Glenwood Lakers 1985 Boys Basketball team State Class A consolation champions

One may contend that the 1985 Region 6A Champion Glenwood Lakers have stood the test of time as the most successful prep boys basketball team in the history of Pope County. The Lakers finished with a school-record 26 victories in a season to remember. Glenwood overcame the disappointment of the season’s only defeat to start the 1985 Class A State Tournament to earn two victories, along with unwavering adulation from the followers of the Blue and Gold along the way.

As John Holsten was concluding his third year as the Lakers head coach with Don “Red” Torgerson at his side, the 1984-85 season started with a non-conference win against Browerville. The neighborly rivalry with Starbuck included a pair of Glenwood triumphs. Glenwood’s 50-47 victory at Starbuck High School in the season’s sixth game proved to be the closest win for the Lakers all season. In February’s return match, the Lakers overcame a slim Starbuck halftime lead to topple the Bucks by 12.

Glenwood’s magic number for winning the 1984-85 West Central Conference title was reduced to zero after the Lakers prevailed against Long Prairie. The Blue and Gold then capped a perfect 19-0 regular season with a victory against Montevideo. Four Lakers were named All-Conference that season; Grant Thompson, Tony Torgerson, Mark Kerfeld and the league’s MVP, Mike Olson.

The Lakers surged through District 22, winning each game by an average margin of 28 points. Glenwood aimed for more success at the Concordia College Fieldhouse in Moorhead. A 28-point win over Breckenridge on March 12th was followed up by a dominant Laker performance against Lake Park three days later on regional television in the Fargo-Moorhead area. 

Glenwood’s defensive pressure and ability to finish at the rim was too much for the Parkers in an emphatic 74-42 victory to send the Lakers on to State. Despite being outsized by two Lake Park starters, the 6’4” Kerfeld was huge, scoring 28 points and hauling in seven rebounds. Torgerson’s nine boards in the guard spot paced the Lakers and helped to fuel the transition game.

Glenwood’s Class A quarterfinal game at State featured accuracy by the opponent early. Greenway of Coleraine shot an amazing 65 percent from the floor in the opening half to overcome Glenwood’s seven-point lead after one quarter. The middle quarters proved detrimental to the Lakers, as a rally from a double-digit second half deficit came up three points short. Greenway held on to claim a 62-59 win.

Coach Holsten was extremely proud of the way his Lakers dealt with adversity following the loss to Greenway. The way the players responded on each and every possession during the final two games at State revealed their high levels of concentration and mental toughness. 

Victories against LeSueur and Cedar Mountain resulted in Glenwood taking home the Class A Consolation title. Holsten remarked that the tremendous support by the community, parents, students, and schools throughout the year was visibly on display at State. 

The Lakers also earned the Class A Sportsmanship trophy, to pair with the Consolation title trophy.

Boys’ basketball cheerleaders included Lesli Bailey, Jodi Blair, Lisa Endres, Kirsten Martinson, Sheri Paulson and advisor/coach Terri Elsey. David Iverson and Jon Mortenson assisted as student managers. 

The Laker team that advanced to State as noted in the tournament program featured Tom Dorn, Mike Thorfinnson, Arnold Gerdes, Mike Olson, Pat Morris, Grant Thompson, Tony Torgerson, Troy Wagner, Paul Amundson, Mike Hegg, Kyle Thompson, Mark Kerfeld, Stacy Gerdes, Craig Tostenson and Karl Terhaar. 

The entire boys basketball coaching staff at GHS during the 1984-85 season was made up of head coach John Holsten and assistant coaches Don “Red” Torgerson, Jerry Wigdahl and Dave Hausmann.

Congratulations to the 1985 Glenwood Lakers Boys’ Basketball Team, 2023 inductee to the Minnewaska Area Schools Athletic Hall of Fame!