Scott Gillespie will play basketball for his father, Bob, at Ripon College, the school announced today.
Gillespie, a fourth team AP all-state pick and two-time East Central Flyway player of the year, started all four seasons at Ripon High School. He had interest from several Division I schools and could have played at the Division II level, but chose to stay home and play for Ripon College.
Gillespie is the all-time leading scorer in Ripon High School history.
We'll have more on this story later in the weekend.
Friday, March 30, 2007
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
FSI Baseball Preview '07
It's been far too long since my last post, so I figured I'd dive head first into the upcoming baseball season with the first-ever Fondy Sports Insider Baseball Preview.
Why should this preview stand out from any other? No reason. But I do have HDTV and am watching a Mets-Braves preseason game and the picture is so good, I can see into Bobby Cox's soul.
ANYWAYS, without further ado, here are the teams, players and storylines to watch as the season unfolds.
WORLD SERIES PREDICTION: I don't mess around when it comes to predictions. I get the big one out of the way first. I should forewarn you that I have worse record of picking champions than Sports Illustrated; my recent Super Bowl prediction was the Dolphins over the Redskins. So when I pick the Red Sox to beat the Dodgers, maybe it's not a good thing for fans of those two teams. But Boston's pitching staff, if it remains healthy, is tops in the game and the Dodgers have boatloads of young talent.
DIVISION WINNERS: AL East (Yankees), AL Central (Twins), AL West (Angels), AL Wild Card (Red Sox); NL East (Phillies), NL Central (Brewers), NL West (Dodgers), NL Wild Card (Padres).
DID YOU JUST PREDICT THE BREWERS TO WIN THE NL CENTRAL: Yes, I did. When you look at it, they should have won the division last year. The Cardinals won the division with 83 wins, and if Sheets and Tomo Ohka remained healthy, the Brewers easily could have reached that number. I'm guessing it'll take 85-87 wins to get it done this year, and if the Crew can avoid the massive injuries that beseiged it in '06, that is a reachable number.
AWARD WINNERS: NL MVP (Ryan Howard); NL Cy Young (Carlos Zambrano); AL MVP (Alex Rodriguez); AL Cy Young (Dice-K).
TEAM THAT EVERYONE WILL GET WAY TO EXCITED ABOUT IN JUNE, ONLY TO WATCH THAT TEAM GO ON AN EXTENDED LOSING STREAK AND FINISH BELOW .500: Kansas City Royals. This team is just set up for a big run early only to flame out majestically as the season goes on partly because they won't add talent in the middle of the season and because they have a bunch of guys that aren't used to playing full-time now faced with the challenge of a long, grueling season. Alex Gordon is a bona fide superstar and while they overpaid for Gil Meche, he should provide stability to the rotation. But they don't have the depth to carry it the full season.
THE REASON THE YANKEES DON'T GO TO THE WORLD SERIES: Pitching. The rotation is a mess, especially with Chein-Ming Wang on the DL to open the season. If they can outbid the Red Sox and Astros to get Roger Clemens, they may have a shot in the playoffs. Otherwise, a hot pitching staff, say the Twins, could take care of the Yankees in a short playoff series.
TEAM THAT WILL DISAPPOINT EVERYONE, INCLUDING THEIR MOTHERS: Rangers. This team has underacheived for years, and now that they want Sammy Sosa to bat cleanup, the failure will continue.
Why should this preview stand out from any other? No reason. But I do have HDTV and am watching a Mets-Braves preseason game and the picture is so good, I can see into Bobby Cox's soul.
ANYWAYS, without further ado, here are the teams, players and storylines to watch as the season unfolds.
WORLD SERIES PREDICTION: I don't mess around when it comes to predictions. I get the big one out of the way first. I should forewarn you that I have worse record of picking champions than Sports Illustrated; my recent Super Bowl prediction was the Dolphins over the Redskins. So when I pick the Red Sox to beat the Dodgers, maybe it's not a good thing for fans of those two teams. But Boston's pitching staff, if it remains healthy, is tops in the game and the Dodgers have boatloads of young talent.
DIVISION WINNERS: AL East (Yankees), AL Central (Twins), AL West (Angels), AL Wild Card (Red Sox); NL East (Phillies), NL Central (Brewers), NL West (Dodgers), NL Wild Card (Padres).
DID YOU JUST PREDICT THE BREWERS TO WIN THE NL CENTRAL: Yes, I did. When you look at it, they should have won the division last year. The Cardinals won the division with 83 wins, and if Sheets and Tomo Ohka remained healthy, the Brewers easily could have reached that number. I'm guessing it'll take 85-87 wins to get it done this year, and if the Crew can avoid the massive injuries that beseiged it in '06, that is a reachable number.
AWARD WINNERS: NL MVP (Ryan Howard); NL Cy Young (Carlos Zambrano); AL MVP (Alex Rodriguez); AL Cy Young (Dice-K).
TEAM THAT EVERYONE WILL GET WAY TO EXCITED ABOUT IN JUNE, ONLY TO WATCH THAT TEAM GO ON AN EXTENDED LOSING STREAK AND FINISH BELOW .500: Kansas City Royals. This team is just set up for a big run early only to flame out majestically as the season goes on partly because they won't add talent in the middle of the season and because they have a bunch of guys that aren't used to playing full-time now faced with the challenge of a long, grueling season. Alex Gordon is a bona fide superstar and while they overpaid for Gil Meche, he should provide stability to the rotation. But they don't have the depth to carry it the full season.
THE REASON THE YANKEES DON'T GO TO THE WORLD SERIES: Pitching. The rotation is a mess, especially with Chein-Ming Wang on the DL to open the season. If they can outbid the Red Sox and Astros to get Roger Clemens, they may have a shot in the playoffs. Otherwise, a hot pitching staff, say the Twins, could take care of the Yankees in a short playoff series.
