alexandriacardinals

Dateline: Terre Haute, Indiana, March 19, 2011:

The team that makes the most shots wins. – Cub Reporter

[Thank you, ladies, for a terrific season!]

The 2011 Minnesota girls state basketball semi-finals – our Cards v. the No. 1-ranked and undefeated Hill-Murray Pioneers. We found it telling that of the four teams in the “final four” in Class AAA, our Cards were the only team that wasn’t a metro-area private school (the other two teams were De La Salle and Benilde-St. Margaret). So, we are the state public schools champions! We also found it telling that Irondale Cam, the “Troglodyte” who doesn’t much care for girls’ sports (despite having a gymnast daughter), deigned to make an appearance at Target Center with us. Will wonders never cease?

[Wending our way to Target Center, past Target Field, to George Mikan.]

We had seen Hill-Murray play a half of their first round game. On behalf of the Cards, I was not intimidated – I thought we had the better athletes. The beginning of the game proved my point. The “Troglodyte” could not believe the Pioneers could be the No. 1 team in the state – he kept saying, “They’re awful.” I had to keep reminding him the Card defense makes everyone look awful. The Cards raced out to 17 – 12 lead, with Lauren leading the charge with 10 early points. The Cards did indeed look like the quicker, faster team. Then, reflecting our out-state paranoia, we’re sure word came down from “on high” that the No. 1-seed must make the championship game! Lauren was hit with a 2nd foul call – and sat out the rest of the half, over 10 minutes. That changed the entire complexion of the game. The Pioneers went on a 16–0 streak – the Cards became tentative and began missing open lay-ups. We somehow closed it to 28-20 at the half – we were confident we would win with our usual 2nd-half run.

[The supervisor claims our seats!]

[The staff photographer and Ruth Helie Anderson.]

[We hope the staff photographer gets lots of good photos!]

The 2nd half opened with Lauren back in the line up. We immediately hit her on a beautiful back-door cut – but she missed the wide-open lay-up. I think that may have been the key play in the game – the Cards seemed to realize it too. The Pioneers had found their shooting touch – they had a player who seemed to hit every “3” she shot, a 6’4” center who was automatic inside, and an All-Metro big guard; the latter two will play D-1 basketball. The Cards could not afford to miss the bunnies – but they consistently did all game. Halfway through the second half, as the Pioneers were stretching their lead, the “Troglodyte” noted that if you didn’t look at the scoreboard you would think the Cardinals were winning – they just “seemed” to be the better team. He also noted we were wearing them out with our pressure – in a regular season game that may have been telling. But in this game, there were too many whistles and too many TV time-outs – rest time for a tired team. And, to their credit, the Pioneers made their shots – and the Cards didn’t. That ultimately created a weariness and sense of inevitability on the Cards – the final big margin, 68 – 41, was unfortunately terribly misleading.

[It was St. Paddy’s Day.  The “Troglodyte” took us on a tour.  The supervisor with Sid!]

[A power hitter and a singles hitter.]

[KIIIIRRRRR-BBBEEEEEE PUCK -ETT!]

[Target Field.]

[Joe Mauer.]

[Calvin and the “Troglodyte.”]

[Rodney Cline Carew.]

Yesterday, while I was washing the Minnesota winter off the car in Terre Haute, the Cards played the No. 2-seeded team (and defending state champions), Benilde-St. Margaret, for 3rd place at Concordia College. The game sounded in many ways similar to the Hill-Murray game, except this time the Cards stormed back. After trailing 33 – 21 at the half, the Cards closed to a final margin of 54 – 51 – they had several opportunities to win down the stretch but couldn’t quite do it. The stats were probably similar to the previous game – Benilde shot 60% from the field to the Cards’ 38%. But we turned them over 28 times giving us more opportunities. Apparently we missed a lot of bunnies as in the Hill-Murray game. De La Salle, who beat Benilde 54 – 45 in the semis, beat undefeated Hill-Murray by 20 for the championship. Based on comparative scores, on a good shooting night, the Cards had the ability to play with any of them.

