The intensity level, not to mention the decibel level, will be rising rapidly in local gyms over the next two weeks, as the girls basketball postseason begins.   Which teams will make it to Madison for the 2009 WIAA Championships?   We have plenty of area contenders, but that number will dwindle after every night of action. 

Here are my thoughts as to how it’ll unfold:

Division 1

Eau Claire North needs to win three games to advance to the state tournament.  The Huskies get a home game against either Menomonie or Hudson, and then will face either Chippewa Falls or River Falls in a sectional semi.   Since Chi-Hi is the pre-designated site for that game, it’ll be very interesting to see what impact that may have on a North-Chippewa matchup.  Still, games are decided by players, not venues, and the Huskies have the best player in the area in senior Sam Price–so I see them advancing to the sectional final at Wausau West, versus either Marshfield or D.C. Everest.  Both the Tigers and Evergreens are solid teams, but they each have one loss to North.  However, the Huskies’ win over Marshfield was at a neutral site (Ashwaubenon) in a holiday tournament.  I didn’t witness that game but I was on hand for the season opener, when the Tigers came to North and handed the Huskies a 52-34 loss.   Both teams have evolved in the months since that matchup, but I can’t get the memory out of my head how Marshfield’s 6-3 twin towers Emmalee Boyle and Daneille Carlson dominated play inside, while guards Katie Wolff and Andie Varsho controlled the tempo.   My heart says to pick North, but my head says Marshfield will win the sectional and advance to state.  Other sectional winners: Middleton, Janesville Parker, Neenah, Milwaukee Vincent, DePere, Brookfield Central, and Milwaukee King.

Division 2

There was some very good girls basketball played in the Middle Border Conference this season, and the top two teams, Amery and Durand, were rewarded with #1 seeds in their respective regionals.   3rd-place Osceola was not so fortunate (see Osceola Athletic Director Arvid Maki’s reponse to my earlier post “Stretch Run Straight Ahead”) and got a #5 seed, which means a long trek north to play at 4th-seeded Northwestern.  I’ll say the Chieftains get off the bus and hand the Tigers a loss, but then will lose to MBC rival Amery (featuring Osceola transfer Heather Byl) in a regional semi.   The Warriors will advance to the sectional semi, but their outstanding season will end there–#2 seed Altoona, after eliminating #1 seed Barron in a regional final, will do likewise to Amery.   On the bottom part of the bracket, Durand ‘s biggest challenge will be a trip to to Stevens Point for a sectional semifinal against Wittenberg-Birnamwood.  I think the Panthers can pull out that win, but I have this feeling that the Railroaders are a team on a mission…and I think they’ll win this section for a second straight season.   Other sectional winners: Freedom, Columbus, and Ripon.

Division 3

Others have referred to the local regional (with the likes of Colfax, Osseo-Fairchild, Regis, and Mondovi) as the “Regional of Death.”  Personally, I think the “death” reference is a little over the top–this is girls high school basketball, after all.   “Heartbreak Regional” could work…some excellent teams will be heartrbroken about not getting to state….but this is a blog entry about picking winners, not picking clever sayings.

With that out of the way, let me deal with another topic: seedings.  Theoretically, seeding an entire sectional is a fine idea, but what about the logistics of getting 32 coaches together for a Sunday meeting?  How long would a meeting like that take?  Remember, coaches are also teachers, and at this time of year, as they’re preparing scouting reports and practice schedules on top of lesson plans, do any of those people want to devote even more time to the seeding process?   And, if the coaches weren’t the ones to seed the teams, who would?  The WIAA? If that were to happen, the griping/complaining quotient would be even greater than it is now.  The media?  Please…. Let’s remember this is high school basketball, not the NCAA tournament.   Besides, geography is a big issue in this part of the state.   For the sake of seeding, is it worth it to send Grantsburg on a Tuesday night journey to Osseo-Fairchild?  (I think not…)  Regis coach Brady Hoolihan told me Saturday night, after his team beat Owen-Withee: “To get to state, you’re going to have to beat some good teams along the way–and it really doesn’t matter when you play them.”  

