MINNEAPOLIS SOUTHWEST WENT UP AGAINST MINNEAPOLIS WASHBURN IN A FOOTBALL GAME

On Oct. 10 it was Washburn high school’s homecoming as they went up against rival Southwest in a football game.

Washburn kicked off to start the game. Southwest started on their own 46 yard line. Brennan Hawkins found Talon Benavides for a touchdown. The extra-point attempt was good.

With 11:45 left in the first quarter the score was Southwest 7, Washburn 0.

Southwest kicked off after the touchdown. Washburn looked to get the ball down the field.

Washburn’s Bobby Abbaa got the ball and was able to get down the field as he looked to get first downs. Washburn’s Mohamed Mahamud came up with a huge run that got Washburn into the end zone. Mahamud found the end zone on a two-yard run. The extra-point attempt was good.

With 9:21 left in the first quarter the score was tied at 7.

Washburn kicked off after the touchdown. Southwest started on their own 23 yard line.  Southwest also was able to get the ball into the hands of Deshaun Brown who came up with a first down.

Southwest fumbled the ball and Washburn took over.

Washburn looked to keep the ball on the ground as they looked to take time off the clock. Washburn had to punt the ball on fourth down.

Southwest fumbled the ball and Washburn took over.

Washburn looked to put the ball in the air as they looked to pass the ball down the field. Washburn quarterback Alex Reyes did a good job of finding his receivers and running backs.

Washburn called a timeout with 4:22 left in the first quarter. The score was tied at 7. Washburn punted the ball on fourth-and-12.

Southwest took over on their own one yard line. Southwest was not able to get a first down so they punted on fourth-and-eight.

Washburn turned the ball over on downs.

After the first quarter the score was tied at 7.

Southwest was not able to get a first down and they had to punt the ball on fourth down.

Washburn punted the ball on fourth-and-long.

Southwest’s Kiley Demery came up with a first down run that moved the chains.  The Washburn defense did step up though as they made Southwest put the ball on fourth-and-long.

Washburn was continued to keep the ball on the ground as they were able to keep the running attack going.

Washburn called a timeout with 4:50 left in the second quarter. The score was tied at 7.

Washburn was picked off by Southwest’s Ash Mkali.

Southwest took over on the Washburn’s 30 yard line. The defense backed the Southwest offence back. Southwest attempted a 34 yard field goal which was no good.

Washburn looked to get the ball into the end zone late in the second quarter. They did just that as DeAngelo Moore came up with a 20-yard touchdown reception. The extra-point attempt was not good.

With 10 seconds left in the second quarter the score was Washburn 13, Southwest 7. That was the score at halftime.

Southwest kicked off to start the third quarter. Washburn started the first series of the third quarter on the 26 yard line. Reyes came up with a huge pass to Moore who made a nice catch for a first down.

The Southwest defense raised havoc on the Washburn offense. The Washburn quarterback hand to scramble to get out of situations. Washburn went for it on fourth and long but were unsuccessful and Southwest took over.

Southwest was not able to move the ball down the field. So they had to punt on fourth and long.

Washburn went to the air again as R-Jay Holden came up with a first down. Then Washburn went to the ground attack. As they were able to run the clock after late in the third quarter.  

Both teams traded possessions as neither team was able to get first downs and they both elected to punt on fourth down.

Washburn called a timeout with 3:27 left in the third quarter. The score was Washburn 13, Southwest 7.

Southwest got the ball back after a punt by Washburn. Southwest used a lot of time off the clock late in the third quarter.  

After three quarters of play the score was Washburn 13, Southwest 7.

Southwest went for it on fourth-and-four but were unsuccessful at coming up with a first down so they turned it over.

Washburn’s offense sputtered for a bit in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter.

Southwest’s also had trouble moving the ball midway through the fourth quarter.

Southwest blocked a punt and Southwest recovered it.

Southwest’s Deshaun Brown found the end zone on a one-yard run. The extra-point attempt was good.

With 6:09 left in the fourth quarter the score was Southwest 14, Washburn 13.

Washburn got the ball back after the touchdown and Southwest’s Rashiq French came up with an interception.

French came up with some big runs that helped his team get first downs late in the contest.