So now we say good-bye to a terrific team – and thank them for a fun and exciting 25-5 season. Since we all presumed last year’s team was “the” team, I think we snuck up on a lot of people this year. Best wishes to our senior front line – Sam, Joie, and Alli – as they all matriculate to higher levels next year – and to fellow seniors, Lauren J, Brie, and Mo. They are all irreplaceable, of course – but like last year, you just never know. We have a good core coming back again next year in Lauren T, Cara, Whitney, and Amanda. Fergus and Sartell will be section favorites next year . . . but you just never know!

Ruthie’s Mom, Janella, is 93 years old and is in a nursing home in Terre Haute. Her nurse is a grand niece of Clyde Lovelette (see how we can tie everything back to basketball?). Clyde graduated from Garfield High in Terre Haute; Ruthie graduated from Garfield High in Terre Haute. Clyde went on to a Hall of Fame career in both college and pro basketball; Ruthie went on to a Hall of Fame career in the Pentagon. Clyde, at now 80-something years old, has moved back to Terre Haute; Ruthie, knowing how good she has it in Vacationland USA, has no plans to move back to Terre Haute. [Editor’s note: I’m writing this in the Terre Haute nursing home. I’m afraid my trusty HP Pavilion lap top computer has seen better days – the screen has lost its will to stand up by itself and just flops over flat. I’m making do, hoping not to knock over the lobby lamp it’s braced against.]

The thing I like about my body is that it’s strong. I can move furniture around my apartment. I can ride my horse . . . I can play basketball. It’s a well functioning machine. – Cindy Crawford

It’s 3:00 am. It’s Mounds View. What else you gonna do? The supervisor and I left Alexandria yesterday morning – already a day late in getting started on our vacation from retirement – for the opening round game of the 2011 Minnesota Girls State Basketball Tournament between our Cards and Grand Rapids at Williams Arena. As we left, an evening of Texas Hold ‘Em was being planned among a group of retired and allegedly still active federal bureaucrats at our ultimate destination – our nation’s capital.

[Ruthie approaches the venerable Barn.]

It was a beautiful winter morning – a major thaw was underway. We left Alex a little early for a mid-morning brunch at Emma Krumbee’s in St. Michael-Albertville and an early arrival at The Barn to catch half of the first game between state ranked No. 1 and undefeated Hill-Murray v. Red Wing. The Wingers were surprisingly ahead when we got there early in the 2nd half, but Hill-Murray dominated the rest of the game for a 20-point victory. We were briefly delayed trying to get to our seats because we could not get around three young ladies in Pioneer (i.e., Hill-Murray) attire slowly ambling (as only high school girls can amble) abreast around the concourse. I was further flummoxed after I made my “senior stop” to discover I had re-entered the concourse only to find myself once again trapped behind the Three Amblers. We discovered Super Fan Bethie Teeuwen at the game, but Mom Myrtle didn’t come because there would be too much walking. Dusty, Al and Ruth and Bud Anderson were also there along with the usual assortment of parents and grandparents. Oh, and we talked to Angela Christianson (there to see the Cards and her sister Amanda play) – she said she is doing fine after her accident; but for precautionary reasons, she did not play again until a little bit in Drake’s last game.

[Kohler’s pre-game stop-and-chat.]

[Staff photographer and Beth Teeuwen.]

Videos of intro and game start:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzZBRAgJ3H4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Sh-1iYKRYo

The game. The Cards started the game with a turnover. That is their policy – it helps relieve pre-game jitters. I believe we were down 4-0 before Joie Warnes made a couple free throws to get us on the board. The whole half was an energetic defensive battle with neither team being able to do much on offense. The Thunderhawks had a nice little lefty point guard, who averaged 17 points a game, and a 6’2” center, who was a real lane clogger (she had a lot of blocked shots and rebounds by just standing there with her arms up). The Cards had a 3-point lead as the clock ran down in the first half, but our last shot missed, and their lefty point guard had time to launch a last second shot from mid-court to tie the game at 17 at the half. One would think what a momentum boost for the Thunderhawks – one would be wrong.