Now, back to the brackets.   Prescott will advance out of the Amery regional, Ladysmith from the Park Falls regional, and Neillsville from the Eau Claire North regional, although the Warriors will find #2 seed Fall Creek a very tough out in a regional final at the Doghouse.   Which two teams will square off in the regional final scheduled for Rice Lake on Saturday, February 28?  I don’t think we’ll see any upsets in the regional quarterfinals, although Elk Mound could challenge Mondovi, while Eleva-Strum competes hard at Regis.  The regional semi’s are another story.  I’ve thought about these matchups for a while, and I see Colfax beating Mondovi by 5-8 points, while Osseo-Fairchild hangs on to edge Regis by 2 or 3.   It’ll be interesting to see whether the regional final is moved to a more central location, but wherever the game is played, it’ll be before a packed house.  Again, I think it’ll be a close game, but the perimeter game of Colfax gives the Vikings the edge, and I’ll pick them to beat O-F by 3 in another barnburner.   In the sectional semi’s, Prescott plays Colfax tough, but the Vikings move on.   So does Neillsville, which takes out Ladysmith in the other semi.  It’s pretty easy to predict that the Altoona gym will be jam-packed for the sectional final, a great matchup between the explosive offensve of Colfax and the lock-down defense of Neillsville.  Still, I get the feeling that Colfax, having made it to state last season, is playing loose and not feeling the overwhelming pressure to “break through,” as have some other Vikings teams of the past…which is why I’m picking Colfax to repeat as sectional champs.  Other sectional winners: Amherst, Cuba City, and Oostburg.

Division 4

Flambeau is the three-time defending state champ, but can the Falcons get back to Madison this season?  Ted Alberson’s team should make it to the regional final at Marathon, but that’s where Flambeau will face Prentice, a team that won on the Falcons’ home floor by 17 points back on January 12.   More recently, Prentice lost by 18 points in a Marawood playoff game to Wisconsin Rapids Assumption, while Flambeau’s won seven straight, including a win at Ladysmith, a #2 seed in Division 3.  I think the Falcons’ very tough non-conference schedule will pay off in the postseason.   Besides, picking against Flambeau in a basketball bracket is like picking against Menomonie in a football bracket…not good policy.  So I’ll say the Falcons knock off Prentice in the regional final, do the same to Siren in a sectional semi, then take out Clayton in the sectional final to advance to Madison once again.  Other sectional winners: St. Mary Central, Barneveld, and Black Hawk.

Your thoughts?  Feel free to post a comment, or two, or three.   These are mere opinions, mind you, the players will decide things on the court…that’ll be the exciting part.

-BOB BRADOVICH

Posted under Sports

After months of indecision, we’re back to where we were on March 6th.   Aaron Rodgers is the starting quarterback for the Green Bay Packers, while Brett Favre is out of the picture.

Of course, back then, "out of the picture" meant retired.  Now it means wearing a different shade of green as the starting QB of the New York Jets.   It’s going to be odd not seeing #4 run out of the home team tunnel at Lambeau Field, but it’ll seem absolutely surreal (especially in HD) when Favre shows up on TV screens all over Wisconsin this fall wearing a helmet that has "Jets" instead of the familiar "G" of the Packers.

These past months have brought more than indecision–there have been leaks, lies, half-truths, missteps, public relations blunders, media circuses, text messages, news releases, news conferences, helicopter video of a Burgundy Escalade, stakeouts of homes, loading docks, and airports….plus, a Rubicon reference.   I don’t think anyone has come out of this situation better than before…with the exception of those high school football players at Oak Grove H.S. in Hattiesburg who got to work out for a while with future Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre, and of course, ESPN and the NFL Network.

While I agree that both Favre and the Packers share in the blame for this situation getting out of control, I’ll put the majority of that blame on Brett.   I keep coming back to one thought: how is it that a 17-year NFL veteran, who has played 16 of those seasons for the same franchise, could be so unaware of how the league operates? 

Forget the relationship analogies (e.g., messy divorce, irreconcialable differences) and look at it in simple terms of workplace politics.   In any organization, including those in professional sports, there’s always room for healthy disagreement, but at some point, the key members of the team need to be in step.   Maybe Favre did feel pressured (to some degree) to retire, because he felt a different "vibe" coming from management after the loss to the Giants.   Still, he could have played the months of January, February, and March a lot different–starting with showing up to the NFC Championship post-game news conference and making an opening statement along the lines of: "Guys, I don’t have a lot to say right now, but this is as disappointed as I’ve ever been in football…we didn’t reach our goal of getting to the Super Bowl, but my goal now is to do everything I can in the offseason to make sure we’re in this position next year.   We have a great team and we’ll be back."  He could have walked away from the podium without taking a single additional question, and while most in the media would have been irritated he didn’t talk longer, his short statement would have said volumes to his teammates and the organization about his commitment to the team.

