| League releases instructional hockey checking video |
The Minnesota State High School League staff has completed production of an instructional video intended to demonstrate proper and improper checks and hits in hockey in a continuing effort to educate players, coaches, officials and fans so that potential injurious actions are reduced and ultimately eliminated from the game.
Two weeks ago the League Board of Directors has approved a recommendation to stiffen several penalties in hockey that become effective immediately. The goal is to continue the League's efforts to reduce and remove dangerous contact that has led to severe injuries to players.
The recommendation came from staff, the League's Hockey Advisory Committee (girls' and boys' coaches), and officials association representatives.
The penalties for three infractions of the rules have been significantly increased in an effort to thwart players from making dangerous hits on the ice.
Checking from behind, which formerly called for a two-minute minor penalty plus a 10-minute misconduct penalty, will now become a five-minute major penalty plus a 10-minute misconduct penalty. The existing rule also states that any check from behind that is deemed "flagrant or causes the player to crash headfirst into the boards or goal frame" will continue be a game disqualification. The disqualified player cannot re-enter that game and cannot play in the next scheduled game either.
Boarding, defined as a "check, cross-check, elbow, charge or trip" that sends an opponent "violently into the boards" now becomes an automatic major penalty — five minutes — instead of the option of either a two-minute minor penalty or a five-minute major penalty. The existing rule that also states that any boarding check that "causes the player to crash headfirst into the boards" may qualify for a game disqualification. The disqualified player cannot re-enter that game and cannot play in the next scheduled game either.
Contact to the head also now becomes an automatic major penalty — five minutes — instead of the option of either a two-minute minor penalty or a five-minute major penalty. The rule states, "No player shall make contact with an opposing player's head or neck area in any manner." Officials still have the option of assessing a disqualification penalty if warranted, and in that case the disqualified player cannot re-enter that game and cannot play in the next scheduled game either.
At the Jan. 10 advisory committee meeting the committee members immediately established a priority to address the issue of proper contact in the game. The boys' and girls' coaches on the committee quickly agreed that the best way to address increasing violent hits was to escalate the penalty structure and to get all parties involved to seek to change the culture of the game. The coaches need to accept the stiffer penalties and need to instruct their players the proper and legal ways of making contact with opponents. The officials need to make the calls and when the calls are made, they need to be supported by not only the coaches, but also by the players and the fans.
An education module was immediately made available online that detailed the rules changes. It remains accessible on the League website. All coaches, officials and players were instructed to view the education module and endorse its implementation prior to the next scheduled competition.
Components of the educational video were taped utilizing coaches and players of the Andover High School girls' and boys' hockey teams and has been in production since then.
"Hockey is a contact sport, and when it is played correctly it should be a safe game with minimal risks," said Craig Perry, League associate director who oversees hockey. "This video will allow all participants in the game to see exactly what kind of contact is permitted and what kind of contact is going to draw the new tougher penalties.
"The players have to be kept as safe as possible, and with a little bit of education and clear thinking while they are on the ice, I firmly believe we can change the culture of the game.
"There is absolutely no reason why the State of Hockey cannot become the State of Safe Hockey."
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| State Tournament Bests - Top 5 Girls' Teams |
The celebration of 100 years of state basketball tournaments continues with the announcement of the top teams in the history of the girls' state tourney. As with past and upcoming announcements of the best of 100 years of state basketball tournaments, these lists have been compiled with the assistance of a committee of basketball historians and experts from around Minnesota.
In the coming weeks, similar listings of the top boys' teams, best shots, best games and best finishes in state tournament history will be announced. These announcements and other activities related to 100 years of state tourneys will lead into this year's tournaments; the girls will play at Williams Arena and Target Center March 14-17 and the boys will do the same March 21-24.