The Cardinal signature avalanche started shortly after commencement of the 2nd half. The Cards opened with a 17-0 run to double the Thunderhawks output, 34-17 – Grand Rapids didn’t score until 11 minutes were left in the game. It was over. Our Cards were “strong . . . and a well functioning machine.” Our energy level went up – the Thunderhawks were overwhelmed – the Cards seemed to have 10 players on the court getting steals, rebounds, fast breaks, and lay-ups. Lauren Trumm had 21, 22, or 23 points (depending on your source), all but two in the 2nd half as she was everywhere. Lauren had a great game at the free throw line as well – the Cards as a whole have been shooting them well in the tournament. Alli had 11 points with three 3’s and a bunch of rebounds, Joie had 10, Sam had 7 battling their big center, and Cara was her usual steady self at the point. Whitney and Amanda were solid off the bench, and with the big point differential, everyone got to play in a state tournament game.

[Ruth Helie Anderson and the cub reporter represented the Alex Class of ’65.]

We celebrated, as tradition demands, any game played on the “U” campus by dining at Vescio’s in Dinkytown. Al joined us there.

If the Cards can put together an entire game like yesterday’s 2nd half, they can beat Hill-Murray (or anyone else) today. We’ll be heading to the Target Center for the noon tip-off.

All hockey players are bilingual. They know English and profanity. – Gordie Howe

[We can see open water on beautiful Lake Darling today.  Can spring be far behind?]

The following video chronicles the “best hair” at the 2011 Minnesota Boys’ Hockey State Tournament. Alexandria tied Blaine for best hair! [Thanks to Brother Cam for finding this.]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9NW6KB9C8Y

[From the Echo Press:  Cards in action v. Hermantown.]

The following video is from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls site. In this game, Gustavus defeated UWRF, 4 – 1, to move on to the Final Four in D-3 Women’s Hockey. For Alex Super Fans, the result would have been bittersweet either way, as both teams were represented by our 2008 state championship team: Danielle “Roadblock” Justice is the goalie for Gustavus (thus, the UWRF video were of their shots on goal – the Gustie coach said Roadblock “stood on her head” in the 3rd period); and Michelle Anez (No. 18) is a freshman forward for UWRF. The video shows Michelle getting a point blank shot, then congratulating a teammate for finally getting one by Danielle).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cw7RGPZdO54&feature=player_embedded

The following photos from that game were liberally (what else?) borrowed from Danielle’s mom, “Scoop.”

[Meanwhile, back at girls’ basketball:  Sam and Joie hoist section trophy (I forgot whom I borrowed this from?)]

[From Fargo Forum site:  Joie chases down an Otter.]

My computer’s broke! – Staff Photographer, on why he hasn’t posted any photos for a while [After the events of last evening, let’s hope he’s up and running soon!]

Got home at 1PM today. Unloaded and unpacked some stuff. Too tired to do it all today. Presently watching golf and sucking on a Jack and soda.  Tues I see Doc Dale to hopefully schedule surgery on this knee of mine. Hope the girls can get the job done tonite. – Super Fan Bob Annen, as he and Viv just got home from 2 ½ months in Sarasota

Blog staff vacation delayed! Last night, at St. John’s University, the Alexandria Cardinal girls’ basketball team defeated the Fergus Falls Otters, 46 – 40, to win the section championship and a trip to the state tournament next week. But, more about that later.