TEAM THAT WILL DISAPPOINT EVERYONE, INCLUDING THEIR MOTHERS: Rangers. This team has underacheived for years, and now that they want Sammy Sosa to bat cleanup, the failure will continue.
Friday, March 16, 2007
WBCA all-state teams announced
The Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association released its all-state teams today, and the area was well-represented.
The format for the WBCA all-state team changed this year after the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel decided it didn't want to co-sponsor an all-state team with the organization. Now, the team is divided into four divisions.
Ripon's Scott Gillespie, Waupun's Ryan Mayville's Matt Haass both made the first team for Division 2. Gillespie was a unanimous selection, the only one to earn that honor in Division 2.
Laconia's Kieran Weed made the first team in Division 3.
For the full list, click here. I'll be taking part in the Associated Press all-state team. We are selecting our team on Sunday morning, but the results won't be released until Tuesday.
The format for the WBCA all-state team changed this year after the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel decided it didn't want to co-sponsor an all-state team with the organization. Now, the team is divided into four divisions.
Ripon's Scott Gillespie, Waupun's Ryan Mayville's Matt Haass both made the first team for Division 2. Gillespie was a unanimous selection, the only one to earn that honor in Division 2.
Laconia's Kieran Weed made the first team in Division 3.
For the full list, click here. I'll be taking part in the Associated Press all-state team. We are selecting our team on Sunday morning, but the results won't be released until Tuesday.
Greetings from Madison
Your looking live at a blog from the lovely Econo Lodge in Madison, Wisconsin, where in a few minutes I'm about to head down to the state tournament.
Since I don't have a team to cover, I'll check in from time to time with observations and insights into both the state and NCAA tournaments.
So come back often!
Since I don't have a team to cover, I'll check in from time to time with observations and insights into both the state and NCAA tournaments.
So come back often!
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Me and the NCAA tournament
This post may be of no interest to the vast majority of you, so feel free to move ahead to the next blog you check regularly.
I love the NCAA tournament. I realize that many people may say this, but I absolutely love the NCAA tournament. I can't think of any other sporting event that brings me as much joy as the NCAA tournament. It may come from my weird obsession with anything that can be placed in bracket form, I'm not really sure.
I used to have an encyclopedic knowledge of the brackets in the late 90s. I could tell you who the 14 seed was in the East, and what team it lost to in the first round. I could name what player led his team to the title as a 6 seed in 1988. One year, I filmed my own selection show and presented it to my parents moments before the real selection show aired.
But there are many, many more memories.
So sit back, relax and reminisce along with me as I take you through a timetable of my love affair with the greatest sporting event ever.
1986: I'm not even five years old, but my dad fills out a bracket for me in his office pool. He asks what teams I want to win. For some reason, I like the name Purdue and pick it to win the whole thing. Purdue, a 6 seed, loses to 11-seed LSU in the first round. My dad's boss calls me "Purdue" from that day forward.
1988: I fill out my first bracket myself and go with Duke, my champion for 14 of the next 17 years. As the Blue Devils go down to the wire against Kansas in a national semifinal, I learn two important tournament rituals: 1) key moments are best viewed while lying stomach-down on the floor in front of the TV (which will later be known as "assuming the position") and 2) a towel over the head hides a man's tears from the camera.
1990: I correctly pick all four Final Four teams and take third place in my dad's office pool. To date, it is my best showing in any pool. I'm crushed on championship Monday, however, as UNLV blows out Duke by 30.
1991: Duke upsets UNLV, 79-77, in a national semifinal in one of the greatest upsets in tournament history. The pundits will credit Mike Krzyzewski's game plan, but I know the real reason: it's because with three minutes to go, I "assumed the position" on the floor and tapped the "Let's Go Duke!" banner I made on the computer earlier in the day. Duke goes on to beat Kansas in the national championship game, and I go to the barber the following week asking to get my hair cut like Christian Laettner.
1992: I experience the tournament in person for the first time, as I play hooky with my dad to see Todd Day and Arkansas beat Popeye Jones and Murray State and Anfernee Hardaway and Memphis State beat Doug Christie and Pepperdine. The night games included Harold Miner and USC beating up on a poor 15 seed and a Houston-Georgia Tech game that I can't remember at all. The following Saturday, I "assume the position" as Christian Laettner (at this point, we still share the same 'do) makes the greatest shot in the history of the NCAA tournament. To celebrate, I run out the front door of the house and down Main Street in Dousman to the soda machine at the auto body shop, where I purchase a root beer and shake it up in my own locker room celebration. Duke goes on to win another title.
1993: Marquette is in the tournament for the first time I can appreciate it, and even though I convince my grade school teacher to let me listen to the game on the radio, the Warriors fall to Oklahoma State in the first round.
1994: I successfully fake sick to stay home and watch the first day of the tournament (Hi Mom!), even though Marquette plays on Friday. The Warriors have little trouble with Southwestern Louisiana and advance to play Kentucky. I start to watch the game with a friend at a pizza place, but return home (to assume the position) midway through the second half to find both my parents standing they are so excited. My buddy Tony Miller is named player of the game as MU knocks off the mighty Wildcats, 75-63, to advance to the Sweet 16. In the last game Marquette ever played as the Warriors, Tony Miller, Robb Logtermann and Damon Key knocked down 3-pointers in the opening minutes to spot MU a 9-0 lead over my other beloved team, Duke, in a regional semifinal. The Blue Devils are too good on this day, however, and win 59-49.
1999: I see the NCAA tournament for the third time in person, but the first time by myself. No matter. I sit near some Oklahoma fans that teach me the words to "Boomer Sooner" (and since the rowser is only two words, I just taught them to you.) The day after the championship game I'm scheduled for oral surgery. After UConn upsets Duke in the final, I don't need any anesthesia.