TOP FIVE GIRLS' BASKETBALL TEAMS
St. Paul Central (32-0), 2007
The Central girls waltzed to the 2007 Class AAAA title with an undefeated 32-0 record. The Minutemen scored 90 points or more 14 times, but Coach Willie Taylor never allowed them to score 100 points. Still, Central closed out the season rated among the top five girls' teams in the nation, and many observers opined it was the greatest girls' basketball team in Minnesota history.
 | State tournament opponents were Roseville 76-58, Edina 79-41, and Minneapolis South 81-63. The Central-South championship match-up was the first in state tournament play (boys or girls) between Minnesota's largest cities. Central point guard Angel Robinson led all Class AAAA scorers with 60 points, including 28 in the semifinal win over Edina. Later, she was selected as Minnesota's Ms. Basketball. Central and South also met in 2008 and Central repeated with a 49-44 win. |
Rochester Mayo (27-0), 1997
By 1997, Coco and Kelly Miller had already played in three state tournaments, taking fourth place as eighth-graders in 1993, winning a Class AA title in 1995, and finishing third in 1996. Their 73-67 loss to Bloomington Jefferson in the 1993 semifinals, and their 66-58 loss to Osseo in the 1996 semifinals have been heralded as two of the greatest games in girls' tournament history. The twins were already among the most famous and most heavily recruited Minnesota girls ever.
There would be no more losses in 1997, but there was another classic game — a 78-70 semifinal win over Jefferson in the highest scoring game in tournament history at that time. Robbinsdale Armstrong and Woodbury were defeated by an average of 23 points. Coco and Kelly led all tournament scorers with 72 and 71 points, respectively. They shared the Ms. Basketball award that year.
Minneapolis North (29-0), 1998
The Lady Polars won the first of five Class AAA titles in eight years in 1998 and, at 29-0, had the best record of any of those championship teams. Even more remarkably, this was the second of seven championship game appearances in nine years for the North girls under coach Faith Johnson Patterson. North defeated St. Francis 69-23, Mankato East 69-54, and then doubled up on Chaska in the final, 66-33. Tamara Moore scored 26 points in the final and her 67 points led all scorers from all classes for the tournament. Mauri Horton and Felicia Bell also starred. Moore was named Ms. Basketball 1998 and Horton was named Ms. Basketball 1999.
Lakeville North (32-0), 2010
The Panthers featured a classic inside-outside, one-two punch in 5-9 junior guard Rachel Banham and 6-4 senior center Cassie Rochel. Rochel led the way with 17 points and 9 rebounds in a 52-33 Class AAAA quarterfinal win over Northfield. Banham scored 17 in the semifinal, a 76-46 rout of Chaska, and 25 in a 57-47 title game victory over White Bear Lake. Banham and Rochel shared the Star Tribune Metro Player of the Year award, while Rochel was named Ms. Basketball 2010 and Banham was named Ms. Basketball 2011. Like St. Paul Central in 2007, this Lakeville team was widely acclaimed at the time as the best ever.
Rochester Lourdes (30-0), 1991
The Lourdes Eagles won their second straight state title, and third of (now) eight Class AA championships under coach Myron Glass in 1991. This is the only one of Lourdes' eight championship teams to finish undefeated, and on that basis rates as the Eagles' best team.
It didn't hurt that this Lourdes team had two stars in Lori Lawler and Stacy Sievers. Sievers scored 24 points in a 52-31 quarterfinal win over MACCRAY. Lawler scored 22 in a 58-44 semifinal win over St. Peter. And both scored 17 points each in a 53-28 rout of New London-Spicer in the final. Lourdes was the third girls' team to repeat after New York Mills and Little Falls.
OTHER NOTABLE TEAMS
New York Mills (25-1), 1979
This was the third of three straight champions led by the remarkable Janet Karvonen. Only the Edina boys had ever before won three straight state titles.
Albany (26-0), 1980
Albany deprived New York Mills of a fourth straight title. Guard Kelly Skalicky set a scoring record with 45 points that stood until 2008.