The secret is to have eight great players and four others who will cheer like crazy. ~ Jerry Tarkanian

The only difference between a good shot and a bad shot is if it goes in or not. ~ Charles Barkley

Earlier, the supervisor and I discovered it is exactly one hour from our garage to St. John’s University. Ruthie was a bit concerned about the weather forecast – there were winter weather advisory postings for our area. We made it to the campus without incident. We were even directed into the small parking lot next to the gym – a quick drive-thru determined we had lost the last spot to the Trumm contingent. That was fine – it was their gig! We parked in a lot down the hill and across the street. We discovered Robo as soon as we entered the arena. He and Joyce had been in St. Cloud earlier in the day, and Joyce dropped him off (she had to head home for the dog) and then we would drive him home after the game.

You can run a lot of plays when your X is twice as big as the other guys’ O. It makes your  X’s and O’s pretty good. ~ Paul Westphal

Fans never fall asleep at our games, because they’re afraid they might get hit by a pass. ~ George Raveling

[Trumm family courtside reunion.]

Alex fans came in good numbers. The full complement of Super Fans were there – the Rileys, the Andersons, the Hoymes, the Halversons, and Dusty snuck in, unnoticed by blog staff for some time. Fergus had won two close games against the Cards during the regular season – both times when key Cards fouled out. We had reason to believe that couldn’t happen again (could it?) – that, and applying the Joyce Rogosheske axiom that it’s hard to beat a team three times in one season – so we were optimistic.

[Super Fans Hoymes and Halversons.]

I hate it. It looks like a stickup at 7-Eleven. Five guys standing there with their hands in the air. ~ Norm Sloan, on zone defense

[(“I hope they all vote ‘yes’ on the school bond referendum.”)]

We have a great bunch of outside shooters. Unfortunately, all our games are played indoors. ~ Weldon Drew

[“When does golf start?”]

The game began. It was obvious these were two good defensive teams. And with natural jitters, the Cards started the game with multiple turnovers (see video). Fergus was having their difficulties as well, but they hit a lay-up, and then a three to establish an early lead. Fergus built on the lead during an intense first half. The Otters had a little guard they would plant down in a corner and occasionally the Cards 1-3-1 defense couldn’t get to her fast enough, and she hit several rainbow threes – I told Robo at the time that we may to go to a box-and-one on her (we went man-to-man). Their bigs are bigger than our bigs – and although we were the first team all year to out rebound them the last time we played – the Otters controlled the boards in the first half.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awq2UBV3XEc

I haven’t been able to slam-dunk the basketball for the past five years. Or, for the thirty-eight years before that, either. ~ Dave Barry

[Student “fans.”]

As the half wore down, the Otters had a 22 – 13 lead. The supervisor admitted later whispering to Robo that our vacation would probably now begin as scheduled (Oh, she of little faith). The Cards closed strong and were only down 22 – 20 at the half. I was confident.

To win, you’ve got to put the ball in the macramé. ~ Terry McGuire

If you meet the Buddha in the lane, feed him the ball. ~ Phil Jackson

The blowout runs the Cards have employed in recent games never really came this time. However, they began the 2nd half on an up tick and grabbed their first lead of the game. Then it went back and forth for a while.  Our rebounding and shooting improved in the 2nd half – and Joie, mostly, shut down their little shooter. But we still had issues – even the mild-mannered Mr. Rogosheske felt obliged to voice his opinion several times in the direction of the referees. Alli was called for a phantom foul (well, in our opinion, and obviously hers as well) mid-way through the 2nd on which the Otter player scored. Then he slapped Alli for a technical foul as well – apparently for slamming the ball on the floor. That gave her 4 fouls, so a key Cardinal was forced to the bench with half of the half left. Justice prevailed, however. In what could have been an 8-point play for the Otters, they only got two – on the initial basket. The scorer missed her free throw, their designated shooter missed both technical foul shots, and, I believe, the Cards created a turnover after the Otters unbounded the ball again (they could have made a 3 on that possession). Alli eventually did foul out with about 6 minutes left and the score tied at 34, but Whitney, who spelled her earlier after the 4th and again after she fouled out, did a great job. In fact, she created another ref incident when she corralled a rebound and held on tight while the Otters were obviously trying to foul her – still, our “favorite” ref didn’t see any fouls and called jump ball instead. Fergus got the ball on the alternate possession, and that could have been costly.

