Let me get off the topic(s) at hand here for a second…
I have never been a big fan of college hoops, or basketball really. I mean, c’mon, I grew up in Minnesota, so naturally I played hockey. BUT, two things happened that have changed that.
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First of all, the Golden State Warriors had a fantastic run last year, and an incredible showing in the playoffs. I jumped on that bandwagon last year during the playoffs, and have been hooked on them since! It’s another amazing year, and despite playing in one fierce Western Conference, they look like they’ll make it to the playoffs again this year… WOO HOO.
Secondly, two years ago, another “Warriors” team, the Winona State Warriors, had a GREAT showing. Winona State is the state college in the town I grew up in, and is coached by Mike Leaf, my former health/PE teacher and coach of my sister’s middle school basketball team - what a long way he’s come. They are a D2 school, and two years ago WON the D2 NCAA tournament. Amazing… my little home town college famous (well as famous as D2 gets you). Last year they were ranked number 1 and again made it to the championchip game, only to lose in the final 45 seconds in the most amazing comeback I HAVE EVER SEEN (though it wasn’t the team I would have preferred to win). It’s a pretty amazing story, and has a lesson attached: NEVER GIVE UP. One person is capable of the most amazing accomplishments if they set their mind to it and work hard. You have to see it… here’s a youtube video of the improbable finish - it’s a couple minutes long, but I promise it’s worth viewing all the way to the end….
The Warriors (the Winona sort) are hosting their regional tournament this weekend, and I’m wishing them the best of luck from afar, as they enter the tournament ranked #3 overall.
Warriors and hometown championing,
Jamie, The Diabetic Runner
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WOW! What an ending Jamie, I’m a big sports fan, and I don’t remember seeing that one on Sportscenter. Baron Davis and Monta Ellis better keep it up, the GS Warriors can’t take any nights off or someone like Denver might jump ahead.
Quick Update: WSU won both their games this weekend, and will play Northern State on Tuesday for a spot in the Elite Eight…
Quick Update #2: WSU won their game last night to advance to the Elite Eight where they will face the overall #1 (tied with Bentley) Grand Valley State on March 26th to make a final 4 spot. If they win, they will likely face the other #1 overall team, Bentley to win a spot in the D2 Championship game.
Update #3: WSU knocked off the (tied for) #1 seed Grand Valley State 67-54 today to advance to the Division 2 Men’s Basketball Final Four played March 27 - facing the winner of the Bentley/North Alabama game played tonight.
Update #4: WSU (#3) beat the other #1 overall seed, Bentley last night to advance to the NCAA Division 2 Mens Basketball Championship game this Saturday. They handed Bentley their first loss of the year with a 86-75 WSU win.
They will now face the #10 overall Agusta State (Ga.) for all the beans. The game will be broadcast live on CBS March 29th at 2:30PM Eastern Daylight Time - brownie points if you watch it and post about it here…
FINAL UPDATE:
Winona State Warriors Mens Basketball, 2008 NCAA Division II Champions!
DAMN! DAMN!! DAMN!!!
My local Warriors just bit the dust, ending their chances of a playoff run…
Well 1 of 2 isn’t too bad, and the GS Warriors sure were fun to watch this year… now is there any reason I shouldn’t cancel my cable? There’s nothing left to watch!