Speaking of Sports

By John Fragodt, Sports Reporter

Although there is still about a month left in the regular-season, I can’t help but look ahead to playoff possibilities for the four winter sports’ teams at Minnewaska Area.

•  Dance possibilities — The Minnewaska Area high kick and jazz teams both advanced to state last year and both teams should have a great shot at getting back to state again this winter.

The high kick team has placed second and third at meets this season going into last week’s action at Montevideo, Friday, and at Pelican Rapids, Saturday, while the jazz team place first at Minnewaska Area and was second at Melrose.

•  The Minnewaska Area wrestling team competes in Section 5A and there are 10 strong teams that make up the section.  Minneota (7-0), KMS (7-1), Paynesville Area (7-2), Benson (10-3) and Canby (8-4) are the current top five seeds in the section, while Minnewaska Area (4-4) is among a trio of teams (with ACGC and BBE) that are basically tied for sixth.

The Lakers fell to Minneota earlier this year (49-22) and also lost a close match to Benson (40-36), but the Lakers should have a great shot at moving into the top four or five by the time the postseason arrives, Thursday, Feb. 16.

In the individual tourney, Miles Wildman, Chase Smith and Nick Ankeny are ranked among the top 10 Class A wrestlers in their respective weight classes and should have the best shot at earning an individual state berth.

•  In Section 3AA girls basketball, the Lakers recently moved up to the sixth seed of the eight teams in the north half of the section.  NLS (10-0) is the top seed in the north half, followed by Montevideo (10-1), Litchfield (5-5) and Paynesville Area (6-4).

The Lakers, who barely lost to Paynesville (49-45), have already defeated fifth-ranked West Central Area (6-6) and the Lakers have yet to play Litchfield and seventh-seeded Morris Area-CA (2-8) so Minnewaska Area has a great chance to move up at least a notch or two before the start of the postseason, Saturday, Feb. 25.  Luverne (9-1) and Pipestone Area (8-2) are the top two seeds in the other half of the section.

•  In boys basketball, the Lakers are currently the eighth seed in the north half and will have a tough time moving up more than one spot the rest of the regular-season.

West Central Area (9-2), NLS (5-2), Paynesville (8-4) and Eden Valley Watkins (5-3) are the top four seeds, while Litchfield (4-6), whom the Lakers have yet to play, is seeded sixth.  In the other half of the section, Jackson County Central (7-2) and Pipestone Area (8-3) are the top two seeds.

Minnewaska Area does not play seventh-seeded ACGC (2-7) this year, but the Lakers should have a great shot at moving past the Falcons with at least a couple more wins before the start of the postseason, Saturday, March 4.

Go Lakers!