode, can you find Kohler? Darice Cunniff (PA announcer)? Cheri Wood?]
[I like the No. 5 at Jimmy John’s.]
[ . . . but if you prefer tuna, get it on the whole wheat bread.]
[We’re so excited, we can hardly wait for Christmas!!]
[Super Fan Ruth Helie Anderson counted nine 3’s in a row made by Amanda C in warm-ups – it would prove to jinx her in the 1st half.]
[The boys’ team . . .]
[Good for them for always being there to support the girls! 🙂 ]
[So, is it Jimmy John’s after the game?]
[And I’m not sure why the Cardinal players are standing with the Storm coach . . . and vice-versa?]
[Team introductions – Amanda C performs a secret sorority hand shake with Sarah.]
[Karly and Sarah do the vertical chest bump . . . a latest dance craze?]
[A bemused Kohler.]
[Jess and Sarah do the vertical reverse hip check – which is in direct competition to the vertical chest bump.]
[Kalli, of course a taller one, does a full squat greet with Sarah.]
[Aaaaayyyyyy!!!!]
Varsity video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPV-T1xZ9EU
[The back door must be there?]
[Karly, a/k/a “Wheels,” a/k/a “The Discombobulator,” made life miserable for the Storm all night.]
[Get away from me!!]
[Amanda C also with in-your-face defense.]
[Dani closing on a shooter.]
[“Wheels” on the full-court press.]
[“Wheels” and Amanda G on the double-team.]
[The ball is loose . . . again! The Storm had 37 turnovers in the game.]
[Amanda G, usually a good mid-range shooter, missed a free throw. It remains a team issue as we only made 6 of 16 in the game.]
[Kalli fights for a board – she had a bunch in the 1st half.]
[Jess fires one from the corner. We did not shoot well in the 1st half, even missed several uncontested bunnies. But we do it like a mattress retailer – by volume!! If you take lots of shots, you don’t have to make a great percentage.]
[Fans walk by – but Sarah’s the only one in focus?]
[Here we come again, mmmm, mm, mm! Catch us if you can, mmmm, mm, mm!]
[I’m sure this is what Amanda C thought of her 1st half – she couldn’t get anything to drop.]
[But in the 2nd half, she almost immediately swished three 3’s and a 2 for a 11 quick points.]
[Switch!]
[“Wheels” once again making a total pest of herself.]
[A good look at the Storm’s tall freshman center – we boxed her out well.]
[A made free throw – if we “shoot” it, they go in.]
[Kalli makes one.]
[Jess inbounding. Larry Novotny, creator and maestro of the nationally-renowned Alexandria Aces, sits in the front row. The Aces are going all over the country again this year – off the top of my head, Florida, Virginia, Indiana, Nebraska . . .]
[Score . . . hustle back on D.]
[“Wheels” is still flying around.]
[Jess and “Wheels” pinch their center.]
[Where can I get a No-Pest strip?]
[Ready to follow the ball into the next double-team.]
[Eyes on the prize.]
[I don’t think it did?]
[Then everybody got to play most of the 2nd half. Here Jaylen inbounds to Macy.]
[First and 10!]
A chance to highlight all our players . . .
Varsity reserves video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKtVTYULWdM
[Emily was Player-of-the-Game. She hit three baseline shots in a row from the 10 – 12 foot range. She and Amanda G are very good on that shot.]
[Dave told her to smile . . .]
[So she did! 🙂 ]
[From all reports, she gave a good interview.]
[Merry Christmas, you guys!]
Remember the holiday tournament next weekend – I believe beginning against Park Center on Friday night! See you there!
alexandriacardinals 