Headed for a Heartbreak

I use the Winger hit "Headed for a Heartbreak" this week not only because that studies show that many couples break up around this time more than another time, but because playoff time is here, and that will mean heartbreak for those teams that do not advance.

This past week I covered a Dakota College at Bottineau women/men doubleheader, a Bottineau girls basketball game, a Bottineau-Rugby hockey game, a Westhope-Newburg boys basketball game, a 19U hockey game and a ski race.

Upcoming this week I have DCB hockey tonight, DCB women on Wednesday night and both prep basketball districts and West Region hockey playoffs on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. I'll be bouncing between those throughout the weekend to see which teams are headed for that heartbreak, and which advance to continue to their goals.

I've been watching a lot of Olympics, and it has been really great. I encourage everyone to tune in whenever they can, because all of the events are fun to watch (especially ones with crashes). Remember to follow me on twitter @typhoonater467.

I have 27 pictures this week, enjoy:

The Sioux cheerleaders entertain the crowd during a timeout last Saturday in a game against Garrison.

Senior Ethan Miller puts in a layup as a defender goes flying.

Hunter Braaten soars in the lane for two points.

Miller uses his length.

Erin Severson skates across the center line. She hit the game-winner in overtime to beat West Fargo last Saturday.

Jacie Ceglowski makes a big save last Saturday against West Fargo.

I can do this with my eyes closed.

Braves sophomore Austyn Lorenz makes a defender look silly as he tracks down a loose puck.

Senior Cody Bedlion is smashed against the boards last Friday against Bismarck Century.

Senior Harrison Aide fires a shot toward the Century net.

Aide beats Century goalie Jack Abfalter for a goal in the first period last Friday.

Lorenz with a hard shot in the second period.

Bottineau senior Courtney Gallagher speeds down the court on a fast break.

Danielle McDonald tries to draw a charge against Our Redeemer's guard Morgan Olson.

Dakota College at Bottineau (DCB) freshman Imani Scott is fouled on her way to the basket.

Scott goes in for two of her 30 points last Monday against Bismarck State College.

Mary Jones hits a jumper.

Jones tries to fake out an opponent.

Scott goes hard to the hoop.

DCB's Justin Musgrave and BSC and former Bottineau High star Justin McCloud fight for a rebound.

Fans, including someone in a full spandex suit, cheer on the Jacks.

Sophomore Julian Vasquez puts up a fade away jump shot against the Mystics.

Vasquez draws a foul in the first half.

Vasquez again drives to the hoop, and draws the harm.

Xavier Cruz tries to get around a defender for two.

Vasquez for two more.

Paige Vad (left) fights with three West Fargo players and their goalie for a loose puck in front of the net.

Let's Shake Some Dust

The song "Let's Shake Some Dust" from the Volbeat album "Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies" is a good idea for some of the Bottineau area teams coming off of tough losses.

This past week I saw the Dakota College at Bottineau (DCB) women, the Bottineau girls, Westhope-Newburg (WN) Girls, Bottineau boys and 19U girls teams all fall. Congrats go out to the DCB men's team and WN boys team who each went undefeated throughout the week.

I am happy to announce that before the NFL season I predicted that the Seattle Seahawks were my pick to win Super XLVIII, and after their dominant performance last Sunday, I was indeed correct. This is not the first time I've correctly predicted the winner before the season, but I've only done it two other times ('08 Steelers and '04 Patriots), but it is still pretty rare, and this time I have documented proof of it.

Anyway, I have another few busy weeks left in the winter sports season before it starts winding down. Hopefully spring comes soon. I can't wait for golf.

I have 35 pictures to share from last week. Follow me on twitter @typhoonater467. Thanks.

Dakota College at Bottineau freshman Xavier Cruz fights for a loose ball with a Lake Region player last Monday, Jan. 27.

Steve the trainer makes a 30-second tape removal happen during a timeout in the overtime win.

Jake Arck dishes a pass after driving into the lane.

Wes Harrison goes up for two near the hoop.

Harrison for the Jam.

Harrison posts up in the first half.

Cruz goes in for two in the first half.

Gilberto Shojgreen wins the opening tip.

Jacks captains Julian Vasquez (left) and Billy Engel prepare for the game by carrying out fallen teammate Dashamone "Spuddy" McCarty's jersey. McCarty was shot in a drive-by last spring after returning home near Chicago.

Vasquez goes high for the dunk in overtime. He set a school record with 53 points.

Patrick Robinson for three.

Savannah Bruce scores two points against Lake Region.

Bruce for two more.

Mary Jones puts up a jumper.

Imani Scott flies in for two points.

Kelsey Bowers tries for two late in the game last Thursday against Velva.

Junior Stephanie Brenden dishes a pass.

Brenden (left) and Danielle McDonald get ready during lineup announcements.

Stars freshman Kobie LaFromboise passes inside.

Alex Bristol defends Michael Thingstad last Thursday night in Bottineau.

Sophomore Parker Engelhard drives down the court on a fast break.

Bottineau's Garret Pollman (left) and Christian St. Claire (right) try and defend last Thursday.

Engelhard fights for a loose ball.

Hunter Braaten drived to the hoop and draws a foul last Friday in a win over Dunseith.

Hawkin Smette floats a shot toward the hoop in the second half.

Ethan Miller goes for two in the first half last Friday.

Junior Molly Lodoen goes up for two against Dunseith last Friday in Westhope.

Paige Stratton fires a jump shot.

Stratton scores two points over Liz Handeland of Dunseith.

Morgan Kersten dishes a pass to a teammate in the second half.

Erin Severson tries to win the draw as Victoria Gullett looks on last Saturday against the Richland Rangers.

Severson watches as she dumps the buck into the corner.

Sonja Gilje skates the puck into the offensive zone.

Jones puts up a jump shot.

Hunter Bennie throws a shot toward the net.