Duppong's buzzer-beater

It's late and I'm tired, but here's the video of the Casey Duppong buzzer-beater and the ensuing bedlam from Beulah's 52-51 win over Trinity duThursday night's Region 7 championship victory. (Sorry it's shaky and I can't help that referee Jim Glasser decided to step in front of me so he could better see the play). 


And these spaces are here so the Twitter feed on the top right doesn't interfere with your viewing.





 

Posted by: monke on 3.12.2010 at 1:10 AM | Comments (0) | Permalink

Tags: basketball, beulah miners, buzzer beaters, preps, region 7, titans

Something to look forward to

Well the weather outside is ... weather. In these gross weather times, it's difficult to think that we're only about a month or so away from hitting the links. I was messing around with golf course Web sites the other day, looking at fees and whatnot and decided to check on Bully Pulpit. What I found was a newly redesigned Web site for the Medora golf course that was desperately needed and really showcases just how nice the course is.

Click here to check it out. If you've never been to Bully Pulpit, take the course tour. You'll want to book a tee time as soon as you can. I know I do.

Posted by: monke on 3.11.2010 at 1:08 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink

Tags: bully pulpit golf course, golf

4th Pound 'Em Pro fights have a name, date

Pound 'Em Productions promoter Mike Wilkinson posted on his Facebook wall today their next mixed martial arts fight card will be known as MayDay Mayhem and are scheduled for 7 p.m. Saturday, May 1 at the Dickinson Recreation Center. There is no fight card on their Web site yet.

Posted by: monke on 3.10.2010 at 9:30 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink

Tags: mma, pound em pro

A couple of DSU recruiting items

Dickinson State women's basketball recruiting
I talked to DSU women's basketball coach Andre Goldberg today about his job being advertised in the classifieds section of The Dickinson Press. He and DSU athletic director Roger Ternes said because Goldberg was appointed to the position on an interim basis, the job legally had to be advertised and Goldberg has to apply to be hired as a full-time coach.

Anyway, during that conversation, Goldberg told me recruiting efforts are shaping up well. He has received verbal commitments from New England senior guard Jordyn Bender and Harding County (S.D.) senior forward Devan Koch.

Most of you know Bender, who'll likely be an all-state selection again this season after averaging 22 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.4 steals and 3 assists a game for the Tigers.

Koch (pronounced Cook) averaged 16 points, 12 rebounds and 3.5 steals a game for the Ranchers, who finished the season 14-6. She played big roles the previous two season when the team reached the South Dakota Class B state tournament. This year, they played in one of the tougher regions in their state and lost out early.

I also know that the Blue Hawks are pursuing Hazen forward and Region 7 senior athlete of the year Stef Bohrer and Killdeer forward Hailey Schaper. They like Schaper for both basketball and track.

Dickinson State men's basketball recruiting
People who are both Trinity and DSU fans can breathe a sigh of relief. Ty Orton confirmed Tuesday that Titans senior guard Robbie Morey has verbally committed to play for the Blue Hawks. Orton likes Morey at either guard position, but they'd love to groom him into a point guard since he doesn't mind behing unselfish with the basketball. DSU also needs a point guard who can play now and Orton and his staff believe Morey can come into the DAC and play immediately.

The Blue Hawks have also been paying very close attention to Bowman County swingman Brock Boos lately and are planning to bring him in for a tour of the campus and talk to him about playing after the season is over. Boos said the only other schools he's spoken with are Bismarck State and Mayville State. If you've read this blog before, you know that I'm pretty high on Boos. I just like the way he plays and after watching the DAC for the past four seasons, I honestly believe that with the right coaching, he can be shaped into an impact player in the league. 

Also on DSU's radar: Linton's Trent Roemmich, Kidder County's Adam Randall, a couple of the Bismarck Century seniors and a few South Dakota high schoolers. They don't start with the JuCo recruiting until the spring and summer. Remember, they didn't lock down both Matt Lee and Josh Henry until the summer.

Dickinson State football recruiting
The Blue Hawks will likely release a list of recruits sometime within the next week. Among the area players signing are Mott-Regent senior Luke Honeyman, who'll likely play defensive back for DSU, and Dickinson High running back Calen Beaudoin and receiver Lucas Lupo.

Posted by: monke on 3.10.2010 at 4:06 PM | Comments (1) | Permalink

Tags: basketball, blue hawks, college, dsu, recruiting

Midgets are going to miss Jung

Dickinson High is searching for a new girls basketball coach. First off, I want to give my two cents on the Greg Jung era. First of all, I want to prefice everything by saying I've known Greg a long time and I've known his family my entire life.

Unlike some people out there, I thought he did a good job with what he had to work with at Dickinson High. Coaching in the West Region is no easy gig and when he had the talent to win, he did. He may never have won the West or a state title (no easy thing coaching against guys like Greg Amundson or his ex-New England teammate Jim Jeske for many of those years), but he helped the Midgets accomplish a lot and helped prepare many girls for excellent college careers. I like how DHS athletic director Calvin Dean pointed out that Jung coached for 11 years -- also known as a lifetime in today's high school basketball world -- in Jason Adkins' story on Jung in Wednesday's Press story.