Little Falls (26-0), 1984
This was the first of two consecutive champions under coach Jerry Cool. Deb Hilmerson starred in 1984; Sue Lies for the 1985 edition.
Burnsville (25-2), 1992
The second straight and third overall title for the Braves came as a result of the heroics of Tricia Wakely and Chelsea Schwankl.
Bloomington Jefferson (26-1), 1993
This was the second of four state titles for the Jaguars and the first of two consecutive championships which were led by guard Kiersten Miller.
Fosston (29-0), 2001
The second of three Class A championships in 2000, 2001 and 2003, these Greyhounds won three tournament games by an average of 15 points as Kelly Roysland led all Class A scorers with 66 points.
Lakeville (28-0), 2002
Led by All-America center Liz Podominick, Lakeville won its second straight Class AAAA title in 2002 by grinding out three wins by an average score of 48-37.
Marshall (29-0), 2002
The Tigers repeated as Class AAA champion, winning three games by an average of 62-41. Shannon Bolden scored a tournament-high 70 points, half of them in a semifinal win over Prior Lake.
Hopkins (31-1), 2004
The 2004 team has the best win-loss record of any of Hopkins' three champions and won three tournament games by 14, 17 and 18 points. Leslie Knight led Class AAAA in scoring with 65 points in three games.
Minneapolis South (31-2), 2009
South and superstar Tayler Hill had lost in the 2007 and 2008 finals, the latter in a huge upset, but would not be denied in 2009. Hill scored a record-tying 47 points to hold Centennial at bay 68-61.
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| MSHSL 2012 Winter Bulletin |
Minnesota High School coaches, administrators, and officials are used to opening up their mailbox multiple times a year and seeing the MSHSL Bulletin waiting for them. The Bulletin is a seasonal publication highlighting recent happenings and upcoming events in Minnesota High School Activities. We've got boxes of them going out today to our schools and are proud to feature a new way to get this publication in your hands. Below, you'll find a link to view the Bulletin online. Using the arrows, you can browse through the pages and clicking the pages will zoom and allow you to read things that interest you.
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| MSHSL’s Current standard for Nordic Skiing | | Blue <-4 degrees F - (Ambient Temperature) | FIS** — No competition limit. Severe frostbite and hypothermia risk. No metal jewelry. Eye protection for frostbite. Cancel events which are > 1 minute in duration or produce speeds > 10 MPH or if wind is > 10 MPH. | | Black < -20 degrees F - (Ambient Temperature) or < -40 degrees F wind chill | Recommended lower limit for practice and training. Extreme frostbite and hypothermia risk. No exposed skin. Extra layers. Wind shell for entire body. |
| | MSHSL’s Current standard for Alpine Skiing | | > -3 degrees F – (Ambient Temperature) | No competition limit. Check for frostbite on exposed skin. | | -4 degrees F - (Ambient Temperature) to-10 degrees F – (Ambient Temperature) | No competition limit. Severe frostbite and hypothermia risk. No metal jewelry. Eye protection for frostbite. Modify pre race protocol to limit athletes’ cold exposure to <30 minutes in duration total time. | | < -10 degrees F - (Ambient Temperature) or -40 degrees F wind chill | Recommended lower limit for practice and training. Extreme frostbite and hypothermia risk. No exposed skin. Attempt to reschedule event. If competition cannot be rescheduled, a no strip rule will be enforced with all competitors wearing extra layers that include a wind shell for entire body. Modify pre race protocol to limit athletes’ cold exposure to <20 minutes in duration total time. | | < -40 degrees F wind chill | Postpone/cancel competition |
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| One Gym, One Game, A Great Band And Enthusiastic Fans |
Posted by John Millea (jmillea@mshsl.org)- Updated 2/1/2012 1:19:11 PM
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NORWOOD YOUNG AMERICA – Shortly after tipoff at Tuesday night’s boys basketball game between Mayer Lutheran and Norwood Young America, NYA coach Nat Boyer took his gaze off the game for a few seconds and looked across the court. He motioned for the NYA students to stay on their feet. After that, he didn’t have to remind the kids that their vocal chords were a vital component of the Raiders’ game plan.