Even if he hadn’t done that, there had to have been other opportunities over the months of February and March for Favre and/or his agent, Bus Cook, to have confronted the organization about their future plans — privately.   Favre and Cook either forgot that the best negotiations take place out of the public eye, or they realized that their only hope for any sort of resolution other than retirement was to take it public, make it messy, and accept some other outcome other than being the QB of the Packers.   

That outcome is now clear.   Favre will find New York a much different place than what he’s experienced up to this point in the NFL–whether it’s better or worse for him remains to be seen.   Mark Murphy, Ted Thompson, and Mike McCarthy will find Green Bay to be a more hostile environment (at least in the near term) than they’ve experienced in the past.  It remains to be seen if their decision on Aaron Rodgers was a wise one.

At training camp this past Tuesday, I witnessed a whole new level of anger and bitterness from certain Packers fans.  Usually, the railbirds are amusing in their non-stop cheering for simple pass completions in basic drills, but I was really struck by the pointed hostility aimed at Rodgers, McCarthy, and Thompson.   Still, it was apparent that the ones chanting and protesting were in the minority–and once the first thirty minutes of practice had elapsed, the chants had lost almost all of their vigor…as if the protesters realized that their efforts would not change the reality of the situation.

I’m sure we’ll see #4 New York Jets jerseys at Lambeau Field this season, and plenty of folks will still break out their Favre/Packers apparel on Green Bay game days.    I’m wondering whether the anti-Ted Thompson folks will turn out to be like the people who loudly complained about raising Brown County’s sales tax to fund a Lambeau Field renovation referendum a number of years back–lots of noise prior to the election, but lots of votes in support of the project during the election. 

There’s a simple solution to all this divisiveness:  win football games. 

Aaron Rodgers, good luck.   Brett Favre, good-bye and good luck.

-BOB BRADOVICH

Posted under Sports

  With the NFL season done, and the sun melting (albeit slowly) the snow on my lawn, that can only mean that America’s pastime is right around the corner — that right, baseball is right on your doorstep. This past week I got the opportunity to travel down to Arizona to take in a few spring training games. 

  If you have never had the chance, I would recommend leaving the sub-artic weather of Western Wisconsin to fly down to the 80-degree home of your favorite baseball team. The ballparks are gorgeous, the mood is relaxed, but that does not mean that the play on the field is lacking. You might see a few players that you did not know existed, but with these players having to fight to fulfill their major league dreams, these guys work hard. Plus, if you are a sports nut like me, you have to love getting a first glimpse at the players who will make take your team to the next level a year or two down the road.  

 

      Spring training is not only about making the regular season roster, but also earning a role. If you are a fan of the Crew, you know this team is full of talent. That means that this spring holds plenty of competition for not only starting spots, but for backup positions. While players like Prince Fielder, Ryan Braun, and Ben Sheets always are impressive, here are a few players who are fighting for a roster spot who really impressed me this week:

 

  Tony Gwynn Jr., CF

  There is a lot in a name. Gwynn will probably never be able to live up to the career of his father (and really, not many could), but this young guy plays the game with a passion that is sometimes lacking in professional players nowadays. Since being drafted in the second round in 2003, Gwynn has struggled to find playing time in a crowded outfield. Last season Gwynn appeared in 69 games batting .260.

 

   However, don’t be surprised to see him get more time this season. The outfield is still stacked with starting spots going to Corey Hart, newly signed Mike Cameron, and last year’s Rookie of the Year Ryan Braun, but Gwynn is seriously making a case for himself this spring. He’s batting an impressive .353 with three steals, two triples and a homer. His bat might be hot, but it can be argued his glove his better. Against the Royals on Thursday (3/20), he caught a ball over the shoulder that made you think you were watching Willie Mayes.

   

    Character wise, Gwynn is a class act. He signed autographs before and after each game this week, spending a few moments sharing stories with fans. In spring training, it is common for the starters leave and board a bus during the seventh inning stretch. To watch Gwynn take the time to sign autographs speaks volumes about his character. He probably won’t win a starting role, but he’s definitely deserves some more at-bats this season.

 

    Seth McClung, RP

    McClung has been in the league for a few years, including appearing in 14 games with Milwaukee last year. This spring, he’s has a 2.35 ERA in five games. Against the Royals (3/20), McClung pitched three innings. Through the first two, he looked dominant at times. He does a great job of mixing his pitches, including some incredible power (he topped out at 97 mph), and some finesse (his changeup dropped all the way down to 73 mph). The impressive thing is that his arm motion is so similar; batters looked like Elmer Fudd swinging at Bugs Bunny. They would swing, then sit and wait for the ball to finally cross the plate. The Brewers spent some big money this season on relievers (Salomon Torres, Eric Gagne), but McClung has the stuff to be an effective bridge between the starters and the end of the bullpen.