2002: I get to cover my first NCAA tournament when Marquette plays in St. Louis. The whole experience is short-lived, however, as No. 12 Tulsa shocks No. 5 Marquette in the first round. My sorrows are short-lived, as I take a front-row seat and witnessed a near-upset of top-seeded Kansas by a spunky Holy Cross crew.
2003: Marquette is back in the tournament, as am I. I sit less than 15 feet from Bruce Pearl, who sweats through his suit coat during UWM's near-upset of Notre Dame. I somehow maintain my professionalism as MU survives a first-round game against Holy Cross (thanks to Travis Diener), outlasts Missouri in overtime (thanks to Steve Novak), edges Pittsburgh (thanks to Dwyane Wade) and demolishes Kentucky (thanks to everyone) and advances to the Final Four. I stand at the 3-point line as the players cut down the nets and think of how many times I saw this on TV from the floor of my boyhood home. I hand out mock issues of our student newspaper to other media members with the headline "Holy Mackerel," which is mentioned in several national columns and held upside down by Lesley Visser as she interviews Tom Crean after the game. At the Final Four, I cross off one of the "things to do before I die" before Roy Williams humiliates MU on national TV. Two nights later, Syracuse beats Kansas in the title game and we all watch "One Shining Moment" on the jumbotron inside the Louisiana Superdome.
2007: I get to experience my first NCAA tournament in HDTV. This may trump them all.
All the memories are still fresh. I still get excited and can't sleep the night before the tournament starts and if I wouldn't be fired, I'd call in sick to work. Still, I'll manage to sneak in a few games at home on my brand new 37-inch LCD TV, where I'll crumble up my bracket by the time the first few games are through and wonder why I picked Texas A&M to win it all. And, if the moment is right, I'll clear a spot on the floor to "assume the position" just like I did all those times as a kid.
It's a wonderful time of year.
I love the NCAA tournament. I realize that many people may say this, but I absolutely love the NCAA tournament. I can't think of any other sporting event that brings me as much joy as the NCAA tournament. It may come from my weird obsession with anything that can be placed in bracket form, I'm not really sure.
I used to have an encyclopedic knowledge of the brackets in the late 90s. I could tell you who the 14 seed was in the East, and what team it lost to in the first round. I could name what player led his team to the title as a 6 seed in 1988. One year, I filmed my own selection show and presented it to my parents moments before the real selection show aired.
But there are many, many more memories.
So sit back, relax and reminisce along with me as I take you through a timetable of my love affair with the greatest sporting event ever.
1986: I'm not even five years old, but my dad fills out a bracket for me in his office pool. He asks what teams I want to win. For some reason, I like the name Purdue and pick it to win the whole thing. Purdue, a 6 seed, loses to 11-seed LSU in the first round. My dad's boss calls me "Purdue" from that day forward.
1988: I fill out my first bracket myself and go with Duke, my champion for 14 of the next 17 years. As the Blue Devils go down to the wire against Kansas in a national semifinal, I learn two important tournament rituals: 1) key moments are best viewed while lying stomach-down on the floor in front of the TV (which will later be known as "assuming the position") and 2) a towel over the head hides a man's tears from the camera.
1990: I correctly pick all four Final Four teams and take third place in my dad's office pool. To date, it is my best showing in any pool. I'm crushed on championship Monday, however, as UNLV blows out Duke by 30.
1991: Duke upsets UNLV, 79-77, in a national semifinal in one of the greatest upsets in tournament history. The pundits will credit Mike Krzyzewski's game plan, but I know the real reason: it's because with three minutes to go, I "assumed the position" on the floor and tapped the "Let's Go Duke!" banner I made on the computer earlier in the day. Duke goes on to beat Kansas in the national championship game, and I go to the barber the following week asking to get my hair cut like Christian Laettner.
1992: I experience the tournament in person for the first time, as I play hooky with my dad to see Todd Day and Arkansas beat Popeye Jones and Murray State and Anfernee Hardaway and Memphis State beat Doug Christie and Pepperdine. The night games included Harold Miner and USC beating up on a poor 15 seed and a Houston-Georgia Tech game that I can't remember at all. The following Saturday, I "assume the position" as Christian Laettner (at this point, we still share the same 'do) makes the greatest shot in the history of the NCAA tournament. To celebrate, I run out the front door of the house and down Main Street in Dousman to the soda machine at the auto body shop, where I purchase a root beer and shake it up in my own locker room celebration. Duke goes on to win another title.
1993: Marquette is in the tournament for the first time I can appreciate it, and even though I convince my grade school teacher to let me listen to the game on the radio, the Warriors fall to Oklahoma State in the first round.
1994: I successfully fake sick to stay home and watch the first day of the tournament (Hi Mom!), even though Marquette plays on Friday. The Warriors have little trouble with Southwestern Louisiana and advance to play Kentucky. I start to watch the game with a friend at a pizza place, but return home (to assume the position) midway through the second half to find both my parents standing they are so excited. My buddy Tony Miller is named player of the game as MU knocks off the mighty Wildcats, 75-63, to advance to the Sweet 16. In the last game Marquette ever played as the Warriors, Tony Miller, Robb Logtermann and Damon Key knocked down 3-pointers in the opening minutes to spot MU a 9-0 lead over my other beloved team, Duke, in a regional semifinal. The Blue Devils are too good on this day, however, and win 59-49.
1999: I see the NCAA tournament for the third time in person, but the first time by myself. No matter. I sit near some Oklahoma fans that teach me the words to "Boomer Sooner" (and since the rowser is only two words, I just taught them to you.) The day after the championship game I'm scheduled for oral surgery. After UConn upsets Duke in the final, I don't need any anesthesia.
2002: I get to cover my first NCAA tournament when Marquette plays in St. Louis. The whole experience is short-lived, however, as No. 12 Tulsa shocks No. 5 Marquette in the first round. My sorrows are short-lived, as I take a front-row seat and witnessed a near-upset of top-seeded Kansas by a spunky Holy Cross crew.
