January 25

[We awoke the morning of the game to a hoar frost holiday . . . ]

[I prepared for the game with lunch with fellow Class of ’65ers at The Depot.  We don’t get carded much anymore . . . ]

[Then it was off to the last session of January’s senior college, and then pick up fellow Class of ’65er, Bradley, and then off to the game . . . ]

[The Cards were hosting the St. Cloud Tech Tigers, two days after our road win at the undefeated Willmar Cardinals, thus tying Willmar for first place in the conference.]

[Cards captains, McKenzie Duwenhoegger, Courtney Gould, and I  believe that’s Emma Schmidt behind a ref as they meet the constabulary for the evening’s festivities . . . ]

[The coin flip takes place at center ice . . . ]

[I have to admit I had a chat with Cardinal Coach Wendy Kohler before the game.  It’s something a cub reporter is wont to do.  As you know (as blog followers), the Super and I have been out of town for a while and I hadn’t seen a game since . . . November, for Pete’s sake??  I reminded Wendy that through the years her teams always seemed to graduate three senior starters every year, so I’d ask her, “How will you do next year?”  “We’ll win 20,” was always the response.  And danged if she wouldn’t!

[Last year her Cards went to the state tournament, then graduated ELEVEN seniors, including all five starters.  I told her on this night I couldn’t tell who her scorers would be this year, who her shooters would be, and whether she would have her usual stable of athletes?  With this whole new team, she said they’ve been coming together – I guess, to the extent that after beating the Tigers in this game (and with Willmar losing to Sartell) our Cards are now in 1st place in the conference.  It’s seems magical.]

[It was military appreciation night and Wendy was wearing her dad’s Navy uniform.]

[The Cards warming up . . . ]

[With long-time ass’t coach, Julie Wrobel, checking the game plan . . . ]

[The RED t-shirts read, “Remember Everyone Deployed.”]

[On the other side of the court, fans, Super Fans, folks who, with kids and grandkids, have been part of the Alexandria education and sports commuity for . . . well, a long time . . . ]

[And now more have joined them, “principals” shall we say?]

[In the immortal words of Lawrence Welk, “Thank you, boys!”]

[And the thanks to our military . . . ]

[Believed to be the only known photo of your correspondent in uniform.  This was leave trip home from Okinawa in August 1971 (yes, that is hair on my head) . . . ]

[Two Army vets stand in recognition . . . ]

[Oh yeah, the game – introducing Kaye Paschka (3), 5’6″ junior . . . ]

[Ella Grove (11), 5’11” sophomore – I believe Kaye and Ella have both grown a couple more inches since last I saw them . . . ]

[Emma Schmidt (25), 5’11” senior . . . ]

[Courtney Gould (31), 6′, senior . . . ]

[McKenzie Duwenhoegger (35), 6′, senior – whoa, 4 starters at least 5’11?  That’s a tall team . . . ]

[He tossed a ball into the air . . . ]

[It fell to earth he knew not where?]

[McKenzie and the Tiger center have landed – yet, the ball remains airborne?]

[Hit it again!]

[Dance with me, I want to be your partner,  Can’t you see the music is just starting, Night is calling and I am falling . . . ]

[Dance with me  . . . ]

[The Tigers were good shooters – if they could get an uncontested shot.  That didn’t happen often.  I believe this shoot was good, but Ella had the shooter screened from any rebound attempt . . . ]

[McKenzie was fouled in the post a few times early in the game . . . ]

[We still go 10-deep off the bench – here’s Mia McGrane (5), 5’8″ sophomore, good athlete and volleyball player . . . ]

[McKenzie’s back at the line again . . . ]

[Kaye starts the offense . . . ]

[Then Ms Grove demonstrates the finer points of the off-hand drive . . . ]

[As I recall, she ran smack dab into a wall of heavy traffic.  Fortunately, she was fouled.]

[The halftime score was indicative of the play . . . ]

[A point guard’s nightmare – to run into Emma right after crossing the midcourt line.]

[Or worse, to pass to a wing only to have her double-teamed by the 5’11” combo of Ella and Emma.  The team reminds me of our 2011 state tournament team – with length at every position, the double team trap is a very effective defensive weapon for creating turnovers . . . ]

[Two more players providing that ever popular “deep depth.”  Alayna Strand (55), 5’9″ freshman, is also very effective at the point of the press; and Emily Jones (“Jonesie”) (43), 6’1″ junior, contributes size and a terrific shooting touch . . . ]

[Here Mia swishes a couple of freebies . . . ]

[And with a connection to last year’s team, I would guess that Jaya Hatlestad (13), 5’4″ freshman, must be Macy’s little sister.  Appeared to be so when she tried her first ‘3,’ and made it . . . ]

[We’re a fun team to watch and could be a tough out at tournament time.]

This year we plan to run and shoot. Next season we hope to run and score.  ~  Billy Tubbs

Up Next:  Back to the cruise . . .