Talkin' Sports, Madison-Style: The Madness that is March

So we are in that annual rite of passage that is known as "March Madness." It's a time where debate over politics is replaced by discussion on whether or not Western Kentucky can be the next George Mason and make the Final Four (they won't).

But here in Madison, we've had our own little run of "March Madness", namely the Bulldog basketball teams.

Before going into the obvious, let's talk about the Lady Bulldogs. If you hadn't heard (and judging by some of the crowds, you haven't), these girls were pretty darn good this year. They finished the regular season with their first winning record in quite a few years and won their second-straight district title. Unfortunately, the Bulldogs ran into a buzz-saw that was called Dell Rapids and saw their season come to an end.

The funny part was this was a very young squad, with two sophomore starters, and the top two reserves were a sophomore and a freshman. Some experts figured if Madison won five games this year, it'd be a good season. Hmm.... I'm just curious if these "experts" ever get tired of eating crow! But with two starters returning and the 6 and 7 players ready to crack into the starting five, I wouldn't be suprised to see Madison's girls make State next year.

The boys' slogan this year was "We're gonna finish the job". After last year's run to the title game, expectations were pretty high at the start of the season. In fact expectations were so high, some folks wondered if last year wasn't a "choke job." I can assure you it wasn't Platte-Geddes is a darn good team.

Madison had a good start, stubbed it's collective toe against P-G and West Central in the middle of the season and kicked in that secret sixth gear where they looked downright scary. I might be a bit biased, but had Madison played "AA" Champ Sioux Falls Lincoln, the Patriots would have had a loss.

State was fantastic! I don't know what prayers or bribes were offered, but the weather was spectacular all weekend. Funny thing, the blizzard that hit the area a day after Madison left was a bit similar to the last time the Bulldogs were in the Black Hills (blizzard struck after we left that time, too... co-inky-dink?) But our crowd support was fantastic... in fact one Rapid Citian called the Bulldog fans "Rapid City's Stimulus Plan!"

This year, we finished the job. We got past the McLaughlin Midgets (who are by no means "short" on talent), Lennox, and our old friends from Platte-Geddes in the championship. First title in 64-years. Let me put some emphasis on that again.

Sixty..... Four..... Years.....

I'm still cracking a smile even as I write this!

I've been calling Bulldog basketball for seven seasons, give or take a few games. This has been by far one of the most exciting seasons that I've had the pleasure to call. An up-and-coming girls' program and a boys' team that promises to be a state powerhouse for the forseeable future... you can't ask for much more than that.

With that in mind... it's safe to say after four months of non-stop action and 60+ basketball games on the air this winter, this sports director is ready for a vacation... perhaps to the Black Hills again?

Don't Change that Channel! We'll be Right Back!