Updates! Schedule Change

If some of you checked out the paper, and were confused about our schedule saying that we play Robbinsdale Cooper instead of Centennial on the 29th, that makes two of us. Apparently, Bethel changed the brackets recently and we didn't know it. We still play at 6:30pm.

Also, the site has been updated to include some of the all-time records beyond career scoring. The overall school history, individual statistics and team stats dating back to 2000. Check 'em out!

Happy Holidays!

On behalf of our coaching staff, I just wanted to thank all the families of our players for giving us (the coaches) the opportunity to work with your sons.

Basketball is known get for "March Madness" but the reality is that the excitement of March is the end-product of four months of work. Not only do the players and coaches make huge sacrifices of their time, but families do to. We start Thanksgiving week and continue through much of the Christmas/Holiday season. In March, I think it is often forgotten how difficult the beginning of the year can be on players, coaches and families. I guess as we break for a couple days, I wanted to acknowledge that and also thank you for your time, support and trust in us to work with your sons.

The basketball season by nature is long. It can be a roller coaster ride at times with many highs and lows. Obviously, our season hasn't started out on a high in terms of W's, (or health!), but I know I speak for our entire coaching staff when I say we are truly grateful for the opportunity to coach this group of young men.

While we haven't been as successful in games (yet) as we had hoped, this group has been incredibly coachable, great teammates and have continued to work hard every day. Despite of our loss Tuesday night at Eagan, the last two days were the most spirited and competitive practices of the season. It is a testament of their resiliency and desire to get better. I don't know where we'll end up in March, but I am confident that the journey will be worth it.

Parents/Families, thank you. Thank you for all of your love, support and guidance that has gone into raising these young men...

..and thank you all for taking the time to read my ramblings!

I wish you all a Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays and I hope you all have a wonderful time with your families!

mk

Winter Break Tidbits

Please remember that for Varsity practices on December 23 & 30 (9am) you'll need to enter the doors in the hallway by the weight room. The alarms will be set but we can get access (coaches have the key) at those doors. Please do not go out any other doors!

Also, players, please do not park near the concession/storage house or the gated fence by the football field. We were notified by the Ramsey County Sheriff to keep those areas clear.

White Out at Eagan Tonight!

Join the entire Mustang program (9-12) as they take on Eagan tonight at Eagan High School. Show your support by joining the "White Out" and wear white to the game!

9th Grade 4:00pm
10th Grade 4:30pm
JV 5:45pm
Varsity 7:15pm

Hope to see you all there!

Mustangs Gain First Win!

The Mustangs held on for a 73-68 win over conference opponent, East Ridge to start the conference season 1-0. The Mustangs combined for 13 trifectas in an impressive shooting performance to get the victory. Jerise Washington provided early offensive spark for the Mustangs with 10 first half points, finishing with 15 for the game. Blake Anderson also returned to give a boost with his outstanding all-around play as he led Mounds View with 18. Overall, eight Mustangs scored in the win.

Fundrasing Blitz a Success

THANK YOU to all the families and businesses that helped make our 2010-2011 Fundraiser a success. On Saturday we concluded our campaign that gives us resources to provide a better experience for our players.

Also, thank you to all our players for your efforts to make our 2010 fundraiser a success!

Big Game Tonight!

The Mustangs take on our district rival, the Irondale Knights tonight at 7:15 at Mounds View. We hope to see you there!

Mustangs Lose Tough Season Opener in OT

Zach Lofton scored 42 points for Columbia Heights to hold off the Mustangs 66-62 in overtime last night at Mounds View. Jordan Van Eps led Mounds View with 32 points. It was a tough game for the Mustangs as Blake Anderson left the game after scoring 11 early points with a sprained ankle, as did Chris Severson. The Mustangs look forward to bouncing back next Friday 12/10 against district rival, Irondale. Game time is 7:15pm at Mounds View.

All Team Carbo Load next Thursday, Dec 9!

The Parent Booster Club will have pizza delivery, salad, breadsticks, dessert, and beverages for each player and coach. Food will be served in the Commons area of Mounds View High School (the large area just past the front office).

Due to the various practice times/locations, the schedule is tentatively

5:15 Freshmen Team (maybe lift after prac if there is a lull in the time)

5:30 Sophomore Team (trying to allow food to settle for an hour before prac)

5:45 JV/Varsity Team (assuming prac at Island Lake is finished at 5:30 and players drive back to MV to eat)

2010-2011 Fundraising Kick-Off Campaign

Please help support our program through the purchase of a Discount Card that offers some great deals at several local establishments. The Fundraiser Campaign started Thursday 12/2 and will conclude December 11th.

In the past several years, we have depended on fund raising to help fund the necessary expenses to keep the Mustangs competitive. The player fund raisers have helped fund assistant coaches, video camera, video editing equipment, off season tournament entry fees, a "Shoot-a-Way" GUN ball retriever, practice gear, team banquet expenses, basketball uniforms and other incidental expenses. Last year we added a new ball rack. We still use the original ball rack purchased in fall of 1967, even though it's pipes are taped together and wheels replaced several times.