2003: Marquette is back in the tournament, as am I. I sit less than 15 feet from Bruce Pearl, who sweats through his suit coat during UWM's near-upset of Notre Dame. I somehow maintain my professionalism as MU survives a first-round game against Holy Cross (thanks to Travis Diener), outlasts Missouri in overtime (thanks to Steve Novak), edges Pittsburgh (thanks to Dwyane Wade) and demolishes Kentucky (thanks to everyone) and advances to the Final Four. I stand at the 3-point line as the players cut down the nets and think of how many times I saw this on TV from the floor of my boyhood home. I hand out mock issues of our student newspaper to other media members with the headline "Holy Mackerel," which is mentioned in several national columns and held upside down by Lesley Visser as she interviews Tom Crean after the game. At the Final Four, I cross off one of the "things to do before I die" before Roy Williams humiliates MU on national TV. Two nights later, Syracuse beats Kansas in the title game and we all watch "One Shining Moment" on the jumbotron inside the Louisiana Superdome.
2007: I get to experience my first NCAA tournament in HDTV. This may trump them all.
All the memories are still fresh. I still get excited and can't sleep the night before the tournament starts and if I wouldn't be fired, I'd call in sick to work. Still, I'll manage to sneak in a few games at home on my brand new 37-inch LCD TV, where I'll crumble up my bracket by the time the first few games are through and wonder why I picked Texas A&M to win it all. And, if the moment is right, I'll clear a spot on the floor to "assume the position" just like I did all those times as a kid.
It's a wonderful time of year.
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Put up your bracket against mine
This is by far my favorite time of year, and I'll bet its the same for most of you.
Why not enjoy it together? I've set up a NCAA challenge group on Yahoo! for FSI readers. There's no entry fee and really nothing other than pride on the line. The winner (or second-place finisher, if I somehow manage to take first in the pool) gets to write one blog entry on any subject they wish, which will be posted here. I'll have to approve the content, however, but you can write on any subject you want.
C'mon, sign up. You have nothing to lose.
If you are interested, click here.
Group ID: 74432
Password: fdlreporter
Good luck.
Why not enjoy it together? I've set up a NCAA challenge group on Yahoo! for FSI readers. There's no entry fee and really nothing other than pride on the line. The winner (or second-place finisher, if I somehow manage to take first in the pool) gets to write one blog entry on any subject they wish, which will be posted here. I'll have to approve the content, however, but you can write on any subject you want.
C'mon, sign up. You have nothing to lose.
If you are interested, click here.
Group ID: 74432
Password: fdlreporter
Good luck.
Some final Waupun thoughts
Waupun gave it its best shot and came close to ending one of the more impressive streaks in WIAA boys basketball history.
But ultimately, Seymour held off the Warriors for a 58-55 victory in a sectional final on Saturday to advance to its eighth straight state tournament. A brutal third-quarter stretch hurt Waupun in the long run.
Here's a few things I think we learned about Waupun over the last few weeks:
*Ryan Rasmussen is a legit D1 player. He has the size, speed and shooting ability to play at that level. What he did against Berlin was Travis Diener-like. However, expect more teams next year to defend Rasmussen the way which Seymour did, and that's to use a quick, physical guard to stay in his chest the entire game. Against less talented players, Rasmussen will be able to post them up or shoot over them. That's not going to be the case in college. I'd imagine another summer playing AAU ball will give Rasmussen plenty of time to work on this.
*Around the basket, Aris Wurtz is the craftiest player in the area. How he got some of those shots down low to fall is beyond me. He just finds a crease and hits it. It may not look all that pretty at times, but he finds a way to get the job done.
*Waupun will miss its seniors, not just from a leadership sense, but also because they could play. Tom Bresser really elevated his game this season, and Seth Hopp provided sparks at times when the offense was going nowhere. And Dan Tenpas made one of the guttier plays of Thursday's victory over Berlin when he drew a charge despite a sore ankle.
*Aside from Rasmussen, the one player that impressed me the most this weekend was Tyler DeBoer. The kid just seemed to be everywhere all over the floor, and was able to give the team some much-needed rebounding. According to the stat sheet, Seymour only had one offensive rebound which is amazing considering the number of 3-pointers it takes, which normally lead to long rebounds. That means DeBoer was hustling at all times.
*What can we expect next year? I think the bar has definitely been raised at Waupun. A school-record for victories in a single season, the first conference championship since 1975 and a spot in a sectional final will do that. The seniors will be tough to replace, but freshman Austin Armga gave Waupun some good minutes in tournament play and I heard the freshman and JV teams did real well. Coach Lucky Wurtz said that the goal he has is to become the next Seymour. Whether or not that happens remains to be seen. But this wasn't a bad start.
But ultimately, Seymour held off the Warriors for a 58-55 victory in a sectional final on Saturday to advance to its eighth straight state tournament. A brutal third-quarter stretch hurt Waupun in the long run.
Here's a few things I think we learned about Waupun over the last few weeks:
*Ryan Rasmussen is a legit D1 player. He has the size, speed and shooting ability to play at that level. What he did against Berlin was Travis Diener-like. However, expect more teams next year to defend Rasmussen the way which Seymour did, and that's to use a quick, physical guard to stay in his chest the entire game. Against less talented players, Rasmussen will be able to post them up or shoot over them. That's not going to be the case in college. I'd imagine another summer playing AAU ball will give Rasmussen plenty of time to work on this.
*Around the basket, Aris Wurtz is the craftiest player in the area. How he got some of those shots down low to fall is beyond me. He just finds a crease and hits it. It may not look all that pretty at times, but he finds a way to get the job done.
*Waupun will miss its seniors, not just from a leadership sense, but also because they could play. Tom Bresser really elevated his game this season, and Seth Hopp provided sparks at times when the offense was going nowhere. And Dan Tenpas made one of the guttier plays of Thursday's victory over Berlin when he drew a charge despite a sore ankle.
