Ankeny reaches 1000 points as Lakers win two

The 'Waska Lakers of GBB have elevated their record to 19-5! Lots of cheers coming from Laker country to the east of us. The success comes as we're all noticing hints of spring. Just hints. I believe this is called a "false spring." We spent so much of winter in the deep freeze. 

I find the current conditions therapeutic. But look at the calendar. Mid-February! Lots of winter could be remaining. Our current mild spell will get even milder on Sunday. Don't get out your shorts yet. 

Our "false spring" coincides with the major news story of the Nancy Guthrie kidnapping. If you know yours truly, you know I get quite interested in "true crime." The apparent kidnapping is really galvanizing the true crime enthusiasts. Man, I retired last night thinking that stuff was happening that would bring a prompt resolution. There were livestreams. My partner-in-spirit "JLR" of "JLR Investigates" was on top of the story. And this morning, no resolution. 

JLR has to roll up his sleeves again. 

With this story on hold (in an excruciating way), we can turn our thoughts to  basketball. The Minnewaska girls hope to make a run at the end like last year. They were fourth in state last year. All that success, and the school district still can't pass a referendum! That's a poser I guess. I feel that Glenwood and Starbuck are a little too far apart to create the kind of unified spirit they need. 

IMHO there should be a school on the outskirts of Glenwood. But that's water quite far under the bridge. 

The lake might look beautiful as you exit the school - I noticed this last summer after "Showstoppers" - but the lake does not produce kids or votes. It just looks beautiful. My late father grew up on the shores of Lake Minnewaska. He'd be quite happy about the Minnewaska Area girls basketball team of 2026. In addition to their 19-5 mark, they are 7-0 in section, 8-3 in conference and 12-2 as road warriors. 

It looks like the Lakers might face some obstacles for repeating last year's great heights. We'll see. Most recently the Laker crew defeated Eden Valley-Watkins on Tuesday and West Central Area on Thursday. West Central Area was last year's state champion in Class A. The Knights are coached by Morris product Becca Holland. 

The Lakers have just two games left in the regular season. They play today (Saturday) vs. New London-Spicer. Then they'll play Morris on Tuesday. After that? That's when the real excitement starts! We may get a resumption of winter weather by then, sigh.

 

Lakers 73, EV-Watkins 42

The Lakers cruised with this win by the hefty margin of 30-plus. The site was Eden Valley. The dominance was asserted in the first half which ended with a 40-28 score. 

Lauryn Ankeny was once again a cog for the Lakers. She led the double figures scorers with her 19 points. Those other double figures achievers were Berlynn Green 15 and Allie Mrnak 10. Lots of Lakers got into the scoring act. So let's acknowledge Alia Randt 8, Olivia Danielson 6, Kendall Danielson 4, Jayda Kolstoe 3, Eliana Marthaler 3, Norah VanZee 3 and Carly Jergenson 2. 

Wow! Lots of Lakers showed their three-point shooting chops! Is this the best sign for the post-season? Mrnak made three long-rangers and Olivia Danielson made two. These Lakers made one each from 3-point land: Green, Randt, Kendall Danielson, Kolstoe, Marthaler and VanZee. Ankeny snared nine rebounds. She and Green each supplied three assists. And we saw Ankeny and Randt each steal the ball five times. I'm used to seeing Ankeny lead in steals! Oh, and she had a blocked shot as did Kendall Danielson.

 

Lakers 57, WCA 47

The Thursday story included Berlynn Green coming on strong with 19 points. Lauryn Ankeny scored 12 and she stole the ball three times. The success was at the home gym which the West Central Tribune says is in "Glenwood." Hmmm. 

Ankeny reached the 1000 points career milestone. 

The Lakers led the Knights 32-19 at halftime. Here's the final scoring list: Green 19, Ankeny 12, Nori Song 9, Olivia Danielson 6, Alia Randt 5, Kendall Danielson 2, Allie Mrnak 2, and Jayda Kolstoe 2. 

Green and Song each made two 3-point shots and Randt made one. Ankeny topped rebounds with seven. Olivia Danielson was tops in assists with three. Three Lakers each had three steals: Green, Ankeny and Olivia Danielson. Green and Ankeny each blocked a shot. 

Hey Laker fans, let's keep the intensity high as we head toward post-season! But tomorrow (Sunday), get out and enjoy the mild temperature!

Home of the Lakers

- Brian Williams - morris mn minnesota - bwilly73@yahoo.com