Keep Pushin'

This week I chose the REO Speedwagon hit "Keep Pushin'" because that's exactly what I need to do to get through this busy part of the year.

It certainly was a busy week last week as I covered seven games (and played pep band twice). I attended five basketball games, which included all six teams that I cover throughout the winter season. I covered a girl's game between Bottineau and Westhope-Newburg on Tuesday, a women's/men's Dakota College at Bottineau doubleheader, a Thursday Westhope-Newburg boy's win and a Bottineau Braves game on Saturday. My coverage wasn't limited to the court though as I hit the arena for Bottineau-Rugby hockey on Saturday and the DCB season finale on Sunday.

This week I'll be busy again, and this time on the road. I have a game tonight in Bottineau for girl's basketball, and  at DCB with another doubleheader on Thursday. Should be a packed house for that one as former BHS standout Justin McCloud returns to town as a member of the Bismarck State Mystics. On Friday I'll jaunt down to Rugby to take in a couple District 11 games including Bottineau and Westhope-Newburg. Finally, the week's coverage comes to an end with a trip to Minot on Saturday for the West Region hockey tournament.

Needless to say I have a large volume of photographs to share, and I will next week too:

Senior Logan Pewe gets the ball last Saturday against St. John.

Senior Ty Domben watches after he fires a pass to fellow senior Joey Hackman.

Ethan Kerslake looks up at the hoop late in last Saturday's game.

Another senior, Taylor Parisien, looks to go up for a lay in.

Junior Jake Carroll slings a pass into the post.

Stars junior Danielle McDonald drives toward the hoop while Sioux senior Hadlee Schell tries to stop her.

Sioux coach Jordan Cooper and Stars coach Joe Bender speak with their players during a timeout.

Stars senior Whitney Brandvold attempts to slow down Sioux sophomore Molly Lodoen.

Stars senior McKenzie Jensen drives in on the fast break.

Sioux senior Bailey Tofteland tries to save a ball from heading out of bounds.

Schell puts up a layup.

Jacks freshman Kristoff Walker throws down last Wednesday against TMCC.

Jayden McMillin delivers a fade-away jumper.

Billy Engel drives inside.

Jordyn Sondrol prepares to jump after the opening tip last Wednesday against the Mikinocks.

Josie DeGagne fires a three over TMCC's Quinn Parisien.

Sophomore Jackie Miller puts up a strong jump shot.

DeGagne drives hard into the lane.

Dominique Staten goes to the hoop for two.

Matt Mehlhaff celebrates with Zach McDonald and Seth Serhienko after scoring in the first period last Sunday against Williston State in the Region XIII series.

McDonald stares toward the goal after carrying the puck across the blue line.

Serhienko prepares to shoot.

Freshman Kyle Volk delivers a shot attempt at the Tetons net.

DCB basketball coaches Cory Fehringer (offense) and Dan Fagerlund (goalie) compete in a "slapshot regatta" in between the first and second periods last Sunday at the Jacks/Tetons game. Fagerlund won the best-of-five competition 3-2.

Serhienko fires a shot toward the net in the second period.

Logan Millican backhands a shot at the Tetons net.

Sioux senior Jon Sivertson is stuffed by a Rolla big man.

Bottineau-Rugby Braves junior Harrison Aide is hammered into the boards by two Bismarck Demon players.

Kodie Hancock hesitates to try and fake out the defender.

Braves junior netminder Riley Monson deflects a bouncing puck.

Senior Cody Longie fires a pass up ice from the Braves zone.

Monson staves off a shot attempt.

Aide drives toward the goalie.

Longie powers a shot toward the net in the second period.

Noah Grant fires a shot at the net.

Fans watch on as Aide delivers a shot in the third period.

Aide fires a hard slap shot.

Aide's stick breaks after a hard shot.

Aides watches as his part of his stick and the puck fly toward the net.