In the last couple years, Greg took -- and put up with -- a lot of crap from different sources. It doesn't take long for that to wear thin on a coach, especially if he isn't having a ton of success. Don't get me wrong, I think Dickinson has had the talent to do a little more in recent years but the West is a fickle beast and even if you've got the talent, it doesn't mean you're going to get to the state tournament. This year was a perfect example of that. Belcourt has a great season, gets upset in the first round by a hot team and then falls short of taking a well-deserved team to state.

With Jung and his assistant coach John Abrahamson both out, DHS may be in for a tough time trying to fill this position. You know they'd love to hire a female for the job since they don't currently have a female varsity head coach. There's a rumor of a couple people who I've heard DHS wouldn't mind applying but I won't mention names for the sake not contributing to rumors.

Next year, the Midgets return possible all-state forward Jess Herauf, point guard Brie Lynch and forward Leslie Beaudoin, who showed flashes of brilliance this season. It's a good core to start with, but there's not a lot of time for the new coach to "build" with Herauf and Lynch both being seniors.

I honestly think if the new coach is able to get the best out of the the afformentioned trio, the Midgets are a state tournament contender. Now, it's up to the DHS administration to find a coach who can click with those players and also has what it takes to continue building a program. There is talent coming up at Dickinson High, now it'll be up to a new coach to make things go well.

As for Greg Jung, it's good to see people giving him props on our Web site instead of tearing him down as has happened with so many other coach resignation stories we've published in the past. Also, I found out today that someone has built Jung a Facebook Fan Page if you'd care to join it. Several of his former players already have.

Posted by: monke on 3.10.2010 at 2:31 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink

Tags: basketball, coaching, dickinson high, greg jung, midgets, preps

Somebody bring da Amber Lamps!!

Somebody should have brought the "Amber Lamps" after Duke's 70-52 win over the Tar Heels last week.

Posted by: monke on 3.10.2010 at 10:56 AM | Comments (0) | Permalink

Tags: amber lamps, college basketball, duke, epic beard man, unc

Hank Biesiot has a Facebook fan page

I noticed about a week ago that someone made Dickinson State football coach Hank Biesiot a Facebook Fan Page. When I asked Hank about it, he laughed and said he had no idea, but jokingly blamed it one of his assistant coaches. I was pretty shocked Hank even know what Facebook was. But hey, times are a changin'.

Posted by: monke on 3.10.2010 at 1:39 AM | Comments (0) | Permalink

Tags: blue hawks, college, football, hank biesiot

Trinity's O'Donnell signs with DSU

Dickinson State head volleyball coach Ryan Platt didn’t have to look far for his first recruit for the 2010 season.

On Monday, Platt announced the signing of Dickinson Trinity standout Danielle O’Donnell to a letter of intent.

As a senior, the 5-foot-10 O’Donnell played middle blocker for the Titans and was an all-Region 7 selection last season after totaling 315 kills, 60 blocks, 32 aces and 159 digs.

Platt said O’Donnell, the daughter of DSU wrestling and cross country head coach Thadd O’Donnell, will likely make the switch to setter in college and that it’s possible she will redshirt her freshman season as she adjusts to the new position.

Platt said he plans to announce more signings in the next few days.
 

Posted by: monke on 3.08.2010 at 3:22 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink

Tags: blue hawks, college, danielle odonnell, recruiting, titans, volleyball

For Hanstad, missing state means missing out on a chance to showcase his skills

When the Dickinson High boys basketball team’s season ended in the West Region Tournament on Saturday, so did junior guard Joe Hanstad’s chances to perform in front of more big-time college coaches.

Before the West Region Tournament, Hanstad informed me that he had been told by at least a dozen college coaches that they would be watching him in person if the Midgets reached the Class A state tournament.

Though his numbers fell a little bit this year, Hanstad pushed his points per game average back up to 24.2 by season’s end and averaged around 7 rebounds a game.

His drop in points has not deterred scouts from pursuing him. For example, NDSU assistant David Richman was in Bismarck to watch the team’s consolation loser-out game against Jamestown on Friday.

NDSU is after Hanstad hard and I honestly believe they have a good shot at him, although he admits he’d like to go as big as possible.

South Dakota State as also reportedly joined NDSU and UND in offering Hanstad a scholarship. They were in Dickinson for the Bismarck High game during the regular season and appeared to walk away impressed despite Joe having sort of a down night.

Now, he’ll really need to play good in summer ball to increase his stature on a national scale.
He has been to Gonzaga and Minnesota on unofficial visits and said he’s still scratching his head as to which five schools to officially visit during the summer and fall. That, he says, will ultimately be determined by his summer and who comes courting the hardest.

