On the Bench with Byron Higgin
Sometimes, when adversity hits, people step up. This has happened in light of the incident in which three Minneota players were suspended.
Without the three, who normally would have commanded anywhere at or above 50 points and 30 rebounds, the team still only lost by two points.
Nolan Boerboom stepped up big time with 24 points and five rebounds, then came back the next game with 20 points. Alex Saltzer scored 20 and 17 points. Both did a great job of “stepping up” in light of tough circumstances.
There is always a light at the end of the tunnel and often something good happens from bad. As for the lessons learned from this tough time — well, I feel certain it will make better men out the players. We all make mistakes — some we pay for a long time. Others, we learn from — and even become honorable people.
It’s my opinion that will happen in this case. We feel it’s a step in the right direction when a young man steps up, admits his mistake and apologizes to everyone involved. It take a big man to do that.
We’ve ween our professional players hide behind a wall of lies when accused of using things like steroids. Some never do face the truth.
Those who did, became better men. All of Minneota is sorry this ever happened. But in the long run, it can make all of us better for it. The proof lies in the future, not in the past.
Effect of girls’ loss Minneota girls lost to Brandon Valley of South Dakota last week — the only loss of the season. But most are not looking at this as a loss — but a learning experience. In many cases a well-placed loss can do more than an easy win. It makes you sorta feel as though you are NOT invincible.
That’s likely to be the case as the girls have already began rebuilding the rest of what is already one of the best seasons in Minneota girls’ basketball history.
ODDS & ENDS:
•The Camden Conference Championship games are coming up and it’s likely Minneota will be playing in both the girls and the boys conference title contests. Both games are at the site of the North champion. It’s likely Minneota will have a re-match with Lac qui Parle Valley at Madison in the girls championship game. Meanwhile, the Minneota boys seem likely to be at Renville County West or Lac qui Parle Valley in Madison for the title game. Right now Renville County West is the likely opponent. The Jaguars gave the Vikings a pretty good game the first time they played so that match-up could be a good one for the Minneota boys’ squad.
•The heat is on as teams begin this week to squeeze games into an already crowded schedule after all the postponements due to inclement weather. Boys: They will play Thursday at Lakeview; Friday at home against Russell-Tyler-Ruthton; Tuesday, February 19 at Canby; Friday, February 22 at home against Tracy-Milroy-Balaton and Feb. 25 in the Camden Conference game. Girls: Friday, Feb. 15 at Canby; Saturday, Feb. 16 at Southwest Minnesota Christian; Monday in the Camden Conference championship and Tuesday at Lakeview.