[I think it appropriate we begin here.  Karly “tickles the twine,” the first of her back-to-back made free throws early . . . in 2nd half.  Karly sparked the Cards in that half when we pulled away from the upstart ‘Streeters.  And for a little basketball lore, “tickles the twine” is an original of legendary Big 5 announcer, Les Keiter.  I’m sure you all remember him?]

The Sauk Centre Mainstreeters came to town Saturday night.  Now the ‘Streeters are only a class AA school (Alex is class AAA), but they have been a power in their class the last several years (state tournament trip type stuff) and are again this year – their only loss coming against class AAA Albany,  who were undefeated until their last game.  So, the Cards knew they had to be on their game.  And before it started, fellow Super Fan and classmate, Ruth Helie Anderson, came over and told us that Sauk Centre had an unstoppable 8th-grader on their JV team who would likely play in the varsity game as well.  We looked up her name on the roster – Kelsey Peschel.   I remembered that name – their recent state tournament teams had a Peschel who went on to play Division 1 basketball at Iowa, where she is now a sophomore.  Kelsey now is 5’5″, but her big sister I believe is 6’1″ so she may have a growth spurt ahead yet.  Ruth was right – Kelsey played a lot in the varsity game, and she is very talented, but it’s a little different playing against the varsity rather than the JV.  We stole the ball from her often when she attempted to dribble through traffic. [Today’s guest photos are on loan from Brittney Bruzek’s Facebook page.  That’s Brittney on the right, sister Gracie on the left, and the last Bruzek sister, Sarah, is a starter on the basketball team.  All three were multi-sport athletes for the Cards.]

[Let’s do warm-ups!  Karly, Amanda C, and Kendall having the times of their lives.]

[Macy, Emily, Karly, and Cheyenne (who so far gets “most improved” for her play as the back-up center)]

[Ponytails!]

[Jaylen]

[Kendall]

[Karly on the line, which proved fruitful as noted by the opening photo.]

[The first of a 3-photo sequence of Amanda C.]

[I don’t think it’s hyperbole to say she’s a great shooter . . .]

[Her 3-point and free throw shooting percentages say so.  She missed a free throw in this game.  There was an audible gasp from the assembled masses.  In the start-of-game video, coming up soon, Amanda twice had catch and shoot while on the move 3’s and made both of them.]

[The scrum, or the area of the court in warm-ups where one is likely to take a couple off the noggin.]

[Amanda C again – hard not to watch a master craftsman.]

[Swish!]

[The heir apparent.  Kendall appears posed to assume the mantle of the long range shooter.]

[Though still just a freshman, seems to prefer 3’s from the NBA line!  😉  ]

[Macy, also a freshman, appears poised to be lead ball handler for several years.]

[Amanda G]

[Macy]

[Intros . . .]

[Kendall is the greeter.]

[Here comes Amanda C . . .]

[The choreography . . .]

[Macy]

[That’s Macy’s mom, and ass’t coach, Julie, in the background.]

[Sarah (see her sisters above), preparing to launch . . .]

[We have ignition!]

[Karly . . .]

[And ignition!]

[And Brooke]

[Boom shakalaka . . .]

[Macy’s and Kendall’s moms . . .]

[A/k/a, the coaches]

The jump ball and first 6 minutes of the game are in the following video.  There are turnovers – it happens when both teams are fast paced and pressing: 

Video:  https://www.youtube.com/my_videos?o=U

[Brooke on a baseline jumper.]

[(I hope Kendall doesn’t trip over my feet.)]

[(OK, I’ll back up a bit.)]

[Kendall makes a break away from my feet.]

[The ‘Streeters attempt to take it into the teeth of . . . Karly!]

[Enter the Karly zone at your own risk.]

[She’s hiding in plain sight between the two ‘Streeter guards.]

[Huddle up.]

[The old pro and the kid.  An indication of passing the torch for next year?]

[Liked it enough I sent it to the head coach.]

[Or maybe this was the one?]

[Karly]

[Good!]

[Do it again?]

[Yeah, it was close.  Kohler acknowledged it would be when we came out in a man-to-man defense, instead of the usual 1-3-1.  If a team can pass against the 1-3-1, and shoot 3’s, it can be beat.  The Mainstreeters could better than most teams.]

[The 2nd half was Karly time.  Here she’s at the line where she made the first free throw – the first photo in this story . . .]

[Then she made the 2nd one.]

[Kendall attempting her version of Karly mayhem.]

[Yup, the field goal kick is a move practiced by all at the head of the 1-3-1.]

[It was nice to have Amanda G’s length back in there (she was in civvies our last game).  Plus, I think she’s one of our best rebounders, and we’ve been having issues in that regard.]

[Defense concentration.]

[The bane of photographers when you pass your camera past the light show that is the scorer’s table.  Almost looks like they dimmed the lights.]

[OK, I think we’re wearing them out by making them shoot so many free throws!  In the 2nd half, the ‘Streeters only made three baskets from the floor.]

[The Karly whirlwind sees Kendall underneath.]

[So, how did Kendall end up shooting a 3?  😉  ]

[Now to the D.]

[Also learning to be as expressive as Amanda C.]

[Ms Automatic.  🙂  ]

[Again . . .]

[Macy]

[And again.  With our lead, the ‘Streeters were fouling.  We’re a pretty good free throw shooting team.]

[Brooke readies for her turn . . .]

[The set . . .]

[And the release . . . GAME OVER!  🙂  ]

Next:  More California, a hockey game in the can, another basketball game tonight?]