Both teams played hard throughout the contest. Both teams didn’t give up. Southwest came away with the 14-13 victory over Washburn.

MINNESOTA TWINS FIRE MANAGER RON GARDENHIRE

On Sept. 29, 2014 the Minnesota Twins fired manager Ronald Clyde "Gardy" Gardenhire.

Gardenhire was hired as the team manager in 2001. Gardenhire has been with the team since 1991 when he was hired to be a coach for the Minnesota Twins.  

He took over for Tom Kelly who retired after the 2002 season.

2014 MSHSL STATE ROBOTICS TOURNAMENT

On May 17, Williams Arena was the site of the 2014 Minnesota F.I.R.S.T. (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) State Robotics Tournament. This is the third year of the state tournament of Robotics.

According to the U.S. F.I.R.S.T. Web site: “FIRST was founded in 1989 to inspire young people's interest and participation in science and technology.” Based in Manchester, NH, the 501c not-for-profit public charity designs accessible, innovative programs that motivate young people to pursue education and career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and math, while building self-confidence, knowledge, and life skills.” “The qualified teams represent the top 30 Minnesota teams from various FIRST® regional competitions. Minnesota had the third largest FIRST® Robotics Competition state contingent in the nation in 2013 with 180 teams, and for 2014 that number jumped to 207 teams.

Here is an alphabetic list of the 30 qualified teams, preceded by each team's FIRST®-designated number: 3313 Alexandria; 4607 Becker; 2181 Blaine; 2498 The Blake School, Minneapolis; 4778 Chanhassen; 4009 Duluth Denfeld; 2512 Duluth East; 2502 Eden Prairie; 1816 Edina; 3293 Fergus Falls; 4539 Frazee; 2227 Fridley; 5172 Greenbush-Middle River; 2052 Irondale, New Brighton; 4845 Lakeview Christian Academy, Duluth; 2175 Math and Science Academy; 3926 Mounds Park Academy, St. Paul; 3102 Nevis; 3038 Chisago Lakes/North Branch; 5290 North Lakes Academy, Forest Lake; 4624 Owatonna; 3883 Park, Cottage Grove; 2169 Prior Lake/Savage; 2530 Rochester; 4536 St. Paul Central; 3202 St. Paul Harding; 3018 St. Peter/Mankato/Crystal Lake; 3007 Tartan, Oakdale; 3277 Thief River Falls; and 4656 Two Harbors.”

Each team played 9 matches. According to wikipedia.org: “In the game, the alliances win via getting the scoring elements (2'-diameter exercise balls) into the scoring areas located on the far end of the field. The game starts with each robots in either the White Zone (center field) or the goalie zones. They can be preloaded with 1 game ball prior to the start. The match begins with a 10-second autonomous period, where robots use the pre-programmed instructions to score points. Said points are worth 5 more during the Autonomous period, and one goal will be lit up ("hot") during each half. That goal is worth 5 additional points, for a maximum total of a 10 point bonus. In addition, every robot that moves from the center to their own side of the field earns another five point bonus. When Tele-op starts, the teams take control of their respective robots. The cycle starts when a human player transfers a ball onto the playing field. The robots can then do either the basic goal score (take the ball to the other end of the field), or assist them in doing so. The recipient of the latter will earn bonus points (2 assists=10 points, 3 assists=30 points). Throwing the ball over the truss (the midpoint overhang) when transferring, a la volleyball, will add 10 additional points. Having an alliance partner catch it will earn 10 more points. A robot in the goalie zones can block shots via extending upwards.

There are six robots are on the playing floor at one time. Each team is placed in an Alliance and each alliance comprised of three teams. The teams didn’t know going into the tournament who they were going to be teamed up with. There was a meeting where they picked their alliances.

The top 12 teams made it to the made it to the semifinals. Then each alliance went at it again for the semifinal round.

After the semifinal rounds the bottom six teams went on to play a third place match and the top six teams played for the championships.

The alliance made from Match and Science Academy, Irondale and Chanhassen won the 2014 MSHSL State Robotics state championship.