*Aside from Rasmussen, the one player that impressed me the most this weekend was Tyler DeBoer. The kid just seemed to be everywhere all over the floor, and was able to give the team some much-needed rebounding. According to the stat sheet, Seymour only had one offensive rebound which is amazing considering the number of 3-pointers it takes, which normally lead to long rebounds. That means DeBoer was hustling at all times.
*What can we expect next year? I think the bar has definitely been raised at Waupun. A school-record for victories in a single season, the first conference championship since 1975 and a spot in a sectional final will do that. The seniors will be tough to replace, but freshman Austin Armga gave Waupun some good minutes in tournament play and I heard the freshman and JV teams did real well. Coach Lucky Wurtz said that the goal he has is to become the next Seymour. Whether or not that happens remains to be seen. But this wasn't a bad start.
Friday, March 09, 2007
A little Seymour-Waupun history
While this is the first time that Seymour and Waupun will have met in high school in a long time (maybe ever), the two teams do have a little history.
Apparently there is a big 8th grade tournament every year. The current group of seniors at Seymour won the championship game over Waupun during their eighth-grade year, while the current group of juniors at Waupun won the championship game over Seymour their eighth-grade year.
Is this a rubber match?
Apparently there is a big 8th grade tournament every year. The current group of seniors at Seymour won the championship game over Waupun during their eighth-grade year, while the current group of juniors at Waupun won the championship game over Seymour their eighth-grade year.
Is this a rubber match?
Is Aris Wurtz the key to beating Seymour?
Lost in the shuffle of Ryan Rasmussen's terrific performance in Waupun's 69-62 victory over Berlin in a sectional semifinal last night was the game that fellow junior Aris Wurtz had.
Wurtz had 22 points and perhaps the biggest shot made by someone other than Rasmussen. After Berlin took a 47-34 lead late in the third quarter, Wurtz didn't hesitate at the other end of the floor, draining a 3-pointer from the top of the key to get the lead down to 10. He added another bucket before Rasmussen's 3-pointer at the end of the third quarter.
That five-point spurt was huge for Waupun in terms of slowing Berlin's momentum and getting some confidence back. Wurtz was also a source of offense for a team that had trouble finding the basket in spurts. He's deceptively quick. He's not exactly fast, but if you give him the baseline, he'll find some way to get the ball to the basket.
I think that's going to be big when playing Seymour. I haven't seen Seymour play at all this year, and really don't remember what defense it used against Ripon in a sectional final last year. But considering Seymour's height, I wouldn't be surprised if it threw a little 1-3-1 zone against Waupun.
My basketball knowledge is very limited and I don't always try to pretend to be something I'm not, but if I'm an opposing basketball coach I'd try either the 1-3-1 zone or a triangle-and-two. If Seymour goes with the latter, players like Tom Bresser, Seth Hopp and Tyler DeBoer will have to contribute. If its the former, I think Aris Wurtz can have a big night by slashing to the basket and taking the ball strong to the hoop on the baseline.
Again, I say this knowing absolutely nothing about Seymour. They may play a stout man-to-man defense or a 2-3 zone for all I know.
But one thing is for sure. It's going to take more than Ryan Rasmussen to beat the Thunder.
Wurtz had 22 points and perhaps the biggest shot made by someone other than Rasmussen. After Berlin took a 47-34 lead late in the third quarter, Wurtz didn't hesitate at the other end of the floor, draining a 3-pointer from the top of the key to get the lead down to 10. He added another bucket before Rasmussen's 3-pointer at the end of the third quarter.
That five-point spurt was huge for Waupun in terms of slowing Berlin's momentum and getting some confidence back. Wurtz was also a source of offense for a team that had trouble finding the basket in spurts. He's deceptively quick. He's not exactly fast, but if you give him the baseline, he'll find some way to get the ball to the basket.
I think that's going to be big when playing Seymour. I haven't seen Seymour play at all this year, and really don't remember what defense it used against Ripon in a sectional final last year. But considering Seymour's height, I wouldn't be surprised if it threw a little 1-3-1 zone against Waupun.
My basketball knowledge is very limited and I don't always try to pretend to be something I'm not, but if I'm an opposing basketball coach I'd try either the 1-3-1 zone or a triangle-and-two. If Seymour goes with the latter, players like Tom Bresser, Seth Hopp and Tyler DeBoer will have to contribute. If its the former, I think Aris Wurtz can have a big night by slashing to the basket and taking the ball strong to the hoop on the baseline.
Again, I say this knowing absolutely nothing about Seymour. They may play a stout man-to-man defense or a 2-3 zone for all I know.
But one thing is for sure. It's going to take more than Ryan Rasmussen to beat the Thunder.
Where did Rasmussen's performance rank?
I never like being one of those guys that say something and immediately proclaims it to be the greatest performance he's ever seen. That's why this blog remained silent on Waupun's 69-62 win over Berlin last night in a WIAA Division 2 sectional semifinal.
After a night of deep soul-searching, meditating and some MLB2K7, I've come to the conclusion that it's the best performance I've ever seen, and probably the best performance this area has seen in some time.
Sure, the Dieners had some great shooting nights. I heard stories that Travis Diener dropped 40 on Oshkosh West one night and forced Steve Randall to bring the double-team as soon as he crossed half-court.
While 33 points isn't all that eye-popping, it was the way that Rasmussen did it. The fact that 19 of it came in the last 8:01 of the game. The fact he did it with four fouls. The fact it helped Waupun come back from a 13-point deficit.
Regardless of what happens Saturday, Rasmussen probably earned him a scholarship somewhere with that stretch alone.
After a night of deep soul-searching, meditating and some MLB2K7, I've come to the conclusion that it's the best performance I've ever seen, and probably the best performance this area has seen in some time.
Sure, the Dieners had some great shooting nights. I heard stories that Travis Diener dropped 40 on Oshkosh West one night and forced Steve Randall to bring the double-team as soon as he crossed half-court.