But the Cards won because, of all things, by making their free throws down the stretch (and, of course, because of my pink socks, whose history are synonymous with girls hockey successes) – and because Lauren made some great lay-ups to open up the late lead. LT and Sam had 16 and 10, respectively, Alli had 8, and Joie had 7 – the good balance, as usual – Cara had a great floor game, and Whitney and Amanda had important minutes. Now it’s off to Williams Arena for the state tournament (6th time, first since 2003) – opening game on Wednesday, time to be determined after the seedings. Fergus has its entire team back and likely will be the section favorite next year. But Alex beat Fergus in the section finals in both boys and girls hockey, and now in girls basketball this year. And did you hear the Anoka girls team, which won two games all season, ran the table in the sections and is going to state?

The post-game celebration video. It explains why Roger, Robo, Weakie, and I, much to the consternation of Cam and Harry, prefer following the girls’ teams – they have more fun:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Poxq0b70fSI

The subject title. It’s tournament time, after all. We left the arena before 8:00 – the game and post-game activities took less than two hours. It was snowing lightly. By the time we drove out of the lot, it was coming down hard – and the wind was really blowing. There was a mad dash for the interstate – all of Alexandria and Fergus Falls were headed in the same direction. The predicted blizzard was underway. There was not going to be a lot of snow – but the blowing snow was causing whiteouts. Travel on the interstate was averaging about 50 miles per hour – except for the 18-wheelers, who were full speed ahead. Every time one passed us, we were blinded by the fog of swirling snow. We were white knuckle driving and wanted to get off the interstate as soon as possible. Dave called Joyce when we hit Sauk Centre, and told her to pick him up at SAWA – plus, we could have a celebration there. We took the back road in from West Union. We could have driven Dave all the way to the wilds of the west side of Lake Miltona – where there are “Watch Out for Man-eating Bears” signs all along the way – but they were concerned that the drive home would be tough for us on unfamiliar roads. We all made it to SAWA – and toasted the Cards!

SEE YOU AT THE BARN – DON’T FORGET TO TURN YOUR CLOCKS AHEAD TONIGHT!

[Addendum (i.e., things I forgot):  Kohler was bear-hugged off the floor by each of her players when they handed out the individual medals; then she raced through the stands high-fiving all the fans.

Fans check in:

Bruce Campbell (drove the team bus): That was the most exciting a basketball game I have seen.  Too bad someone had to lose.  Now on to the state.

Bob “Weakie” Annen:  Man, that must have been a helluva drive home.

“Crazy” Dave Owen (our prospective host in Sarasota):  Does that mean you’ll be in Sarasota in June if we win it all?  Save your gas and come over and enjoy ribs on the green egg in CB [Camp Ballentine].

 Gretchen Nelson (still hiding out in California):  Of course they’d win, and of course the boys would show up the way they did.  I’ve said over and over that this year’s seniors are the most cohesive, support one another crowd I’ve seen on that campus.  As I stated earlier, otters are bound to earth-lings and cardinals are flitters.  That was certainly true from that video (and thank you for that).  It is extremely painful to sit here on pins and needles and not be amongst the cheerers.   And of course Alli would get a technical—she’s molded out of different stuff.  You’ve not seen anything till you see her take a short running ceiling leap in the halls of JHS.  This had to be the year.  They’ve learned what team means and they like each other.  As soon as we read your headline last night after a night of entertaining old friends, I asked Don to fly me back and (another of course) he just looked at me.  My breath will be baited.  Trust your vacation will be delayed. 🙂  Thanks again. ~  Gretchen

[I don’t feel old.  I don’t feel anything until noon.  Then it’s time for my nap. Bob Hope]