ROBOTS TO TAKE OVER WILLIAMS ARENA

According to a press release from the Minnesota State High School League, “Exercise balls to be launched, caught and scored in the 2014 game. Exercise balls about two feet in diameter will be launched, caught and scored at Williams Arena on Saturday, May 17, with the action undertaken by robots designed, built and controlled by 30 teams of Minnesota high school students.

The Minnesota State Robotics Tournament is in its third year and was the first of its kind in the nation sponsored by a high school activities association. It will be conducted on the famous raised floor of “The Barn.” Students on 30 teams throughout Minnesota will compete to claim the state championship.”

The qualified teams represent the top 30 Minnesota teams from various FIRST® regional competitions. Minnesota had the third largest FIRST® Robotics Competition state contingent in the nation in 2013 with 180 teams, and for 2014 that number jumped to 207 teams.

Admission to the tournament is free. The schedule: Opening Ceremonies at 8:30 a.m.; Qualification Matches involving randomly drawn alliances from 8:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 to 2:45 p.m.; Semifinals, Third Place and Championship matches in best 2-out-of-3 competition involving the top four qualifying teams that choose their own alliance partners begin at 3:15 p.m.; Awards will be presented at about 4:30 p.m”.

Last year I went and covered the event and everyone had a good time. You can watch the students work on their Robots and talk to them about making them.

ZACH LOFTON TO TRANSFER TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA

Zach Lofton will be transferring to the University of Minnesota. Lofton graduated from Columbia Heights in 2011.

 

According to Marcus Fuller of the St. Paul Pioneer Press: “Lofton, a 6-foot-4, 200-pound guard, averaged 11.3 points as a sophomore with the RedBirds this season but said he wanted to play closer to home and didn't get much resistance from Illinois State, which suspended him for the final three games of last season for undisclosed reasons.”

EASTVIEW TOOK ON BLOOMINGTON KENNEDY IN THE CLASS 4A STATE TITLE GAME

Eastview and Bloomington Kennedy went up against each other in the class 4A state championship game.

 

Eastview looked to set up their offense in the half-court.

 

There was a media timeout with 14:48 left in the first half. The score was Bloomington Kennedy 9 Eastview 4.

 

Kennedy was able to get the ball into the hands of Za’Keea Sa’Eed-El.

 

Kennedy called a timeout with 11:16 left in the first half. The score was Bloomington Kennedy 18, Eastview 9.

 

There was a media timeout with 10:35. The score remained Bloomington Kennedy 18, Eastview 9.

 

Bloomington Kennedy looked to feed Sa’Eed-El the ball and she was able to knock down mid-range jump shots.

 

There was a media timeout with 3:30 left in the first half. The score was tied at 28.

 

Sa’Eed-El came up some big layups late in the first half.

 

The score at halftime was Kennedy 37, Eastview 32.

 

As the second half got underway Bell came up with some huge layups. The defense was not able to slow her down.

 

There was a media timeout with 14:41 left in regulation. The score was Bloomington Kennedy 45, Eastview 36.

 

Eastview’s Madison Guebert came up with mid-range jump shots in the second half. Her teammates did a good job of getting her the ball in spots where she could shoot it.

 

There was a media timeout with 9:52 left in regulation. The score was Bloomington Kennedy 49, Eastview 43.

 

Bell came up with some steals. She was also able to get layups off the steals.

 

Kennedy didn’t let Eastview get any open shots. The defensive pressure that Kennedy applied made it difficult for Eastview to hit shots.

 

Eastview made a run at Bloomington Kennedy late in regulation. They took the lead with under 20 seconds to go on a Madison Guebert layup.

 

Eastview came away with the 64-61 victory over Bloomington Kennedy to win the Class 4A state title.

 

The leading scorer for Bloomington Kennedy was Bell with 24 points.

 

The leading scorer for Eastview was Guebert with 29 points.

 

After the game I was able to talk to Metoxen, Guebert and Karri Opatz about the game. I was also able to talk to Eastview’s head coach Melissa Guebert about winning the Class 4A state title.

MARSHALL WENT UP AGAINST PARK CENTER IN THE CLASS 3A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

Park Center went up against Marshall in the class 3A state basketball championship game.

 

Marshall looked to push the ball down the court and score baskets in transition.

