Start Me Up

This week I chose the Rolling Stones classic "Start Me Up" because that is what the athletes are saying about the spring sports season. Practice has started for most of the sports, but the winter weather just can't quite leave for good. It snowed today after two weeks of temps in the 50s and 60s.

I have only a single picture from the Bottineau baseball preview that I did.

I bombed my NCAA bracket, and lost my NCAA hockey one as well, though my champion is still alive.

Braves freshman Brock Hiltner tosses the ball toward the first basemen last week at a practice in Tommy Turtle Park.

I Want to Dance With Somebody

This week I chose the Whitney Houston (R.I.P) classic "I Want to Dance With Somebody" to not only pay tribute to the late songstress, but also to signify the beginning of the 'big dance' or the NCAA college basketball tournament. That's right. March Madness is here baby.

Anyway I only have a few pictures from the fishing tournament that took place on Lake Metigoshe.

As for march madness is concerned, my bracket has been filled out, and I'm also testing out a couple formula's that I concocted during my spare time (ok, you caught me, I did it at work). Said formula's are going through a trial run this year to test their effectiveness, and are not going to be my official brackets as of yet. Those I did the old fashion way -- by trusting my gut.

A few teasers for this year's brackets: Champion: Kentucky. Final four surprise: Florida State. Elite Eight Cinderella: St. Mary's and biggest bracket buster: Belmont making it to the sweet sixteen.

As for the pics:

John Christianson, one of the organizers of the Jaycee's 'Ice Fishing Extravaganza,' explains the rules before the tournament last Saturday at Lake Metigoshe.

Contestants take off for their vehicles after hearing the rules, and getting the go ahead to begin.

Trucks zoom across the lake to their spots and in search of the tournament's biggest fish.

Cold as Ice

This week I picked the Foreigner classic "Cold as Ice" because the Bottineau 19U were frozen out at the state championship game this past weekend in Fargo.

The Bottineau girl's hockey team lost 5-3 in the championship to the Fargo Freeze.

I wasn't personally able to make it to the tournament, but Bottineau Courant intern Heather Milbrath, who attends NDSU, was able to take some excellent pictures.

I really like them, and I think you will too. She did a great job.

All the following photos from the tournament were taken by Heather:

Sonja Gilje skates the puck behind the Bottineau net at the 19U State Tournament last weekend in Fargo.

Karlee McCloud goes for the steal in last Saturday's double OT win over Crosby in the semifinals.

Senior's Tiffany Schuster (Left) and Morgan Klebe (right) embrace goaltender Jacie Ceglowski after the Avalanche lost 5-3 to Fargo in the title game last Sunday.

Natalie Bahr (left), Baily Neubauer (right), Ashley Blue and another teammate celebrate after a goal last weekend.

Erin Severson delvers a pass.

Blue shoots the puck past a diving Mayport defender and goalie in last Friday's 9-5 win.

Bahr tries to swat at the puck after going down to the ice during last Friday's game.

Blue skates down the ice with the puck.

Blue (left) watches as Bahr skates past two comet defenders.

Later in the rush Bahr gets tangled under Crosby net minder Tieranay Johnson as Blue scoops up the loose puck.

Bahr skates up ice with the puck.