 

   Manny Parra, SP

   Prior to the game I watched, Parra had a 2-0 record with a .64 ERA. He was roughed up a bit against the Royals, giving up 8 runs in just 3.2 innings. Even in the defeat, this kid flashed some major potential. The left-hander is just 25, but already has some major league experience appearing in nine games last season in limited work. However, now with LHP Chris Capuano appearing all but gone, there is a need for a strong lefty in the rotation. Parra showed off four effective pitches, including a 95 MPH four-seam fastball that really has some zip, a two seam fastball that averages around 90, an effective slider that he can throw between 82 and 85, and a changeup that dips down to 74.

 

   It’s obvious he has the makeup to pick up the ball every fifth day, but he has to be careful about tipping off his pitches. His leg kicks much higher when he’s throwing hard. On his slider, his arm motion is noticeably different from his other three pitches. Also, he struggled getting back into the game after giving up four runs in the first inning, and appeared frustrated on the mound. The latter should change as he gains more experience on the mound. I think he can be very effective this year, and the Brewers will need to rely on him.

 

   Others who impressed: Alicides Escobar, SS; Mitch Stetter, RP; Gabe Kapler, OF; and Mike Rivera C.

 

   Spring wasn’t kind to every player; here are a couple people who did not shine:

   

   Gabe Gross, OF

  He played in both games I attended this week. Gross is an experienced veteran who is savvy at the plate and gets a good jump in the outfield. But this spring he’s batting just .238 and hasn’t looked good in the field or at the plate. Against the Angels (3/18), he was fooled badly by pitchers such as Darren Oliver and Jason Bulger. He has showed some pop, hitting four home runs, but he swings for the fences too often. Not helping his cause is the fact that the outfield is loaded this season.

 

   Derrick Turnbow, RP

   It just seems like yesterday that the shaggy haired pitcher was tearing up the mound as the Crew’s  closer. However, Turnbow has really struggled the past four seasons. Maybe it’s because he can’t see the field (Honestly, it’s hot out. A haircut wouldn’t kill you) or he is trying to become comfortable with the setup role, but he’s had a hard time getting people out. He gave up three runs in an inning of relief against the Angels (3/18). He has an ERA of 9.0 this spring. The Brewers need the Turnbow of a few years ago to make a playoff run.

 

   Eric Gagne, Closer

   It’s never good when two of the pitchers with work to do are the setup man and the closer. Unfortunately, Gagne has struggled even more than Turnbow this spring. An 11.25 ERA is excessively high for a man who holds the record for most consecutive saves in MLB history. On top of if, teams are batting .450 against Gagne this spring. Gagne needed a strong showing in Arizona after severely fizzling down the stretch for the Red Sox last season. 

 

   He looks to be forcing some pitches. They would have worked few years ago, but with his velocity now in the high 80s, it isn’t fooling anyone. He’s still has a few pitches that are very effective, but they don’t work if he can’t set them up with the heat. Gagne has been around for awhile, so look for him to figure it out as the season goes on, but I can’t help but be concerned for the Brewers in tight games.

 

   Others who struggled: Jason Kendall, C; Rickie Weeks, 2B; Jeff Suppan, SP; Dave Bush, SP

 

                          The experience in Arizona was fantastic. The ballparks are gorgeous, the people are all very friendly, and it’s amazing to see the turnout for a Wednesday afternoon game. Baseball fans are truly some of the most devoted fans in all of sports.  I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait for the first pitch and the months of baseball ahead.

                                                                                     -STEPHEN KELLEY

Posted under Sports

News 18 Sports is now a member of the blogosphere!   (I vow to never use the word "blogosphere" again, but I just had to do it once)   Our main goal is to use the blog to go beyond the coverage we provide on our nightly sportscasts and the sports section of the website.  You can expect more observations and more opinions about sports in the Chippewa Valley and beyond.

However, another goal is to make this a truly interactive place on the News 18 website.   We don’t want this to be one-sided; we hope that our viewers and readers will comment on our posts.  That’s why we will welcome your opinions and thoughts.

While we’re talking about goals, here’s another: we’ll do our best to post something every day, so keep coming back and checking out what’s new. 

-BOB BRADOVICH

Posted under Sports