Record comes with Win!

Friday night was a pretty special night. Without taking away from the overall team effort of winning our sixth straight game against Forest Lake (W 67-55), it should be pointed out that Jordan Van Eps tied a school record (Cole Christenson, 2009) by making eight 3-pointers during the game. There have been a lot of great shooters that have played for Mounds View over the years....It's a pretty special accomplishment. Congrats Jordan.

In avenging the earlier loss to the Rangers, the Mustangs moved to 8-6 in the Suburban East Conference and 10-11 overall. The win marks the third conference win in row over a team that we lost to the first time through the conference schedule. Tuesday night brings the opportunity to extend that streak to four as we head to Cretin-Derham Hall to take on the Raiders. Game time is 7:15pm. We hope to see you there!

Monday JV/Varsity Practice Still at 3:30pm

We will still have practice today at MVHS at 3:30pm. Please drive safely.

Being a Teammate

This was forwarded to us by former Mounds View baseball coach, Mark Downey, who is now coaching at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota.

He forwarded to us as a great example of a Mustang alum actually living out what is so often talked about by coaches. Most people acknowledge that being a member of a team...at least a healthy one...requires some self-sacrifice. Unfortunately, acknowledging it and living it can be two very different things. Also, it applies to EVERYONE. No one escapes this from top to bottom...for the superstar it might be giving up individual statistics (see the second-half of Michael Jordan's career) but on the other end of the spectrum, it might be a role player letting go of individual frustrations of not playing to support teammates along the way. (This, I would argue, is probably THE most difficult thing to do as a member of a team.)

That brings me to the inspiration of this post.

Pat Delahunt was one of our captains in 2006-2007. In all reality, as a ninth grader there is no way anyone would have predicted that he would even be a varsity contributor based on his natural ability. However, he is one of the most goal-orientated, tough minded and hardest working players I've ever come across. (Garrett Ganske, a high school teammate from 1995 will probably forever hold the #1 spot in my mind!) He literally WILLED himself into being a player. He spent countless hours working on his game...often times alone. Pat in the truest sense is a gym-rat. A lot of people play basketball, but there only a handful that are basketball players. Simply stated, he LOVES the game. It took time, but by his senior year he was starter and in the process earned the respect of his peers to be voted captain.

His high school career was statistically average at best, but his legacy as a student, teammate and person stand out among the best to ever wear a Mustang uniform.

Pat was cut from the St. Olaf squad his first two years. And now, his senior year, despite the thousands of hours he's put in the game, he's only played 15 minutes all season. But he continues to be an outstanding student, teammate and person. In Coach Kosmoski's words:

"Pat became a part of our team last year as a junior. I have been able to count on him every single practice with his consistency and effort on the court. His positive energy is inspirational and has not only made himself a better ballplayer, but he has made those around him better as well. Pat has only been a positive asset to this team these past two years. There is a reason that we are a better team today than last year, and Pat has been an integral part of this growth."

I have no doubt the lessons Pat has learned through playing basketball are going to lead him to great things as he moves on to the next stage of his life. It was a privilege to coach him..for many it has been a privilege to call him a teammate and friend..and for those that don't know Pat De La Hunt, I can only hope you have people in your lives like him.

Tough Four Game Stretch: Part II

Just over a month ago, I blogged about a tough four game stretch against four of the strongest programs in the Suburban East Conference. We went 0-4 during that time.

As we go through the conference schedule a second time, we've arrived at the same stretch once again....Only this time, with our 67-49 win over Stillwater on Tuesday night, we've already notched more W's than the first time through.

Tuesday night was arguably the best combined effort of our Varsity and JV teams all season. Both teams adjusted well and played very efficiently on both ends of the floor.

Friday night should be another great test in our rematch against Forest Lake. Our January game at Forest Lake was one of our ugliest games of the year....However, our team has grown a lot in the last 4-5 weeks. Having won 6 of the last 7 games, I'm excited for our guys to get another chance to take on the Rangers! We hope to see you there!

