Just wanted to let y'all know that WLC was missing 4 (Hagel, Behm, Krygiel, M. Zondag) of its top 8 fellas for the Coe game.  Would have theoretically made the game a little more interesting.

No doubt, how did Lakeland play Hope within 8 points, at Hope?  That is pretty impressive.

Sixth Man atmosphere was best it has been in a long, long time.  I think it may have been the largest, rowdiest turnout in three years, and I'm expecting more of the same on Saturday.  In fact, if I was two years younger I might have joined in the fray last night.  Maybe I'll have to lend my services to the Sixth Man tomorrow, as I've never experienced a championship game in the REX.  We shall see.

As for the WLC/Marian game--the Warriors came out with a sense of purpose in the first half, intent on dominating both ends of the court. Hitting a few early shots helped.  Refs were interesting--kind of pathetic both ways.  At halftime there had been 16 fouls--half of them offensive.  Granted Titus Redmond just puts his head down and Jerome Bettises his way to the hoop, but charges were aplenty among other players as well.  Then in the second half, no player control fouls were called within like the first 12-15 minutes of game time.

Game on Saturday will be enjoyable.  So-called experts say it is difficult to beat a similar-caliber team three times in one year, and WLC will be gunning for that against Edgewood.  If they lock it up, you could argue that this year was one of Skip's finest coaching jobs.  I was skeptical at first--especially with the whole "shuffle 4 or 5 new players in every five minutes, even if the ones on the floor are on fire" philosophy, but it's proved useful lately.

Warrior_Fish, see you at the game.

Granted the Lakeland ladies might be the LMC's premier female team, but this is still the grind-it-out, let's-have-a-jump-ball-every-15 seconds girls basketball that I have grown up watching.  Plus in the first round I'm guessing they played the 0-fer-16 Maranatha crew.  B-Uns, fan support may be apathetic, but you need a more prominent example than that.

Atmosphere at the 2004 WLC/Lakeland championship tilt was awesome, approximately half of WLC students who know what a basketball is made the trek to the Tank.  I think a few of Zeck's 'roid rage buddies from West Allis made it up as well.

I think the 'Brokeback Billy' chant was quite misguided, especially coming from so-called Christians.  If they view the particular lifestyle referred to as wrong and something to make fun of, they should also be ashamed of their own actions.  That being said, no one is perfect, and I believe they realize the err of their ways.  Personally, I was impressed by the 6th Man on Sunday--quite a turnout, after most of the home games this year were lacking.  It's good to see Busty going out in style.

Seeing as I haven't posted in eternity, I will now return to my normal spot on the bench after throwing up some leaning, off-balance threes from 25 feet.  I'm not Trey for nuthin'.

When coaches or media selects the POY, COY, and ROY from the conference's #1 team, I think they are taking the easy way out.  Anyone can pick the coach and best player from the top team; I hope there was more thought involved from the LMC coaches.

I can't really argue with the selection of Avercamp, and the Cooper vs. KC debate is a good one.  Then there's Larsen; I still maintain that when you are picked to finish second in conference, have an experienced team, and then take first at least in part because one of the league's best players got injured, you're not really doing anything exceptional.  He did a good job--and so did the other coaches, from CUW overcoming the loss of Wietor, to WLC putting up more of a fight than anyone figured them for, to MSOE for being competitive and getting a few major upsets.

I can agree with the Larsen choice from this perspective, as I posted previously:  Nobody else in the league really distinguished themselves as better than their preseason projections.  My guess says that if KC doesn't get called for a cheap foul (negating a fast break bucket) near the end of the Edgewood game a few weeks back, and that propels WLC to a win and a conference tie--well, then we're talking about Noon as the COY.

I forgot--I still maintain Christensen was more valuable to his team than Cooper.  This begs the question, is there a difference between the league's POY and an MVP?

I still wonder if the voters (coaches?) are instructed to take the LMC tournament into account.  As you know, the NBA doesn't count the postseason, and I don't believe D-1 conferences count their tourneys, either.  I think the LMC should have seperate POY awards for the regular season and the tournament to clear up any confusion, and to reward players who make it happen in late February.

I could argue with the all-conference picks, but I'm more interested in the COY.  I don't think Coach Larsen deserves it, frankly; his team was picked to finish second in conference, and while they took first, they did so in part because the preseason fave (CUW) lost its best player, Wietor.

Then again, no team seeded #1 in the LMC tourney has won in a while, so maybe the selection makes more sense.  For the most part, all of the teams in the conference finished about where expected; I guess the voters had nowhere else to turn with their selection except to the coach of the first-place team.

Warrior Fish--where are you at?  It's been almost one week since your last foray into this area?  And I thought you were the chief of all LMC lady basketball gurus.

Pannounce, I wish you were bringing Ms. Bond to the Valentine's Day rumble between the men of Edgewood and WLC.  Sorry to hear that you will not be in attendance.

Oh yes, PA, how are you and our mutual friend Mr. Bizrizzo associated?  Is this an based on your grade school/HS experiences around the Appleton area?

I'm back, and just to help everyone breathe a little easier, I would like to announce that yes, God has cleared me to post.

Now, onto the "Wow, Amazing!" things that are happening in the LMC:

- Of course, Lakeland is out of first place, with that ever-so-tight battle at the top (three teams within one game of Edgewood)
- Maranatha has four conference wins, including the overtime "Tin Shed Thrilla" last night
- The WLC/Natha game ended up 88-85, probably the highest scoring game since, oh, forever
- Emily Laete on the WLC putting up 30 points all over the map

If this post isn't up to par, I've been a tad incoherent since I saw the 88-85 score this morning.  I mean, what is more believable--the Caped Crusaders beating WLC, or both teams putting up those kinds of numbers?  I love it--it has restored my faith, for a moment, in LMC ladies' hoops.

Pannounce, good to see you make a one-time post here/switcheroo from the men's side.  How about your future ex-wife, 007 (I mean Kim Bond) hitting the clutch shots last night?  You should pray that she sticks with you in the future.  Your kid would certainly have a bright future--either in broadcasting or basketball.

Quick recap:

TUES.--Warriors lose to the Fish, in part (I only say in part) due to some horrendous reffing.  If you look at my track record, you know I don't speak of calls or no calls, but instead of players and teams.  HOWEVER this is the exception, as a slew of highly questionable whistles in the last few minutes hurt the Warriors--including a charge on a flop with 0.4 left.  Who calls a charge with 0.4 left, 12 feet away from the basket?  Unreal.  Warrior Fish, you were there, tell it like it is.

SAT.--Although I was not in attendance, the ladies pulled out a big road W at Marian.  K. Christensen had a solid game for the men in second game of the doubleheader (24/10, game winning free throws), but the ladies also had something special.  Specifically, Kami "Perfect" Ten Pas lived up to her billing with a big 23 and an even bigger three with 0.6 left to win the game--her first trey of the year, mind you.  I'm guessing the Warriors learned a lesson from that Wednesday game:  When in doubt, take the outside shot for the win instead of driving to the rack and getting a player-control foul.

That's all for now.  Post on, Warrior Fish, and hello newcomers, Mr. Peter Pannounce!  Two is company, three is a party.