Let there be basketball! It's not a routine pronouncement in this unusual year of 2021, at least the way it's starting out. We are all trying to find some semblance of normal life, as if we're trying to deny the hardship of the pandemic.
Basketball ended last year just before the state boys tournament. We sensed the end coming pretty abruptly. I remember the MACA girls game at Minnewaska against Eden Valley-Watkins. Life seemed entirely normal that night. There really wasn't a hint that anything was going to be amiss.
Those of us who are experiencing this will never take normal life for granted again. It's just like the gratefulness of the Depression generation after that distinct adversity was over. My late parents were in that category. Yours truly is in the category of those who will put the pandemic behind them. We will rejoice in the normal things like high school basketball.
Some churches are now getting some people in the pews again. Mine is: First Lutheran Church of Morris. I was actually surprised how many people were present this past Sunday. I am heartened by that, provided everyone is showing proper prudence. The national news is still rather scary with the pandemic updates, the toll of suffering and death. We pay attention to that while still seeking the satisfaction of normal life, like going to church. And, supporting high school basketball.
So, MACA fans could feel quite happy seeing the orange and black on top vs. Sauk Centre. Our team made the trip east toward Streeter country. Not sure how many fans made the trip or were even allowed at the game. Social distancing is still respected everywhere, and masks. Are the players in fact wearing masks, as was originally announced? There was some attempted pushback on that. I'm a little out of the loop in some ways.
We can certainly feel satisfied with the game's outcome: not only a win, but a win by a generous margin. The Tigers downed the Streeters 49-22. Jackson Loge continued his significant prep hoops career, on this night with his 21 points. He blocked five shots. We took charge by halftime, at which point we had a 26-12 lead. This was our second win in as many games, while Sauk Centre slid to 0-2. The Tigers outscored Sauk 23-10 in the second half.
Thomas Tiernan made noise offensively with his 12 points. Others who scored: Brandon Jergenson 7, Cole Wente 2, Sam Kleinwolterink 2, Evan Oberg 2, Durgin Decker 1, Riley Reimers 1 and Toby Gonnerman 1. Tiernan and Loge each made two 3-pointers while Jergenson made one. Decker and Loge had nine and eight rebounds respectively. Loge dished out three assists. Three Tigers each had a steal: Hondo Luna, Jergenson and Loge.
Girls: New London-Spicer 72, Tigers 31
Seems like the "old days" for yours truly to review the MACA girls game against New London-Spicer. I remember the days when we couldn't mount any kind of challenge to the vaunted NL-S program. The Tigers had an uphill climb over a period of time. We certainly emerged from that with competitiveness. Bumps in the road can never be ruled out, alas. And leave it to the Mike Dreier-coached Wildcats to create an occasional bump.
Like crime, death and taxes, we can count on seeing the NL-Spicer girls as a powerful foe. This is certainly what unfolded as we were dealt our second loss in as many games. NL-Spicer surged to 2-0 on the young (and atypical) basketball season. We were drubbed in the 72-31 final. We'll have to strive to regroup. The Wildcats charged out to a 35-19 halftime lead.
The game's stats show NL-S with a pinpoint eye in three-point shooting. Avery Rich sank three long-rangers. Mackenzie Rich sank two, while Jaden Coahran and Emma Hanson each had one.
The Rich girls were offensive leaders with Avery scoring 13 points and Mackenzie 12. Erin Knisley also contributed 12 points. Grace DeSchepper and Avy Kraemer each scored eight points. Jaden Coahran supplied seven. Others who scored: Emma Hanson 5, Ellie Hanson 3, Dakota Rich 2 and Delaney Hanson 2.
Kraemer and DeSchepper set the pace in rebounds, each with seven. Mackenzie Rich supplied seven assists. Avery Rich had three steals.
We have fewer points to report on the MACA side, alas, and no one made double figures. The pace was set by LaRae Kram with seven points while Meredith Carrington and Maddy Grove each scored six. Sydney Dietz put in five, Shannon Dougherty 4, Kaylie Raths 2 and Emma Bowman one. Kram had our only three-pointer.
I hear a rumor that our Morris Public Library is in the process of opening its doors to the public more.
- Brian Williams - morris mn minnesota - bwilly73@yahoo.com
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