For participating players, check out the incentives for your efforts!

Thank you for your continued support of the Mustangs!

Order Your Mustang Basketball Apparel by Dec. 5th!

1. JV/Varsity players ONLY: https://identitystores.com/Stores/StoreFront.aspx?StoreId=2168 (hooded sweatshirt and sweatpants for players with option for name and number....and game day vest will be added 12/1) Password: jumpshot23 (note: lower case j)
2. Coaches/fans/parents/siblings/players: https://identitystores.com/Stores/StoreFront.aspx?StoreId=2167 (cinch sack, long and short sleeved black t-shirts with Mustang Basketball Scramble Letters, long sleeved polo shirt, long sleeved wicking shirt) No Password Needed for this link

Notes:

• You can place 1 order using both sites if you add to your cart and click on second link.
• Cinch sack is a nice sized gym bag for all players.
• You will be asked to specify your name as recipient for Mary to organize order when it gets shipped.
• Problem with password? Make sure the "J" in jumpshot23 is not capitalized
• You do NOT have to create an account to order
• Game Day Vest option will be moved to JV/Varsity player link on Dec 1st
• Ques? Call Mary Kruger at 612-382-2047

Have fun shopping!

Mounds View Boys Basketball Booster Club

Another Season Begins!

It's hard to believe it, but our first game is Friday against Columbia Heights! There isn't much on this site to look at, but we've created Google calendars (link on left margin) for the three teams (9th, 10th and JV/Varsity) in the program. Practice schedules will be updated soon.

High school teammates carry on

I found this long ago, and it is about two wrestlers of all things....but it is a powerful story about overcoming adversity and the meaning of friendship. Take the time to watch this, you won't regret it.

High school teammates carry on.

Being Tough

This past week has given me so many things to write about, I just wish I had the time to share all my thoughts. I have been collecting a few things though for future posts.

Regardless of the sport, coaches, teammates, even fans appreciate TOUGHNESS. However, it seems most people have their own definition of being TOUGH. There have been a couple things that have come to my attention that help define toughness for a basketball player.

One great example came directly from Tubby Smith, the University of Minnesota's coach. In an interview about the development of his team for next year, he had this to say:

"That's one of the things that we were hoping, that we would grow and get better," Smith said. "Being tougher. Being men. I said that from last year to this year, you've got to keep getting better. Ralph [Sampson III] is getting there. Colton is there. Colton is as tough as there is. Travis Busch is there. Knowing how to be tough."

"Setting a good, solid screen, to me, is being tough. Being in the right spot. Making the right decisions. Fighting through fatigue. Busch? He's a guy that gives you that hustle. He can raise the level of intensity on the court, because he plays with such reckless abandon."

(Travis Busch is a 2005 Mustang. He is the school's all-time leading scorer and Minnesota's 2005 Mr. Basketball.)

A more in-depth definition came from Jay Bilas, on his blog at ESPN.COM. He defined 33 things that define a tough basketball player. Every basketball player should read this. Be honest with yourself. ARE YOU TOUGH?

The Journey

As March Madness hits full swing once again, it always serves as a refreshing reminder of why basketball is such a great team sport. Besides the bracket mania that hits practically every workplace across the country, the various post-season tournaments (NOT JUST THE NCAA DI TOURNEY!!!) offers something even more valuable....countless stories of odds defying success by teams achieving great things through a combination of incredible individual dedication and even greater commitment to their teammates. After all, (this might be a future blog in itself), but there are fewer things that are more satisfying in life than EXCEEDING expectations against all odds.

This year, NDSU caught the nation's attention when they qualified for the tourney by winning the Horizon League Conference Championship. What's truly remarkable about this story is that the seniors of their team matriculated to NDSU knowing that they would not be able to have any hopes of March Madness for the first four years of their college experience as the school was in the process of moving from DII to the DI level. Knowing this, they embarked on a journey, a journey to prepare for one opportunity to play on college baskeball's biggest stage, the NCAA tournament.


While Kansas, and Minnesota native Cole Adrich proved to be too much for the Bison, it was Ben Woodside's comments that caught my eye. In the career ending loss in which he scored 37 points, he had this to say:

"It has been a great run for us," Woodside said. "It's been a great journey for us seniors. We won't be able to play as teammates anymore and we have been together for a long time so it definitely hurts. But the positives throughout our journey outweigh the negatives by a long shot."

This made me think of the message we constantly try to impress on our kids at Mounds View.

ENJOY THE JOURNEY.

High school basketball is a unique opportunity in life. For years kids spend hours upon hours playing hundreds of games, honing their skills and building relationships that hopefully culminate in something great..like a state tournament run during their senior year. However, no matter what, we want kids to savor the journey-the ups and downs, the joys and frustrations that inevitably mark every high school season along with the bus rides, the locker room moments, the open gyms, the carbo loads.....the list is endless.

While the goal is always success, regardless of the W's or L's, the journey is what remains in our memories, and ultimately makes us all better players, teammates, and people.