While 33 points isn't all that eye-popping, it was the way that Rasmussen did it. The fact that 19 of it came in the last 8:01 of the game. The fact he did it with four fouls. The fact it helped Waupun come back from a 13-point deficit.
Regardless of what happens Saturday, Rasmussen probably earned him a scholarship somewhere with that stretch alone.
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Scouting Berlin
Record: 16-7 overall, 5-5 in East Central Flyway
Notable wins: def. Waupaca, 46-45 and 48-42 (OT).
Key losses: lost to Waupun, 48-41 and 62-54; lost to Laconia, 64-63; lost to Omro, 31-20.
What you should know: While Berlin isn't quite a mystery to Waupun, it is a difficult team to figure out. On the one hand, you could say that six of the team's seven losses came by less than 10 points. But on the other hand, five of its wins were by three points or less, and a sixth came in overtime over Waupaca in a regional final.
Player to watch: Jordan Gerth, a 6-foot-3 senior. Gerth missed the last meeting between the two teams with an ankle injury and while the Indians shot the lights out early, it had no answer when Waupun switched to a zone. Gerth just gives the team another option aside from point guard Scott Falk, forward Alex Mittelstaedt or big man John Mirr.
Bottom line: It will be interesting to see how Waupun uses Monday's game against Chilton. An overtime game like that can go one of two ways... it can either affect your confidence and make you question if you are as good as you really are, or reinforce the fact that games aren't won on talent alone. Usually, familiarity favors the underdog, but in this case, I think it favors Waupun. Despite shooting the lights out early on in the second meeting, Berlin was never really in control after the Warriors made one second-quarter run.
Notable wins: def. Waupaca, 46-45 and 48-42 (OT).
Key losses: lost to Waupun, 48-41 and 62-54; lost to Laconia, 64-63; lost to Omro, 31-20.
What you should know: While Berlin isn't quite a mystery to Waupun, it is a difficult team to figure out. On the one hand, you could say that six of the team's seven losses came by less than 10 points. But on the other hand, five of its wins were by three points or less, and a sixth came in overtime over Waupaca in a regional final.
Player to watch: Jordan Gerth, a 6-foot-3 senior. Gerth missed the last meeting between the two teams with an ankle injury and while the Indians shot the lights out early, it had no answer when Waupun switched to a zone. Gerth just gives the team another option aside from point guard Scott Falk, forward Alex Mittelstaedt or big man John Mirr.
Bottom line: It will be interesting to see how Waupun uses Monday's game against Chilton. An overtime game like that can go one of two ways... it can either affect your confidence and make you question if you are as good as you really are, or reinforce the fact that games aren't won on talent alone. Usually, familiarity favors the underdog, but in this case, I think it favors Waupun. Despite shooting the lights out early on in the second meeting, Berlin was never really in control after the Warriors made one second-quarter run.
Scouting Whitefish Bay Dominican
Record: 20-3 overall, 15-0 in Midwest Classic
Notable wins: def. Burlington Catholic Central, 51-47 and 67-47; def. Lomira, 78-50.
Losses: lost to Waukesha Catholic Memorial, 73-65; lost to Oostburg, 39-38; lost to Manitowoc Roncalli, 57-45.
What you should know: The Green Knights have won 15 straight games after losing to Oostburg and Manitowoc Roncalli in the WBBY Shootout at the Al McGuire Center over Christmas break. While the Midwest Classic Conference is far from the best in the Milwaukee area, Dominican had little trouble with anyone in the league except four a four-point win over Catholic Central and a one-point win over Shoreland Lutheran. This is a school that is used to deep tournament runs, but an upset loss to Milwaukee University school last year in a regional final bounced it from the tournament a bit early.
Player to watch: Kwamain Mitchell, a 6-foot junior guard. He leads the team in scoring (16.3 points per game) and if the Journal Sentinel Web site is accurate, has only missed three free throws this year (out of 70 attempted). Also keep an eye on 6-foot-8 senior Cameron Madlock, the Knights' top post presence. He averages nine points per game.
Bottom line: Without having seen Dominican play, its hard for me to give an accurate assesement of Laconia's chances. However, from looking at the stats, I'd say that the Spartans may be the better-prepared team. They've played a better schedule and beaten better teams. But you also have to wonder how much experience comes into play here. While Dominican was bounced from the tourney a bit early last year, it did win titles in 2004 and 2005. If Laconia is able to surprise Dominican with its quickness early, it will have the advantage. But if Dominican jumps out to an early lead, it may be a tough climb for the Spartans.
Notable wins: def. Burlington Catholic Central, 51-47 and 67-47; def. Lomira, 78-50.
Losses: lost to Waukesha Catholic Memorial, 73-65; lost to Oostburg, 39-38; lost to Manitowoc Roncalli, 57-45.
What you should know: The Green Knights have won 15 straight games after losing to Oostburg and Manitowoc Roncalli in the WBBY Shootout at the Al McGuire Center over Christmas break. While the Midwest Classic Conference is far from the best in the Milwaukee area, Dominican had little trouble with anyone in the league except four a four-point win over Catholic Central and a one-point win over Shoreland Lutheran. This is a school that is used to deep tournament runs, but an upset loss to Milwaukee University school last year in a regional final bounced it from the tournament a bit early.
Player to watch: Kwamain Mitchell, a 6-foot junior guard. He leads the team in scoring (16.3 points per game) and if the Journal Sentinel Web site is accurate, has only missed three free throws this year (out of 70 attempted). Also keep an eye on 6-foot-8 senior Cameron Madlock, the Knights' top post presence. He averages nine points per game.
Bottom line: Without having seen Dominican play, its hard for me to give an accurate assesement of Laconia's chances. However, from looking at the stats, I'd say that the Spartans may be the better-prepared team. They've played a better schedule and beaten better teams. But you also have to wonder how much experience comes into play here. While Dominican was bounced from the tourney a bit early last year, it did win titles in 2004 and 2005. If Laconia is able to surprise Dominican with its quickness early, it will have the advantage. But if Dominican jumps out to an early lead, it may be a tough climb for the Spartans.