 

The score went back and forth in the early part of the game.

 

There was a media timeout with 12:39 left in the first half. The score was Marshall 11, Park Center 10.

 

Park Center’s Megahn DuBois came up with shots in the first half. Her teammates did a good job of getting her the ball in the pain where she was able to hit her shots.

 

Neither team went on a run in the first half. There were several ties and lead changes throughout the first half.

 

There was a media timeout with 6:51 left in the first half the score was Park Center 19, Marshall 18.

 

Park Center’s Ann Simonet and Cayla McMorris came up with nice mid-range jump shots to keep their team in the game. Their teammates did a good job of getting them the ball in spots where they could shoot it.

 

The score at halftime was Marshall 29, Park Center 24.

 

As the second half got underway Marshall looked to push the ball down the floor and score baskets in transition.

 

Marshall’s Hannah Bennett came up with deep three-point shots midway through the second half.

 

Her teammates did a good job getting her the ball in spots where she could shoot it.

 

There was a media timeout with 9:52 left in regulation. The score was Marshall 46, Park Center 41.

 

Park Center kept on attacking the basket, but their shots couldn’t fall.

 

There was a media timeout with seven minutes left in regulation. The score was Marshall 48, Park Center 43.

 

Park Center’s Samantha Berg got into a shooting rhythm in the second half. She was able to come up with mid-range jump shots in the second half.

 

Park Center was able to come up with baskets in transition in the last 4:30 of regulation.

 

Marshall called a timeout with 45.3 seconds left in regulation. The score was Marshall 60, Park Center 56.

 

Park Center’s Cayla McMorris came up with some big layups down the stretch. Her teammates did a good job of getting her the ball in spots where she could shoot it all night long. She really shot mid-range jump shots well.

 

Park Center’s Danielle Schaub hit a jump shot from the free throw line at the buzzer to tie the game at 60. The game went into overtime.

 

At the end of regulation the score was tied at 60.

 

Both teams hit two shots during the first overtime period.

 

The score was tied at 64 after the first overtime period.

 

Both teams attacked the basket and looked for fast break baskets in the overtime period.

 

McMorris continued to come up with big plays in both of the overtime periods.

 

The game was tied at 67 after the second overtime period.

 

In the third overtime Park Center came up with some shots and Marshall came up with shots late in the third overtime period.  

 

With under 20 seconds left and a tie game Marshall fouled Schaub and Simonet on back to back plays. They each were able to hit free throws as Park Center came away with the 73-71 triple overtime victory.

 

After the game I was able to talk to Park Center's Head Coach Chris Vander Hyde. I was also able to talk to players Simonet, McMorris and Hayes about winning the championship.

NEW RICHLAND WENT UP AGAINST KENYON-WANAMINGO IN THE CLASS 2A STATE TITLE GAME

New Richland took on Kenyon-Wanamingo in the Class 2A state championship game. The score went back and forth early in the contest.

 

There was a media timeout with 14:16 left in the first half. The score was New Richland 9, Kenyon-Wanamingo 7.

 

New Richland pushed the ball down the floor as they were able to get the ball into the hands of Carlie Wagner.

 

There was a media timeout with 6:46 left in the first half. The score was New Richland 20, Kenyon-Wanamingo 13.

 

New Richland was able to hit baskets in transition. Carlie Wagner came up with some big lay-ups.

 

The defense had a hard time slowing her down.

 

There was a media timeout with 3:59 left in the first half. The score was New Richland 28, Kenyon-Wanamingo 13.

 

The defense that New Richland applied really pestered the Kenyon-Wanamingo players on offense.

 

The score at halftime was New Richland 37, Kenyon Wanamingo 19.

 

New Richland kept the defensive pressure on Kenyon Wanamingo throughout the second half.

 

Kenyon continued to struggle to shoot the ball in the second half. Kenyon’s Megan Quam came up with some jump shots in the second half. Even though they struggled to hit shots Quam hit her shots.

 

There was a media timeout with 9:59 left in regulation. The score was New Richland 56, Kenyon-Wanamingo 37.

 

New Richland continued to get the ball into the hands of Carlie Wagner. She kept on attacking the basket and came up with layups.

