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| (image from "bluejay activities" on twitter) |
Waseca punched down the accelerator in second half play to down our Tigers in state. Our Tigers took the court at neutral site Chanhassen to play a team called the Bluejays. The birds against the cats. Cats are notorious for eating birds, even if they have just eaten. (I have researched some.)
The birds turned the tables on the cats in Wednesday play.
The game had a rare afternoon starting time of 4 p.m. Could the players get programmed that time of day? Ah, the resilience of youth! No problem. The Bluejays appeared to have a little more fuel in the tank, based on their superlative second half play. Or maybe their coach drew up shrewd tactics.
The Tigers had been a super team all season. They were humbled Wednesday. It's rare for high school teams to play on Wednesday. But we need to avoid a conflict with the sacred days of Easter, Thursday being "Maundy Thursday." All those Trump-supporting Christians need acceding to. Maybe the day will come when we don't see the need for that.
The Wednesday story was an 81-58 win by the Bluejays. The Tigers were within striking distance at halftime when the score stood 33-28. Hopes faded as the Bluejays truly fired on all cylinders coming out of halftime. They outscored us 48-30 in the second half. So the Bluejays keep climbing or keep flying. Waseca is seeded No. 1 in the South. Our orange and black was No. 4.
Now the Bluejays are focused on preparing to face those Otters of Fergus Falls. Game site will be Target Center. Fergus Falls is No. 3 out of the North. They beat No. 2 Annandale 47-44 at Alexandria. Waseca and Fergus Falls will vie at 5 p.m. Wednesday.
The Tigers wrap up the season with the memorable W/L record of 19-3. Plenty of talent will return for next season.
The Tigers had plenty of mettle to challenge Waseca early-on Wednesday. The score was tied 26-all at an early point. Waseca gave signs of things to come with a 7-0 run. This took them up to halftime. And there was carryover into the second half with a 13-4 run. The complexion of the game never changed after that. In fact the Bluejays soared to a lead as big as 32 points. I'm sure the mood grew disconsolate among MACA fans. Our optimism had been justifiably high.
The night's top scorer was Bluejay Andrew Morgan, 26 points. He also grabbed eleven rebounds. Ryan Dufault added 23 points, nine rebounds and five assists. Matt Seberson found the range to put in 16 points as Waseca improved to 21-1.
Jackson Loge was hitting on all cylinders for MACA as he scored 25 points. He was 8 of 18 in field goals. Unfortunately there was a dropoff after Loge's total. Brandon Jergenson scored eight points on three of eight shooting. Three Tigers each scored six: Durgin Decker, Andrew Olson and Sam Kleinwolterink. Riley Reimers scored four points and Thomas Tiernan three.
Our team field goal shooting was 20 of 44, 45 percent.
We were OK in 3-pointers with a 7-for-17 performance, 41 percent. Three Tigers each succeeded twice: Olson, Jergenson and Loge. Tiernan was held down on this day and he made one '3'. Our freethrow stats were 11 of 19, 58 percent. Loge made seven freethrows while Decker and Kleinwolterink each made two.
Loge had the team-best eight rebounds, one offensive. Decker and Toby Gonnerman each grabbed three rebounds - Riley Reimers grabbed two. Tiernan and Loge each had three assists while Decker supplied two. Jergenson had two steals of our team total seven. Loge had all our shot blocks: five. We had 19 turnovers.
Check out softball fields
Taking some walks as the weather gets nicer for spring? My personal route happens to go past the UMM softball fields. It's called a "complex," especially now that it's the focus for improvements thanks to an infusion of public money. Even the City of Morris is involved even though the facility is associated with UMM.
We all like nice new facilities for kids, no doubt. But I can't help but question the wisdom of this somewhat. Softball and baseball are not the only fair weather sports. What about soccer? Should we be pushing more kids toward soccer as opposed to the diamond sports? The kids get lots more healthy exercise playing soccer as opposed to baseball/softball. How much exercise does a right fielder get in a game? This individual might want to sit cross-legged and knit.
When you take a walk, go over to the UMM fields and see what you think. Last night for the first time, I walked through the inner part. I am underwhelmed. I don't care about that little building in the middle. A pressbox?
There is one big pregnant question: where are fans going to sit? Are there plans for bleachers or grandstands? This poses a logistical problem as I don't see space for such a thing. Trees are an obstruction for one thing, and there just isn't adequate space available. Some bleachers could be put up outside the centerfield fence, maybe, but fans might have to deal with the sun.
So if fans are not going to be seated, they'll all stand then? Or bring their lawnchairs? This would not spell a big-time softball facility. I was expecting to see some grandstand seating. We might even put in a bid for the state softball tournament. I attended this in Mankato a long time ago. You have to have fan seating.
Even if fans are content standing or sitting in lawn chairs, will they all get a decent view or will congestion be a problem? The fields should be spaced out a little more with room in between for bleachers or grandstands, IMHO. Will we see this issue addressed still? Softball season begins soon.
Is it worthwhile for City of Morris money to be put into this, at a time when our water bills have gone up?
Jim Morrison once famously wrote in an editorial, wondering if Morris was trying to become the "gymnasium capital of western Minnesota." Those words come back now that I'm wondering if we're trying to become the ballfield capital of western Minnesota. Again, what about soccer? Talk to Rev. Chris Richards about that.
- Brian Williams - morris mn minnesota - bwilly73@yahoo.com
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