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Where is West Bend High School?
Confused Laconia fans may wonder which West Bend high school their game against Whitefish Bay Dominican will be held at on Thursday night.
The answer? Yes.
Confused? Don't be.
West Bend East and West are located in the same building, 1305 E. Decorah Road in West Bend. It's a unique situation where the academics are under one roof but the athletics are split into two teams to give kids more opportunities.
As for Waupun fans, Brown County Arena shouldn't be as confusing. It's the round building across the street from Lambeau Field. If I remember correclty, parking is available across the street for $5 a car.
The answer? Yes.
Confused? Don't be.
West Bend East and West are located in the same building, 1305 E. Decorah Road in West Bend. It's a unique situation where the academics are under one roof but the athletics are split into two teams to give kids more opportunities.
As for Waupun fans, Brown County Arena shouldn't be as confusing. It's the round building across the street from Lambeau Field. If I remember correclty, parking is available across the street for $5 a car.
King, Wurtz remain good friends
It seems fitting that the two teams left standing from our area in the WIAA boys basketball playoffs are Laconia and Waupun.
For those that don't know the history, coach Lucky Wurtz came to Waupun after 12 years at Laconia in which he won 156 games, two conference championships and two state tournament appearances. His former assistant, Tom King, took over the program and after both men took a few years of lumps, they are now in a sectional semifinal.
Here's what Wurtz had to saw about the situation after Monday's victory over Chilton:
"The pressure was more on me. Old Kinger is calling every day, and that's great for Tom. We're the best of friends. I'm so proud of him. I told people at Laconia to just stay with him and he'll do a heck of a job and get it done. I'm happy for him. We'll talk. At least I matched him. It's competitive to see who goes farther.
"A hotel together at state would be nice."
For those that don't know the history, coach Lucky Wurtz came to Waupun after 12 years at Laconia in which he won 156 games, two conference championships and two state tournament appearances. His former assistant, Tom King, took over the program and after both men took a few years of lumps, they are now in a sectional semifinal.
Here's what Wurtz had to saw about the situation after Monday's victory over Chilton:
"The pressure was more on me. Old Kinger is calling every day, and that's great for Tom. We're the best of friends. I'm so proud of him. I told people at Laconia to just stay with him and he'll do a heck of a job and get it done. I'm happy for him. We'll talk. At least I matched him. It's competitive to see who goes farther.
"A hotel together at state would be nice."
Monday, March 05, 2007
No attacks
Thanks to those of you that submit comments, but I wanted to remind you that under no circumstances will I approve comments that attack individuals or coaches.
Keep the comments positive, or at least constructive, and they'll get approved.
Keep the comments positive, or at least constructive, and they'll get approved.
Sunday, March 04, 2007
Hats off to Tom King and Laconia
I'll be completely honest with you. There are times, when planning tournament coverage, that we automatically chalk up a victory or a loss to teams come playoff time. While we are right most of the time, there are some times when we are wrong.
Count Saturday as one of those times.
I really didn't think that Laconia had a chance against Oostburg. I thought the Flying Dutchmen were having one of those years where they were unstoppable. But the Spartans proved me wrong, coming away with a 42-41 victory.
While Laconia is one of the deepest teams in the area and one with a lot of talent, I thought its draw was brutal. Aside from teams like Racine St. Catherine's and Whitefish Bay Dominican, there's Oostburg.
But now its apparent that Laconia is a very real threat to not only make the state tournament, but come home with a gold ball as well.
For photos from Saturday's game, click here.
Count Saturday as one of those times.
I really didn't think that Laconia had a chance against Oostburg. I thought the Flying Dutchmen were having one of those years where they were unstoppable. But the Spartans proved me wrong, coming away with a 42-41 victory.
While Laconia is one of the deepest teams in the area and one with a lot of talent, I thought its draw was brutal. Aside from teams like Racine St. Catherine's and Whitefish Bay Dominican, there's Oostburg.
But now its apparent that Laconia is a very real threat to not only make the state tournament, but come home with a gold ball as well.
For photos from Saturday's game, click here.
Gillespie goes out with class
One of the tough parts about this time of the year are all the careers that unfittingly come to an end with a loss.
Take, for example, Ripon's Scott Gillespie. It's been a treat watching him play for four years and its unfortunate it had to end in a regional semifinal on Saturday afternoon. Gillespie had a rough first half, but he turned in a brilliant four-minute stretch in the third quarter and willed Ripon back into the game. He made five 3-pointers and had a steal that led to another.
Waupun eventually pulled away for the 65-58 victory. Gillespie had a tough time getting the shots to drop in the fourth quarter as did his teammates. Ripon is losing some great seniors on this team, but the guys that will return next year are much richer for having played with Gillespie.
While I wish Gillespie the best and hope he can find a home with a Division I school, there's part of me that wants him to go to Ripon College, just so I can watch him play.
Take, for example, Ripon's Scott Gillespie. It's been a treat watching him play for four years and its unfortunate it had to end in a regional semifinal on Saturday afternoon. Gillespie had a rough first half, but he turned in a brilliant four-minute stretch in the third quarter and willed Ripon back into the game. He made five 3-pointers and had a steal that led to another.
Waupun eventually pulled away for the 65-58 victory. Gillespie had a tough time getting the shots to drop in the fourth quarter as did his teammates. Ripon is losing some great seniors on this team, but the guys that will return next year are much richer for having played with Gillespie.
While I wish Gillespie the best and hope he can find a home with a Division I school, there's part of me that wants him to go to Ripon College, just so I can watch him play.
Fondy hockey among state's elite
The first Saturday in March is usually one of the busiest days of the year for us high school sports reporters. But, as always, it's a lot of fun.