Fast forward to 4:10 for the Joe Hanstad Highlight of the Year. He made a lot of great and crucial jumpers this year ... but they don't compare to his dunk against St. Mary's.

Posted by: monke on 3.07.2010 at 11:56 PM | Comments (3) | Permalink

Tags: basketball, joe hanstad, midgets, preps, recruiting

Back with Region 7 boys basketball tournament predicitions

Hey, it’s been a while since I’ve blogged, but in that time, a lot of stuff has happened. I’ve been sick, tried to cut back a little bit on a ridiculously heavy work load, scratched the cornea on my right eye and, worst of all, had a death in the family that sent me out of state for five days.
But, now I’m back and am ready to start a new week by giving you guys a little something to read.

Region 7 Boys Basketball Tournament Predictions
Monday's Quarterfinals
Bowman County (No. 1 District 13) vs. Hazen (No. 4 District 14), 3 p.m.
These two have met in the opening round the previous two seasons and split those with Bowman County winning on a last-second Brock Boos 3-pointer last year before going on to win the region.
I don’t think it’s going to be that close this year. Boos leads the Bulldogs well and while Hazen is playing better than it did earlier this season, it’s just not in the cards for them.
I believe Boos to be the best player in the region and one of the most underrated Class B players in the state. He does a little bit of everything for Bowman County and has now for three seasons. Hazen has some good players, but none who can counter Boos.
Bowman County 64, Hazen 48

Dickinson Trinity (No. 2 District 14) vs. Heart River (No. 3 District 13), 4:30 p.m.
Of course, what would a region tournament around here be without a game with a backstory.
This one’s is Trinity head coach Gregg Grinsteinner, a man who may be nearing the end of his incredibly successful run as the Titans’ head coach, against his protégé and former assistant Greg Pruitt, Heart River’s first-year head coach.
The Titans won both of the first two meetings against Heart River this season and I don’t think that’s going to change.
Trinity’s still a little miffed about losing the District 14 championship on a last-second buzzer beater and, you know what, I would be too.
And it’s exactly the kind of fuel the other teams in the region didn’t want Trinity to have as it heads into the region tournament where it was already the favorite.
Trinity 72, Heart River 45

Beach (No. 2 District 13) vs. Killdeer (No. 3 District 14), 6 p.m.
It seems that every Region 7 tournament quarterfinal round has at least one game that turns out to be awesome.
This is the one you don’t want to miss.
Beach and Killdeer are very equal teams. Both are quick and athletic. Both are hard-nosed and well-coached. Both deserve to be region semifinalists. Only one will be.
For Beach, the biggest key will be avoiding the hangover that can be the Class B girls state basketball tournament.
For Killdeer, it’s about using your athleticism and length to push the Buccaneers up and down the court.
I honestly think the hangover’s going to get the best of Beach here.
Killdeer 63, Beach 60

Beulah (No. 1 District 14) vs. Mott-Regent (No. 4 District 13), 7:30 p.m.
Coming into this season, Mott-Regent was my pick to win District 13. Then they lost senior forward Nick Kautzman for the season while he was still in a football uniform.
Then they lost a few games they shouldn’t have. Now senior guard Luke Honeyman is playing with an injured shoulder. The Wildfire have athleticism and height. They have the talent to be that rare fourth-seed to reach the region finals.
But standing in their way is Beulah, probably the hottest team in the region at the moment.
Their last-second win over Trinity was pretty cool and if they can keep playing that well, it wouldn’t be odd to see them meet up again in the region finals.
Still, I’ve got to go with the Wildfire here. After all, I need a true upset pick somewhere.
Mott-Regent 54, Beulah 52

Semifinals
Dickinson Trinity vs. Bowman County
This, in my mind, would be the real region championship game.
Brock Boos and the Bulldogs vs. Robbie Morey and the Titans. The two best all-around players in the region squaring off the final time in high school. That’s how it should be in a region title game.
Both teams are extremely well coached, but after Bowman County knocked off Trinity in last year’s region championship game and the Titans will be out for a little revenge.
Trinity 68, Bowman County 61

Killdeer vs. Mott-Regent
Yep. This is a legitimate possibly semifinal matchup, and it could be a really good one if it happens this way.
Mott-Regent has a little more size than Killdeer, but I think Killdeer’s ability to stretch the floor will get the best of the Wildfire.
Killdeer 63, Mott-Regent 53

Championship
Dickinson Trinity vs. Killdeer
Trinity has defeated Killdeer twice already this season. Trinity wants to get back to the Class B state tournament badly and who better to do so against than the rival Cowboys.
While I’m picking Killdeer to get out of the bottom bracket, whoever goes up against Trinity on Thursday night is going to be in for a heck of a task.
Trinity 72, Killdeer 54
 

And here is the illustrious Denver Unruh District 14 championship game buzzer-beater preceeded by Alex Klug's go-ahead and would-be game-winning shot for Trinity.

 

Posted by: monke on 3.07.2010 at 11:54 PM | Comments (4) | Permalink

Tags: basketball, preps, region 7, titans