The atmosphere at Norwood Young America – the district is known as Central Public Schools, also encompassing the communities of Bongards, Cologne and Hamburg – was electric for this Minnesota River Conference game. The winner would grab hold of second place in the league standings behind Watertown-Mayer and also elicit some bragging rights in the rivalry between schools that are less than 10 miles apart.
 The pep band was terrific during pregame warm-ups, playing the Rocky theme song as the Raiders came running on the court. The repertoire of the band, under the direction of Adam Halpaus, also included the theme songs from Hawaii Five-O and Blazing Saddles, which warmed the musical heart of folks old enough to remember when those tunes were new. Fans bought walking tacos at the concession stand and came walking into the gym eating their walking tacos. The NYA players traded low fives with the band’s tuba player as they warmed up and some of the junior varsity basketball players – still in uniform – grabbed their instruments and took their spots with the band. The dance team put on a great halftime show.
The Norwood Young America student section was on point from start to finish, chanting and cheering, always standing. They froze in place while Raiders shot free throws, they stomped and they swayed as the home team got off to a rapid start and recorded a 69-54 victory.
“That’s what we needed to do,” said Boyer, who is in his first year at NYA after previous coaching stints at Tracy-Milroy-Balaton and Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton. “We knew we had to get off to a quick start and get our crowd, our sixth man, involved. I think that’s so important in high school basketball.
“(The students) ask me, ‘Do you want us to get into it?’ That’s what I wanted to bring here when I came, was to get the crowd into it. It’s about letting these boys come out and having that support behind them. It’s their show. This is their show and that’s what I want it to be.”
The sixth man had plenty to cheer for right away. The Raiders (10-6 overall, 5-3 conference) came out pressing and running and firing off three-point shots. A typical sequence went like this: Raiders center Luke Marschall blocks a shot, the ball is fired downcourt, Reid Stacken hits a three, the NYA lead builds and the faithful go nuts.
Five players scored in double figures for NYA, led by Ryan Marschall with 17 and Tom Messner with 15. Anthony Gruenhagen had 25 for Mayer Lutheran (14-4, 5-4).
 NYA’s press pestered Mayer Lutheran throughout the game, which agan was part of the plan.
“That’s the way we play,” Boyer said. “We try to put as much pressure as possible on teams and make them make mistakes. We use a defensive style that’s known nationwide as ‘thug ‘em, mug ‘em.’ We want to be tough with them and make sure they’re as uncomfortable as can be. That’s what we look for. And if we can get it going on the defensive end, that’s going to lead our offense. It’s like they say: offense wins games, defense wins championships.”
In the first meeting between the two teams, Mayer Lutheran won 60-49 in Mayer on Dec. 22. Norwood Young America didn’t have its full roster that night, and playing rapid-fire basketball while down a man is tough. But the Raiders’ complete cast was on hand for the rematch, including the sixth man.
“I can’t say enough about our sixth man,” Boyer said.
That’s OK, coach. They speak for themselves.
--To see a photo gallery from the game, as well as video of the NYA student section and pep band, go the MSHSL Facebook page.
--Knowing my affection for a certain soft drink, Boyer had a cold case of Diet Coke waiting for me at the scorer’s table. Those 24 cans made their way to MSHSL World Headquarters on Wednesday, and you can see some photos from that event on the MSHSL Facebook page, too.
BY THE NUMBERS
*Schools/teams John has visited: 257
*Miles John has driven: 5,827
--Join the MSHSL on Facebook by clicking on the Facebook button on the right side of www.mshsl.org. John Millea is on Twitter at twitter.com/mshsljohn
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More of John's Journal
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