 

There was a media timeout with 3:34 left in regulation. The score was New Richland 64, Kenyon-Wanamingo 52.

 

New Richland shut down the Kenyon-Wanamingo offense. Carlie Wagner put on another offensive showing as she was all over the floor on both ends of the floor.

 

New Richland came away with the 71-61 victory over Kenyon-Wanamingo.

 

The leading scorer for Kenyon Wanamingo was Quam with 22 points.

 

The leading scorers for New Richland was Carlie Wagner with 36 points.

 

After the game I was able to catch up with New Richland head coach John Schultz. Schultz also talked to the media after the game as well. Carlie Wagner also spoke to the media about the game.

 

MINNEOTA TOOK ON WIN-E-MAC IN THE CLASS A GIRLS BASKETBALL STATE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

On March 22 it was championship Saturday as Minneota went up against Win-E-Mac in the Class 1A state girls basketball championship game.

 

Minneota started the game in a zone defense. They played zone for most of the tournament. Win-E-Mac switched between man-to-man and zone defenses.

 

Minneota was able to get their offense going early as they got everyone involved in the offense.

 

There was a media timeout with 14:11 left in the first half. The score was Minneota 11, Win-E-Mac 4.

 

Win-E-Mac was able to get fast break baskets. They got the ball into the hands of Alayna Espeseth. Espeseth stepped up and made her mid-range jump shots.

 

There was a media timeout with 10:07 left in the first half. The score was Minneota 15, Win-E-Mac 11.

 

Win-E-Mac was able to score baskets in transition.  

 

There was a media timeout with 5:59 left in the first half. The score was Win-E-Mac 21, Minneota 19.

 

Win-E-Mac’s Madison McKeever came up with some big layups after the media timeout.

 

Minneota called a timeout with 4:51 left in regulation. The score was Win-E-Mac 27, Minneota 19.

 

The defense had a tough time slowing McKeever down late in the first half.

 

There was a media timeout with 3:03 left in the first half. The score was Win-E-Mac 29, Minneota 19.

 

Win-E-Mac continued to push the ball down the floor getting transition layups.

 

At halftime the score was Win-E-Mac 35, Minneota 26.

 

As the second half got underway Win-E-Mac continued to look to get the ball into the hands of

McKeever and Korbyn Ross. Ross came up with mid-range jump shots in the second half. Her teammates got her the ball in spots where she could shoot it.

 

There was media timeout with 14:52 left in regulation. The score was Win-E-Mac 41, Minneota 32.

 

Win-E-Mac was able to make three-point shots in the second half.

 

Minneota called a timeout with 12:21 left in regulation. The score was Win-E-Mac 47, Minneota 32.

 

Minneota kept on looking to score layups in the second half.

 

There was a media timeout with 10:34 left in regulation. The score was Win-E-Mac 47, Minneota 37.

 

Both teams continued to swing the ball around the three-point line as they took time off the clock.

 

There was a media timeout with 6:39 left in regulation. The score was Win-E-Mac 47, Minneota 44.

 

Both teams kept up the defensive pressure late in the contest. Minneota looked to trap out of the zone and force Win-E-Mac to turn it over.  

 

Minneota came up with some big baskets late in the contest. Stienessen and Reiss did a good job of getting to the basket and coming up with shots. They got within two points late in the contest.

 

There was a media timeout with 3:06 left in regulation. The score was Win-E-Mac 52, Minneota 50.

 

Win-E-Mac took a lot of time off the clock as they swung the ball around the three-point line. They were able to attack the zone defense.

 

Minneota called a timeout with 1:18 left in regulation. The score was Win-E-Mac 56, Minneota 50.

 

Win-E-Mac did a good job of running their offense late and they came up with some huge shots in the second half.

 

Win-E-Mac came up with the 61-53 victory over Minneota.

 

With that win Win-E-Mac won the Class 1A state tournament title.

 

The leading scorers for Minneota were Reiss with 18 points and Emily Stienessen with 17 points.

 

Win-E-Mac was lead in scoring by McKeever with 27 points and Ross with 17 points.

 

After the game I was able to talk to Win-E-Mac’s McKeever, Ross and head coach Ian Hanson about the game.