alexandriacardinals

Fergus Falls – 40, Alexandria – 36.  You know it was a big game. Ruthie was there for the first time. Gary Otto was there for the first time. And Laura and Larry McCoy were there for the first time – well, at least since the 80’s when they watched three all-conference progeny perform on a regular basis. And, of course, Luella and Otto were there. We were all there to watch our undefeated girls’ basketball Cards play once beaten Fergus Falls to keep pace with undefeated Sartell in the conference. I think it was the biggest crowd of the season, boy or girl.

[Super, SUPER fans, Luella and Otto Vendell]

After a fine dining experience on the supervisor’s D. Michael B’s gift certificate, a birthday present from the kids, we arrived early at JHS to catch a good part of the JV game – you know, to check out the future. The JV team had a winning record – but the problem with basketball at that level is that it can be like watching fast pitch softball with a dominant pitcher; a big player makes it a one-person game. Fergus Falls had a 6’2”center, and she was at least 4” taller than anyone for Alex. The Otters just kept lobbing the ball into her, she’d make a lay-up, and they did it over and over again. The game was a rout for the Otters – so we really couldn’t tell much; except when they’re all varsity players we hope the Alex girls have grown to a similar size.

[Varsity, in civvies, there to cheer on the JV]

There was concern in that regard for the varsity game. Although the Cards have good overall size with three 6’1” players, Fergus has a 6’3” center and two other players who are 6’2”. A couple of inches can make a big difference in the girls’ game. But soon after the game began, we could see that size difference wasn’t going to make a difference – except to the extent the Cards may have rushed shots from underneath. The Card “bigs” have an athletic edge on the Otters – quicker, faster, better jumpers. And while that athletic edge did neutralize the Otters good center, to her credit when she did get the ball underneath, she made her shots . . .

That is something the Cards couldn’t do. Despite another great defensive game – that thoroughly impressed the McCoys – poor shooting percentages from the floor and the free throw line doomed the Cards. If you hold a good team to 40 points, your chances for victory are generally pretty good. But the Cards faced another packed in 2-3 zone, with big people on the back row, and were hesitant to shoot from the periphery. Only Alli Haar seemed willing to shoot something other than lay-ups.  [Late entry from the January 19 Echo – the Cards shot less than 20 per cent for the game.  Their defense is so good they almost win despite their shooting.]

Despite the loss, the team created new fans. They are as impressed as I am by the best defensive team I have ever seen – and that makes them extremely entertaining to watch. They will be in the running for post-season success – and we’ll go along for the ride. Next up – at undefeated Sartell (they beat Fergus) on Tuesday. Should be another dynamite game!  [That day is also forecast to be the 1st of three days in a row where the thermometer is not expected to breach ZERO.  I know the snowbirds love to hear that stuff.]

Video of the 1st 5 minutes of the game, with analysis from “Dr.” McCoy:

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

[In keeping with the melancholy nature of the weekend, we decided to de-Christmasize the house this morning.  Now the place looks like Broadway after the lights are down – a little drab and boring.  For your information, there were 62 ornaments on the 6-foot tree on the lower level.  I’m sure you’ve been lying awake nights wondering about that.]

Last night was the fundraiser for the girls’ hockey team at the Eagles’ Club. In keeping with tradition (a tradition that must be almost a decade long now), bison burgers and chili were delightfully served up by the JV’s (the varsity may have subbed later, but by then the Super Fans had moved up to the penthouse for adult beverages). Our arrival in the food line was mindful of a past fundraiser when Super Fan Annen had the audacity to ask the JV servers where the “stars” were – he was properly rebuffed by a probable 8th-grader who responded they were all stars and the equivalent of “No soup for you!”  [It should be noted that as part of their pre-season dry land training, the players are responsible for rounding up the bison, armed only with hockey sticks and, in the case of goalies, a little extra padding.]

With a fresh coating of white on a daily basis, we have decided the Christmas season is not over. As we were getting ready to leave, we captured fisher guys out front through another snowfall that was limiting visibility. And before we could leave, as always, we had to shovel the slab. The snow bank on the side of the driveway is now of such weight that our house has moved two feet closer to Dangerous Dan’s house!

So, here we are. Ruthie made a beeline to the silent auction tables. Then enjoyed her bison burger. Sara Illies, mom to varsity players Claire and Becca, “manned” the ticket table with youngest daughter, Kaia, who proved to be camera shy and exited stage left. We made it home on snow-covered roads where Ruthie displayed this year’s take.

People thought I was spoofing when I said we had to rent a U-Haul to get Ruthie’s haul home in 2008. Below is the photographic evidence.

We had planned to go the boys’ basketball game after the fundraiser, but we pooped out. The Cards were playing undefeated St. Cloud Apollo. We listened a bit to the game on the way home – the Eagles had a large lead at the half. And a good part of the reason was their front line at 6’9”, 6’7”, and 6’5” with another 6’5” guy off the bench – that’s college team size – the Cards’ tallest player is 6’4”. The Cards came back some in the 2nd-half but fell to the 1st-place Eagles, 74-58.

Big game tonight for the girl roundballers as they put their perfect record on the line hosting the once defeated Fergus Falls Otters.  In alumni news, Angela Christianson was the leading scorer for Drake, with 14 points, in their 68-64 win over Bradley.