Coach Has His Own Dance?

After coaching at Mounds View for over 44 years, Coach's legacy on the basketball court speaks for itself, but at the Sno-Daze pepfest last Friday, it was taken to another level. Apparently, he's also an accomplished dancer. (Check out the last seconds of the pepfest video.) Check out the lyrics written by Liv Rosin.



Our captains (Blake Anderson, Jordan Van Eps, & Matt Kruger) also had some fun....at our expense! Ha!...if people only knew how much I harass Coach Leiser about his red sweater!

Mustangs at the Target Center!

On Saturday, February 12th, the Mustangs boys basketball team will play St. Anthony at the Target Center. Game time is 1:00pm.

Due to our agreement with the Timberwolves, tickets are a combination package; they will not be available for just the Mounds View game.Tickets are $15 and can be used for the TIMBERWOLVES game against Philadelphia that evening at 7:00pm.

Click here for more information about tickets.

Watch the Mustangs take on the Raiders LIVE!

Once again, CTV North Suburbs will be going LIVE on channel 20 with tonight's Mounds View vs. Roseville boys basketball game. Along with that, it'll be web-streamed starting at 7 pm.

http://www.ctv15.org/schools/mv/sports/basketball/mvhsboys.html

The cities that will see it LIVE on channel 20 are Arden Hills, Falcon Heights, Lauderdale, Little Canada, Mounds View, New Brighton, North Oaks, Roseville, Saint Anthony and Shoreview.

JV Game at Park Cancelled (Tue. 1/25)

Unfortunately, several JV players from Park have fallen to injury and/or illness leaving Park without enough players to have a JV game tonight.

Players: As of right now, the bus will still leave at 4:30pm for the B-squad game. BRING STUDY MATERIALS WITH YOU!

Sophomores and Varsity will still play at 5:45pm and 7:15 respectively.

Parent Booster Club Announces "Theme Nights"

Join us Friday, January 28th at "our house" as the Mustang Boys take on the Bears of White Bear Lake!! It is CAMOUFLAGE NIGHT -- dress up in your best camo gear as the Mustangs HUNT DOWN the Bears!!

Parents, don't feel you have to dress up in camouflage, but we'd love to have the students participate. Of course, if you want to, we won't stop you! ;)

• Two $5 Caribou gift cards will be given away to the best dressed camouflage wearer at half time of the Varsity Game.

• SENIOR STABLE -- come on out and ROCK THE HOUSE!!

Game Times:
JV and Sophomore squads play at 5:45pm
Varsity tipoff is 7:15pm

(Courtesy of Mustang Parent Booster Club)

Timberwolves High School Basketball Tour at Tonight's Game

While we did not organize this through the program or through the booster club, the Minnesota Timberwolves have selected our game to be part of the Wolves High School Basketball Tour.

Representatives from the Wolves organization will be traveling to Mounds View tonight to be a part of the local basketball community. Details of the event listed below.

• The Minnesota Timberwolves Reps will arrive an hour before the game starts
• As fans enter the facility the Wolves Van will be parked outside the front entrance
• A table will be set up near the entrance with Wolves reps handing out prizes and a chance for fans to enter their name into a drawing for the halftime shooting contest
• Main Attraction: Minnesota Timberwolves Halftime Shooting Contest (Details Below)

MAIN ATTRACTION

The main attraction will be the halftime shooting contest in which 4 lucky fans in attendance will have a chance to win some great Wolves prizes. Before Halftime there will be a chance to enter your name into a drawing to be chosen for the halftime shooting contest (Please notice the shooting contest will take the majority of halftime). Each contestant gets a chance to make a lay-up, free throw, 3 pointer, and half court shot in 30 seconds.

• Lay-up: Wolves Hat
• Free throw: Wolves Shirt
• Three Pointer: 2 Lower Level Tickets
• Half court shot: 4 Lower Level Tickets

Game Program Online

Every year we rely on the support of many local business that provide great products and services to our community AND have an affinity for helping our school's athletics and activities. This year, the combined support of these local businesses and our volunteer parent boosters produced one of the best game programs around. If you haven't had a chance already, check it out.

