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.

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.