The game could’ve had a theme song, Survivor’s “Burning Heart.” The iconic drum beat from said track theoretically could’ve thumped four days, the length of time each squad prepped for the other. Boys basketball teams from Rushford-Peterson and Kingsland began the year with lofty hopes, particularly come play-off time. And though this year’s Trojans and Knights may not be … [Read more...]
Trojans Make It Clear to BP; It’s Not Football
In the first Tuesday 1A quarterfinal at Mayo Civic Arena, top-seed R-P (20-7) took on 9-seed Blooming Prairie (13-11). The last time the schools met, the Blossoms downed the Trojans in a football semifinal. BP’s student section remembered, chanting to the like. But March isn’t football season. March is basketball season. R-P very seldom loses their opening game in … [Read more...]
Hot Knights Shoot Past B.A.
In the second 1A quarterfinal, 5-seed Kingsland (16-11) took on 4-seed Faribault-Bethlehem Academy (15-11). The Knights have a knack for putting on big performances at Mayo Civic Auditorium. For one half, they were very much on, without range limitations. Wyatt Pruter bombed away, hitting four first half triples (14 pts). Zach Bubany led the offense, scoring seven points, … [Read more...]
Retro-Trojans to Section Title Game
And thus, for a spot in the Section 1A final, for a “sub-section” champion or second place trophy, 1-seed R-P (21-7) and 5-seed Kingsland (17-11) battled. The Knights entered in a rare spot. They beat the Trojans back in December 56-47, their first win over R-P since 2012 (eight meetings). As is the case as the stakes get higher in big games, strategy became key. In an … [Read more...]
All-TRC Wrestling
Ten total Chatfield, LARP, and FCLMC wrestlers have made the 2017-2018 All-TRC list. The Gophers lead the way with five All-Conference grapplers. Senior state runner-up Jake Mandt (145, 38-1) makes the list for a fifth time. He was undefeated in conference matches (9-0) for a third straight year. Freshman state third place finisher Seth Goetzinger (106, 34-8) is a repeat … [Read more...]
Athlete of the Week – Jake Mandt
Three Place at State Wrestling
For three youngsters, it was a great experience that foreshadows potential big futures. For one esteemed senior, it was the end of a prep career. And though it was a good end, it wasn’t a perfect one. Jake Mandt (senior, Chatfield), Seth Goetzinger (freshman, Chatfield), Carter Jonsgaard (freshman, LARP), and Caden Anderson (freshman, FCLMC) were this year’s county entrants … [Read more...]
Knights Go 16-3 For Big Comeback
Boys high school play-off basketball is upon us. Both sections 1A and 1AA should be wild, crazy, and highly competitive. A first round 1A contest between 12-seed Grand Meadow (12-13) and 5-seed Kingsland (15-11) started the ball rolling. The Knights won the regular season meeting 55-53 (each team down a starter Kingsland Wyatt Pruter, GM Colt Landers). The post-season … [Read more...]
20 Wins, On to Rochester
In a way, Rushford-Peterson (1-seed, 19-7) gave Houston (16-seed, 11-16) some help. In another Round of 16 1A contest, the Trojans played minus their top scorer and tallest player (6’5” Ben Ansell). The senior’s absence (concussion) had little effect on the outcome. A 1A play-off in Rochester just wouldn’t be the same if team green didn’t show up. Tom Vix’s boys will be … [Read more...]
Hot Shots
The last county girls basketball team left standing fell. Kingsland bowed to top-ranked L/P 75-46 in a 1A quarterfinal. Kristi Fett (41 pts, 18 rebs), a 6’5” senior center, was too much for the Knights. Kingsland finishes at 14-14. It is the tenth time this year they have been at .500. The girls 1A final four was composed of all formerly “West” teams. One-seed #1 L/P … [Read more...]