On the Bench with Byron Higgin

Wow! Boys are for real

Minneota certainly is in the mix as a top Section 3A team with their 7-0 record and recent win over Westbrook-Walnut Grove (4-3).

This section is stacked with some very solid boys’ basketball teams. The favorite going in was Russell-Tyler-Ruthton and the Knights are off and flying at 7-0. But there is a lot more. Southwest Minnesota Christian of Edgerton has a 7-1 start and Dawson-Boyd has a nice 6-1 record.

In the second tier is a very good Red Rock Central team at 5-2 — and of course, Westbrook-WG. A few other teams could make some noise in the section including Lac qui Parle Valley at 5-4; and Lakeview at 4-4.

It will all depend on who is peaking at the end of the season. Big showdowns for Minneota come on Feb. 1 when the Vikings travel to Tyler to face the Knights and again on Feb. 20 when they host Russell-Tyler-Ruthton.

By that time we will know a lot more about the teams who are ready to take a shot at landing a spot in the Class A State Tournament. Minneota, which plays 0-5 Montevideo Friday at SMSU is off to it best start in years.

This group has speed, shooting ability, rebounding power and an ability to play defense. If they are short on anything it may be depth — but they’ve got some pretty solid players coming off the bench.

They hope it will be enough. Minneota has NEVER been to a state tournament in boys’ basketball. This year and next year may be the team’s best chances of breaking that jinx and getting into The Big Show.

But it’s not going to be easy. There will be plenty of teams who have the same idea. It should make for an extremely fun and exciting season. So far things have come together for the Vikings. The Hennen boys, Thomas, brother Jacob and cousin Isaac form an exciting core of players who can score and rebound.

Nolan Boerboom, who suffered with injuries and illness last year has been a wonderful surprise and he’s adding a lot to the attack around the basket that’s manned by Logan Sussner.

That’s a lot of talent and it’s been brought together by the emergence of Jared Josephson as a fine point guard. He’s taken on the challenge of quarterbacking this team and it’s freed Thomas and Jacob Hennen to take more shots from the perimeter.

After that, the cupboard isn’t bare with Alex Saltzer coming on strong in relief with his speed, rebounding and shooting ability. And Tristan Sorensen, Mitchell Rost and Grady Moorse have been reliable substitutes to give the starters a break.

Maybe you’d better strap yourself in for the duration of the season because it looks like its going to be a wild ride.

ODDS & ENDS:

•The Minneota girls were to play at 10 a.m. Wednesday morning at SMSU in the Holiday Tournament against Springfield (2-6). With a 5-2 record, the Viking girls have had a nice season so far. Thursday they play St. Clair (6-3), so they’ll have some good competition.

Coach Chad Johnston has this team pressing most of the time and when they are shooting well, they are a tough team to stop.

•There seems to be no end to the awards Taylor Reiss has been racking up during her time as a volleyball player at SMSU in Marshall.

The former Minneota High star was named the DII Honda Athlete of the Year nominee for volleyball by The Collegiate Women Sports Awards (CWSA) presented by Honda.

This is another distinguished honor for the very fine volleyball player. After seeing her excel so well in college, it’s not hard to look back and understand how fortunate we were to watch her high school career right before our very eyes.

•The Rumble on the Red at the FargoDome is always a good learning experience for the Minneota wrestlers. It will be interesting to see how far T.J. Esping can go against some fine heavyweights. Brant Buysse could do well also.

Byron Higgin

Contact Us

The Minneota Mascot
Address: 201 N. Jefferson
Minneota, MN 56264

Phone:(507) 872-6492