I spent Saturday at Amsoil Arena, nervously eating popcorn as the UMD Bulldogs closed out a second straight overtime win in the first round of the playoffs. They’ll head to North Dakota this weekend. I won’t be traveling in that direction. My feelings about North Dakota are well‑documented. But I’ll be cheering from a local watering hole loud enough to feel like I’m there.
Playoff season is nerve‑wracking. Our local varsity hockey and basketball teams fought hard but are no longer in the running this year. It was fun to watch them progress over the season, and I look forward to seeing their successes next winter. I’ll miss the seniors who showed their skill and leadership, and I love seeing the underclassmen step into new roles each year.
Boys Varsity Basketball
The Cook County Vikings faced top‑seeded Cherry in the Class 1A, Section 7 Quarterfinal on March 7 at the Hibbing Memorial Building. The No. 1 seed Tigers won 96‑58 and advanced to the Section 7 Semi‑final on March 11.
Head Coach Keaton Riley reported online: “The boys started the game with energy and took an early lead. At one point in the second half, cut the lead down to 11. Hats off to an impressive Cherry squad.”
Youth Hockey
The North Shore Storm 12U girls finished the season 30‑10‑2, a year Head Coach Dustin Goutermont called a major step forward.
“This group set high goals and expectations for themselves all season long,” Goutermont said.
The team captured the District 11 Championship, won the Great Lakes Skate Tournament, and placed second at both the Rocky Taconite Tournament and the International Falls Tournament. They also traveled to Thunder Bay for games in Canada, an experience Goutermont described as “fun and memorable.”
Alicia Norman said the Storm entered Regions as the No. 1 seed. Regions ran Feb. 27–March 1 in Virginia; the Storm lost 3‑2 to Thief River Falls on Friday, beat Crookston 2‑1 on Saturday, and fell 2‑1 in double overtime to International Falls Saturday evening, ending their season.
Goutermont called the way the season ended “heartbreaking,” but said the effort, growth, and memories from the winter will last a long time.
We may pause this column while we await spring sports. Thank you to the coaches and fans who sent updates all winter. Send season highlights or shoutouts to sarahwritesnsj@yahoo.com. I’d love to hear what impressed you this year!
