Stayin' Alive

This week I chose the Bee Gee's masterpiece "Stayin' Alive" because at this point of the year, being a sports reporter/photographer requires a lot of hours and few evenings off, which can seem tough to survive. However, it also means I get to see a lot of great games.

Last week I was pretty busy with basketball double headers on Tuesday and Wednesday (BHS girls/boys on Tuesday and DCB women/men on Wednesday) and hockey games on Friday (BR) and Saturday (19U).

This week proves to be even busier as the Super Bowl was the first of nine games I will be viewing. It starts with the Bottineau County battle between Bottineau and Westhope-Newburg girls tonight. Tomorrow I have another DCB basketball doubleheader. Thursday night I travel to Westhope for the first time in quite awhile to see the Sioux boy's team play. Friday and Saturday I'll take in the Braves hockey teams' games against Bismarck Century and Bismarck High. Saturday I'll also be at the Braves basketball team's game against St. John. Finally, on Sunday I will cover the DCB hockey team's game against Williston State College in the NJCAA playoff series.

Whew. After all that, here are some pictures:

Bottineau 19U's Ashley Blue fires a shot in last Saturday's 4-0 win over Crosby.

Blue tries to keep the puck away from a Crosby defender and tires to score.

Karlee McCloud fires a shot on net last Saturday.

Blue about to deliver a strong shot at the Comet's net.

Erin Severson skates the puck up.

Goaltender Jacie Ceglowksi uses her stick to stuff a Crosby shot attempt.

Juniors Garrett Pollman (left) and Philip Neubauer trap Rugby's Josh Michels in last Tuesday's game.

Bottineau Stars senior Katryna Hahn looks for someone to pass to last Tuesday against Rugby.

Senior Mckenzie Jensen prepares to deliver a pass.

Junior Courtney Gallagher attempts to drive by Aubrey Hovland of the Panthers.

Bottineau-Rugby's Harrison Aide attempts to find the puck after losing it momentarily last Friday against Mandan.

Aide fights to get the puck near the net last Friday.

Bottineau-Rugby senior Wyatt Johnson dumps the puck into the zone in the first period.

Cody Longie unleashes a powerful slap shot in the second period.

Shelden Thompson takes a big whack from Michael Helmers in the first period.

Junior Cody Bedlion prepares to back hand a puck toward the net.

Aide tries to hammer a shot past a Mandan defender.

Dakota College at Bottineau Lumberjacks freshman Kristoff Walker drives hard to the hoop last Wednesday.

Dashamoe McCarty looks to make a pass while staving off a defender against Lake Region State College.

From left: Angie, Mike and Sid run the stats and scoreboards.

Sophomore Jackie Miller puts up a jump shot.

Ladyjacks Sophomore Josie Degagne launches a deep three pointer.

Freshman Leah Parizek delivers a strong pass in the first half against LRSC.

LRSC's Becca Scheer employs blinding defense against Degagne.

Miller is determined to get to the hoop in the second half.

Miller is fouled while attempting a shot.

Degagne drives toward the hoop.

Walker drives hard to the hoop in the second half.