Publisher’s Perspective

By Tim Douglass, Publisher

Congratulations to the Minnewaska Area High School Girls Basketball team for winning their way to the Minnesota High School State Tournament.  The Lakers defeated a tough Fairmont team in the Section finals to earn their way to the state tournament.  The girls team used a 20-7 run at the end of the first half to take a 23-22 lead after falling behind early, 15-3, and then, with the Lakers clinging to a 35-34 lead late in the game, the MAHS girls went on another run of 16-0 to clinch the victory and send the Lakers on to the state tourney.

This is the first Minnewaska girls basketball team to make it to the state tournament in 26 years.

According to Sports Editor John Fragodt, the Minnewaska girls team had already claimed the third WCC title in school history (in 2007-08 and 2008-09), broken the school record for wins in a season (previous record of 24 in 1995-96 and 1996-97) and becomes the fifth Lakers girls basketball team to qualify to state, joining the 1994-95, 1995-96, 1996-97 and 1998-99 teams.

Minnewaska Area finished second in 1997 and 1999, losing to Mike Dreier and the NLS Wildcats in the 1997 finals (55-51) and also losing to Blake in the 1999 title game (53-44).  In addition, the team went 0-2 in 1995 and 1-2 in 1996.

Information for fans

Some information for Laker fans as the girls’ basketball team prepares to compete for an MSHSL State Team Championship.

Tuesday, March 11

8:30 – 8:50 a.m. – Pep Fest Main Gym at MAHS

12:35-12:55: MAES Send-Off

1 p.m.: The team departs MAES for Twin-Cities

There are fan buses scheduled and the school will be providing more information about that online.  What we know now is this:

Lakers play  Wednesday March 12 at Williams Arena/Maturi Pavilion, University of Minnesota at 8 p.m. vs. Sauk Centre.

Minnewaska Area High School is offering separate adult/family and student (grades 7-12) coach buses to next Wednesday evening’s (March 12) quarterfinal game vs. Sauk Centre at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis.

Departure will be at 4:45 p.m. from outside the District Office doors at Minnewaska Area High School. The buses will depart immediately after the game for the return trip home. There will be no stop on the way back. Fan bus sign-up will close at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, March 11. The school is providing links for online signup.  Due to the generous contributions of local area sponsors the price of the bus trip will be $10 per person.  Fans and students will be able to purchase bus tickets online, or in-person in the Minnewaska Area Schools Community Education/Activities Office at Minnewaska Area High School.  Fans will also need to purchase a game ticket online as there will be no ticket sales at the game venue. Adult tickets are $17.50.  Student tickets are $11.50.

For questions please contact Carrie Janu at 320-239-1305 or email cfjanu@isd2149.org

Congratulations to the girls team, the coaches and parents on a wonderful season and good luck at the state tournament.