This year was no exception. While it was the first time I've personally dealt with hockey, it was great to see Fondy bring home the state title. What a job Ryan Sarazin has done with that team in the last three years. I think its pretty safe to say that Fondy is now among the state's elite programs. Need any proof? Fondy beat the No. 1 and No. 2-ranked teams in the state before toppling the program with the most state championships in Wisconsin history in the title game. Fondy also became the first team from this part of the state to win a championship. Last year, Milwaukee University School was the first in the southeast part of the state. There's more parity in Wisconsin hockey these days, which can only make for better state tournaments in the future. Fondy won its first one on Saturday, but I'm guessing it won't be the last.
This year was no exception. While it was the first time I've personally dealt with hockey, it was great to see Fondy bring home the state title. What a job Ryan Sarazin has done with that team in the last three years. I think its pretty safe to say that Fondy is now among the state's elite programs. Need any proof? Fondy beat the No. 1 and No. 2-ranked teams in the state before toppling the program with the most state championships in Wisconsin history in the title game. Fondy also became the first team from this part of the state to win a championship. Last year, Milwaukee University School was the first in the southeast part of the state. There's more parity in Wisconsin hockey these days, which can only make for better state tournaments in the future. Fondy won its first one on Saturday, but I'm guessing it won't be the last.
Saturday, March 03, 2007
Insanity continues
Make sure to check www.fdlreporter.com all day for updates from boys and girls basketball, as well as the WIAA state hockey tournament.
This is one of the best days of the year if you are a high school sports fan, and our area slate won't dissapoint.
At a game? Talk about it in the SportsTalk Forum at forums.fdlreporter.com.
Enjoy the day!
This is one of the best days of the year if you are a high school sports fan, and our area slate won't dissapoint.
At a game? Talk about it in the SportsTalk Forum at forums.fdlreporter.com.
Enjoy the day!
Friday, March 02, 2007
Weather go away
As the weather continues to mess everything up, I'm not entirely sure I've exhaled since last week Wednesday.
If you need to catch up on any of last night's boys basketball scores, check here. For the hockey scores, check here.
We aren't close to being done yet. I'll be at the girls basketball game doing the broadcast along with KFIZ's Justin Hull. The game begins at 6 p.m. and should finish just before the Fondy boys hockey team squares off against Eau Claire Memorial in a state semifinal.
Speaking of the boys hockey team, you may have noticed or will notice later we didn't have a photo from Thursday's game. This wasn't by design. I had arranged for another newspaper to provide photos from the game, but either something went wrong on their end or they have a different definition for "Sure, we can help you out," than I do, but we never received any photos. It was a frustrating situation and I apologize to the hockey fans that may be disappointed in our coverage. I'm doing my best to make sure it doesn't happen with tonight's game.
As always, if you have any comment on our coverage, feel free to e-mail me directly at jcasper@fdlreporter.com.
If you need to catch up on any of last night's boys basketball scores, check here. For the hockey scores, check here.
We aren't close to being done yet. I'll be at the girls basketball game doing the broadcast along with KFIZ's Justin Hull. The game begins at 6 p.m. and should finish just before the Fondy boys hockey team squares off against Eau Claire Memorial in a state semifinal.
Speaking of the boys hockey team, you may have noticed or will notice later we didn't have a photo from Thursday's game. This wasn't by design. I had arranged for another newspaper to provide photos from the game, but either something went wrong on their end or they have a different definition for "Sure, we can help you out," than I do, but we never received any photos. It was a frustrating situation and I apologize to the hockey fans that may be disappointed in our coverage. I'm doing my best to make sure it doesn't happen with tonight's game.
As always, if you have any comment on our coverage, feel free to e-mail me directly at jcasper@fdlreporter.com.
Thursday, March 01, 2007
WLA game ppd., others still on
WLA's game at Chilton has been moved to Friday, according to the WIAA site. So far, however, it's the only area game to be postponed.
It appears the Fondy area was spared from the storm, which has hit pretty hard further north.
I'd make fun of the weathermen for being wrong — again — but it appears I was wrong about hockey. Kettle Moraine lost its quarterfinal to Superior. For other scores, check here.
It appears the Fondy area was spared from the storm, which has hit pretty hard further north.
I'd make fun of the weathermen for being wrong — again — but it appears I was wrong about hockey. Kettle Moraine lost its quarterfinal to Superior. For other scores, check here.
Fondy flies to state hockey tourney
The hottest hockey team in the state right now has to be Fond du Lac.
Sure, Stevens Point and Eau Claire Memorial are both undefeated. But Fondy is the only team to not allow a goal throughout the playoffs and is considered by many to be the state tournament favorite this weekend.
Stevens Point is up today, and the Panthers know how to put the puck in the goal. However, I'd imagine that Point doesn't normally face a goalie quite like Randy Willis, who was just phenomenal in a sectional final victory over Appleton.
Eau Claire Memorial has similar offensive prowess, and may be a bit more experiened.
But the team I'd keep an eye on is Kettle Moraine. The Lasers have 15 seniors on the team, have only allowed 26 goals this season and its two losses were by one goal each.
Discuss the state tournament in the SportsTalk Forum.
Sure, Stevens Point and Eau Claire Memorial are both undefeated. But Fondy is the only team to not allow a goal throughout the playoffs and is considered by many to be the state tournament favorite this weekend.
Stevens Point is up today, and the Panthers know how to put the puck in the goal. However, I'd imagine that Point doesn't normally face a goalie quite like Randy Willis, who was just phenomenal in a sectional final victory over Appleton.
Eau Claire Memorial has similar offensive prowess, and may be a bit more experiened.
But the team I'd keep an eye on is Kettle Moraine. The Lasers have 15 seniors on the team, have only allowed 26 goals this season and its two losses were by one goal each.
Discuss the state tournament in the SportsTalk Forum.
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