Mustangs vs. Rangers on the radio!

If you can't make the trek north on Friday, the Mounds View at Forest Lake the game will be on Spirit 95.9 FM radio and also online on MSBN www.mnsportsnetwork.com.

Tough Four Game Stretch Starts Tonight

The next four games will be a great test for our guys. We are getting closer to being healthy and hopefully we can start to hit our stride as a team. Here's what we're facing:

• Tonight we travel to Stillwater (5-4) in a rivalry game. There have been some great games over the years.
• Friday we head up to Forest Lake (7-2). The Rangers have been very strong once again, after losing several key guys off a state tournament team last year. Phil Hegseth is scoring over 19ppg in leading the Rangers
• Tuesday night we're back home to face Cretin-Derham Hall. They are loaded with talent and have four players averaging 11+ ppg. Rajon Kelly is one of the best guards in the state.
• On Friday the 21st, Parents' Night, we host Woodbury (3-5). Don't let their record fool you. Three of their five losses were by 1 point and Coach Swansson always has guys running the high 1-4 well. As mentioned, this is also our chance to recognize the love and support that has made this group of guys a great team to work with.
  

Mustangs on LIVE TV & Streaming Webcast!

Hopefully you all can make it to our game tonight against Hastings.

10th Grade and JV Tip-off at 5:45pm
Varsity Tip-off at 7:15pm.

If not, we just found out that CTV North Suburbs will be going LIVE on channel 20 with tonight's game vs. Hastings. Along with that, it'll be streamed live on the web starting at 7 pm.

http://www.ctv15.org/schools/mv/sports/basketball/mvhsboys.html

The cities that will see it LIVE on channel 20 are Arden Hills, Falcon Heights, Lauderdale, Little Canada, Mounds View, New Brighton, North Oaks, Roseville, Saint Anthony and Shoreview.

Start of a New Year!

First of all, I hope anyone reading this had a safe and Happy New Year!

What an ending to 2010! When I wrote about the roller coaster of ups and downs the season could bring, I didn't think it would be illustrated so dramatically in the Bethel Holiday Tournament.

Going into the game against Cooper, I expected us to come out on top. We were coming off a few good practices, we finally had all of our guys back in the line-up and Cooper, while still talented didn't quite have the same firepower they've had the past few years....I even told Pat Delahunt ('07, captain) and Neal Gupta ('07) before the game that I would be disappointed if we lost. Yikes!

After the game, we found ourselves in an all too familiar position...(and I'm not referring to the lopsided loss!)...but a point in the season where, as a coach, you feel like the team is at a crossroad.

Obviously, it was a disappointing loss...but what would be our response as a team? Would we feel sorry for ourselves? Would we scatter? Or...would we rally around each other and come out fighting the next chance we get? In the moment, it's a horrible feeling. There's an uncertainty...one of concern, but also one of excitement.

It happens every year, but the circumstances always differ. In the locker room coach talked about our team in 2005. We ended up 3rd in the state that year and Travis Busch went on to win Mr. Basketball for the state of Minnesota. But, there was a point in the year were we were a .500 team and lost to Forest Lake at home after scoring 9 points in the first half. After that Forest Lake game in '05, the kids re-grouped and beat Stillwater at their place!

It was a very similar feeling Wednesday night.

Wow. What a difference 24 hours can make. Despite playing without Jordan Van Eps (let's hope he can get healthy soon!) and Blake Anderson only playing 14 minutes because of foul trouble, our kids responded by playing with incredible energy and cohesiveness to beat Rosemount 48-33.

While getting a win is always satisfying, I hope our guys took more away from the past few days than that. I hope this is springboard into our second season (Conference), but we will undoubtedly still have ups and downs along the way. But, experiences like this will help us keep climbing the mountain TOGETHER no matter what twists and turns our season takes along the way!

PS...It would be great to have another crack at Cooper in March!
mk

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.