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.

A brand new year

It is a new year 2011 and with that comes some new things in my life. They haven't happened quite yet, but I expect some good things to happen soon.

I did win two of my three fantasy football leagues and finished runner-up in another. I also finished 142-110 in my NFL picks for the year, going 8-8 in the final week. I only had one team's record correct, that was San Diego at 9-7. I picked only four of the 12 playoff teams correctly, next season I'm not picking the games until the week before.

Last week I covered BHS girls basketball on Tuesday night and also a couple of BHS hockey's Bottineau Holiday Classic games. I had a pretty relaxing weekend with my new 40" T.V!

Anyway, here are my pics for the week (quite a lot of them):

Stars freshman Danielle McDonald tries to get a pass out to the perimeter last Tuesday in a 59-49 win in Bottineau.

Stars junior Whitney Page about to jump against North Star's Megan Gowan for the tip last Tuesday.

Page drives to the basket in the first half.

Stars senior Alysha Thompson takes a shot in the first half, while Alyssa Strong looks on.

The hoopsters enterain fans with specatcular play during halftime last Tuesday.

Stars junior, and four-year starter, Heidi Artz, attempts a shot last Tuesday.

Page hits a layup in the second half.

Stars head coach Mike Forsberg talks to his team near the end of the fourth quarter.

Braves senior captain Seth Serhienko passes to a teammate in the second round game of the Bottineau Holiday Classic.

Serhienko skates the puck near mid-ice.

Braves junior Logan Millican attempts to skate past a Voyageurs defender in the first period last Wednesday.

Millican fights along the boards for a loose puck last Wednesday.

Millican skates down the ice on a breakaway against College Luis Riel last Wednesday in Bottineau.

Braves defenseman Cody Longie watches as junior goaltender Cody Brooks nabs a puck out of midair last Wednesday.

Three Voyageurs sit in the penalty box after multiple infractions during a tussle.

Braves senior net minder Michael Kornkven stops a Wildcat shot last Thursday in the Classic's Championship game.

Junior Taylor Neubauer tries to push a puck past the Wildcats goaltender while being accosted by a defender.

A slow shutter speed captures Braves junior Kyle Volk glide down the ice.

Millican clears a puck out of the corner in the Championship game of against Glenboro/Carberry.

Serhienko slides to a stop as he gathers a puck last Thursday.

The End of 2010

Its the final week of the year 2010. It's been quite a thrill ride for me this year. Here are a few highlights from the past year in my life.

I was able to cover the NCAA hockey tournament last spring, which was a big honor. Later in the spring I took the GRE planning on finishing my undergrad and starting my graduate courses in the fall, I had even signed up for all of them but...

Then I got the job here in Bottineau and it has treated me well. I was able to cover my first race and also several super exciting sports matches since I started on Aug. 8.

Anywho, last week I covered Westhope-Newburg boy's basketball on Tuesday night. They beat Max 55-45.

I am right now 7-7 on my NFL picks with the Vikings game tonight withstanding (I picked the Vikes to win...yikes).

I had quite a number of good pics from that one game I attended. Here they are:

Sioux sophomore Kodie Hancock prepares for the opening tip last Tuesday in Newburg.

Sioux senior Brandon Brodehl drives to the hoop in the first half last Tuesday.

Sioux freshman Hunter Braaten makes a lay up after a turnover last Tuesday.

Sophomore Karlie Hancock attempts a put back in the first half.

Braaten shoots a three.

A Sioux cheerleader entertains the crowd with a few back handsprings.

Braaten is foulded as he tries to put in a lay up on a drive in Newburg.

Karlie Hancock shoots a mid-range jumper.

Sioux junior Chucky Kuhlmann crouches next to head coach Bob Beaudrie as he waits to check in.