If I thought I was busy last year...

Then I clearly didn't realize what covering nine sports can do to a person. I was crazy busy the past week, running all over to cover Bottineau County sports. And Lumberjack hockey hasn't even restarted yet. Whew! I get tired just thinking about it.

Tuesday I began at the DCB women's basketball game, but had to leave early to cover Bottineau boy's basketball, but I left that early to go back to DCB to watch the last half of the men's game.

Wednesday evening was the Courant's Christmas party. It had excellent food, excellent company and was an all around good time.

Thursday I had bowling, the only time I get to go all month due to occupational obligations.

I traveled to Westhope on Friday to cover a girls/boys doubleheader against Stanley. Lastly, on Saturday I took pictures of the Bottineau 19U girls hockey game and then moseyed over to BHS to take a special picture for the girl's basketball coach for his 700th win. Then I also covered their game.

So, after all that one can imagine I had quite a number of stories to write, which I spent Sunday and early Monday morning doing. I still managed to get off in time to play pep band Monday at the girls basketball game. It was strange, yet fun.

I picked two of the four NFL playoff games correctly (I bet anyone can guess which two).

I have lots of pics this week, here they are:

The BHS cheerleaders perform during halftime last Tuesday against Kenmare.

Braves junior Mark LaCroix passes the ball to a teammate last Tuesday against Kenmare.

Braves senior Taylor Milbrath barks out the offense last Tuesday.

 Which way am I supposed to go again coach?

Jacks sophomore Jordan Ralph attempts a free throw last Tuesday against NDSCS.

Jacks sophomore Cobretti Parisien drives between Wildcat defenders.

Didn't your mother tell you its not polite to point Mr. Hunt?

Karly Brummond tries to remove a defender from Haley Mindt after she gets a rebound last Tuesday.

Ladyjacks sophomore Shannon Smith drives between two Wildcat defenders last Tuesday in Bottineau.

Smith smiles as she takes the ball up the court.

Smith goes in for the easy two.

Ladyjacks sophomore Allison Scherr passes the ball to a teammate in transition.

Kate Helgeson, Ladyjacks sophomore, attempts a shot last Tuesday.

Helgeson shoots over two Wildcat defenders. 

Sioux senior Brandon Brodehl passes the ball in the first quarter last Friday.

Sioux junior Wyatt Kitzman throws a "no-look" pass last Friday against Stanley.

Freshman guard Hunter Braaten drives inside for the Sioux last Friday in Westhope.

Jake Tengesdal, a Sioux junior, attempts a free throw last Friday.

Sioux junior Kristin Arneson watches as a teammate shoots a free throw.

Senior Kendra Thom puts up a shot in the first half last Friday against Stanley.

Sophomore center Hadlee Schell tries to score past a Blue Jay defender.

Schell (left) and Jade Teske (right) fight with a Blue Jay defender for a loose ball in the second quarter.

Thom passes in the second half.

Thom avoids the swarming Blue Jays defense in the second half.

Bottineau's Ashley Blue skates the puck past the blue line last Saturday.

Morgan Klebe skates up the ice against Sidney, Mont. 19U last Saturday in Bottineau.

Captain Heather Milbrath gets tangled with a defender in the first period last Saturday.

Bailey Neubauer awaits the drop from the official in the first period.

Blue races past the Sidney defense.

Stars senior Alyssa Strong looks to pass inside to fellow senior Alysha Thompson last Saturday.

Stars junior Trista Bjerk runs down an errant pass last Saturday against New Town.

Junior Mikayla Hahn tries to tip one in on Saturday in Bottineau.

Thompson fights with an Eagles defender for possession.

Stars junior Whitney Page shows her defensive prowess during a full-court press last Saturday.

Page passes to Hahn in the second half.

Stars junior McKenzie Jensen attempts a three in the second half last Saturday.

Page fights for the ball with an Eagles player late in the fourth quarter.

Thompson attempts a shot while falling away from the basket.