It was a busy night for Cardinal sports teams. Unfortunately, we could not “participate” at any of them. Sometimes other life things intervene – and it was Thursday night, so after the other “intervention,” we were able to return to our usual date night venue, Sixth Avenue Wine & Ale. Before we begin our 3rd-person sports report, I just wanted to advise the snowbirds on this line that zebra mussels have been confirmed in Lake Victoria. While that is bad news, the good news is the total Chain of Lakes is accessible to all again as there is no need to protect Victoria and Geneva from each other.

[Minneapolis Tribune, 1952]

                                                                                                      [Minneapolis Tribune, c. 1956]

You may have noticed (but why should you), WordPress provides for an editor’s profile. Despite my usual hamminess, I have never gone there. Absent any live reporting from last night’s events, I have decided to take this opportunity to inflict upon you my bona fides as a sports reporter – it is a bit disheartening that it can be accomplished through a mere 12 photos, randomly placed throughout the article.

[Bears, c. ’58]

[2nd place, VFW state tournament, 1962]

In the one home game last night, the boys’ hockey team tied the Otters of Fergus Falls at 4-4. This apparently was a well-played game by both teams with a good fan turnout.

                             [U of M Class B champs, 1966]

                    [Army golf, Okinawa, 1971]

The girls’ basketball team won handily again – 55-38 at Rocori. The Trumm sisters each had a double-double – Lauren’s double included the rarely achieved 10 steals! The Cards are now 10-0, and I believe ranked 8th in the state. The big game is here Saturday night against Fergus, who has just one loss. And tonight, the boys’ basketball team hosts undefeated St. Cloud Apollo (attendance possible after . . . see below)

             [Blue fish, surf fishing, Outer Banks, North Carolina, c. ’90’s]

[Mavericks, Department of Labor champs, 1988]

[Mavericks, Department of Labor champs with Secretary Robert Reich, c. ’90’s]

The girls’ hockey team remains snake bitten. They lost 2-1 at Fergus (who will be their main contender in the section) although they out shot the Otters for the game and held them to only two shots in the final period. Tonight is the team’s chili and bison burger fund raiser at the Eagle’s – I was trying to think if I could wear a silly outfit, like a suit and tie, to help cheer them up?

[At RCC, 2003]

[World-famous (small world) chili, 2010]

[The Editor, 2007]

The staff photographer went all the way to Moorhead, came home that same night (I assume) – on a route that is deterring a basketball adventure to UND with Basketball Dan this weekend – and had the photos posted by morning. Accordingly, I feel a certain obligation to display them.

We learned from the Moorhead paper this morning that the Cards had great scoring balance again, with four players in double figures and Lauren Trumm, the team’s leading scorer, had 9. We subsequently learned from Coach Kohler’s Cardinal Connection report that Lauren took a shoe to the noggin, requiring stitches, and didn’t play in the 2nd half. Lauren said she is fine and will be ready to go next game.

The Cards started in a hurry as they are wont to do and had the Spuds down 25-5 early on. The lead reached 32. It appears the “depth” got a lot of chances to play and the photographer featured them here.

[Warm-ups!]

[Joie says, “Hi, Spud!”]

[Last year, Hockey Mom Justice inquired of me the purpose of the cardinal on the players’ . . . er, posteriors.  My only thought was that if a rebounder forgot what color jerseys the team was wearing that night, she could still execute an outlet pass.]

[Staff photographer joins the huddle.]

[Sam wins another opening tip; Grandma and Grandpa are happy.]

[Point guard Cara attacks a press.]

[Lauren exercises her soccer goaltending abilities at the point of the 1-3-1 zone trap.]

[“Good job guys!”]

[Brianna Ebert (No. 11), 5’8″ senior – 1st guard of “depth.”  “Just put that alley-oop pass just a little higher for Joie next time.”]

[R-E-B-O-U-N-D!  Sam, Whitney, Joie, and Alli, with the double-reverse judo pivot move.]

[Lauren Johnson (No. 45), 5’9″ senior front court “depth” – granddaugher of Helen and Manley.]

Fun facts about the school, gleaned from sitting next to a school board member last night:  Jefferson High School was built for $1 million almost 60 years ago (a new floor was put in the gym about 10 years ago for $250,000) – the proposed new high school will cost $60 milllion, give or take a few.  Meaning the cost of building high schools goes up about a $1 million a year.

The supervisor moved me to the basement this morning – the ladies were here for bridge.  So, while I was thus able to use my time for this purpose, I’m not sure if I’m done here yet (lots more photos).  But now I’m obliged to escort “she who must be obeyed” to the senior citizens matinee movie.  [Editor’s note:  This may not be the appropriate place for this, but what the heck.  Ruthie forced me to see the lastest Fokkers.  I think it was probably best of a limited menu.  But it was a matinee – targeting we seniors.  An event that takes place on the second Wednesday of each month @ 1:30.  We arrived at 1:20.  The parking lot was absolutely full, despite the minus 3 temperature.  Inside, the lines serpentined everywhere – every old person in Alex was there.  In fact, I believe they emptied the nursing homes. All movies were $4.00, and pop and popcorn were each $1.00 – seniors know bargains.  I overheard the couples in front of and behind me – neither had been to this theater before.  One guy said the last movie he saw was Rain Man (that was in 1988, lest you forgot).  When the movie ended, all we old guys “sprinted” to the men’s room – that $1.00 pop, you know.  When I entered I thought I’d stumbled into a tuba concert – you figure it out.  I tried to get out as soon as I could before totally convulsing in laughter!]

[A scout from the “U” peaks in the door?]

[Defense!]

[A happy Spud while Joie shoots.]

[Coach says . . .]

On the 15th we play Fergus, on the 18th we play Sartell.  They are THE competition.  Hold my calls!