NORTH DAKOTA GRANDMA HAS DOUBLE CHEERING DUTY AT TOURNEY

This year’s State B Basketball Tournament is a special one for Lorelei Maier. The Ellendale, N.D., resident has a pair of grandsons playing in the event for two different teams.

Grandson Milo Sumption plays for Leola-Frederick, and grandson Will Maier plays for Howard.

Thursday afternoon, Grandma Maier was decked out in a Howard shirt, and on Thursday night, she was sporting a Leola-Frederick shirt.

So, what would happen if Howard and Leola-Frederick play each other in the tournament?

“I have a special shirt that I’m going to wear,” she said. “It’s got Howard Tigers on one side and Titans on the other and then grandkids on the back, so it’s really cute.”

Unfortunately, that game will not take place though, because the two teams will end up finishing in different brackets following Thursday’s action where Howard won and Leola-Frederick lost.

Maier said things could not have worked out better with both grandsons playing in the same state tournament.

“It is a dream come true,” Maier said, noting that her own children never quite made it to state tournaments. “We were blessed with three athletes, two boys and a girl that played in high school, very good athletes, and we always came up a little short. Not everybody gets to the Big Dance. And then to have two that get to the Big Dance, on two different teams, it’s a privilege.”

Regardless of what happens at the State B, Maier will be one happy fan. She said is not one bit nervous of how things will shake out during the tournament.

“And the reason is, no matter win or lose, they’re all going home to hang a banner in their gym,” Maier said.

Dave Vilhauer

MORRISON FACES FORMER SQUAD IN TOURNEY OPENER

Bryson Morrison has several unique connections that all weave their way to the State B Boys’ Basketball Tournament.

For starters, the Viborg-Hurley senior opened the tournament this weekend by playing his former team, the White River Tigers, during Thursday’s opening round. While the Tigers defeated the Cougars 72-57 on Thursday, Morrison said it was fun to play against his former team.

“It was pretty fun to play against them, especially (when) you’ve known them your whole life,” Morrison said. “You know most of their plays, but it’s different when you’re playing against them, definitely.”

Morrison spent three seasons playing for White River and was a part of three Tiger teams that qualified for the State B tournament from 2020-22. He has now spent the past two seasons playing for the Cougars, which has added two more state tournament appearances to his resume. That adds up to five total appearances in the State B tournament.

Morrison said it feels the same each year playing in the tournament and that the feeling never gets old.

“The fifth year and it never changes,” Morrison said. “You never lose the first-game nervousness and it’s always fun.”

Morrison also has family ties to the tournament. His brother Braydyn is a sophomore for Viborg-Hurley, while his cousin, Justice, is an assistant coach for White River. He says he relished the opportunity to play against his cousin’s team.

“I never thought I’d play against him, but it was pretty fun,” Morrison said.

Morrison is also the nephew of former Hurley standout Bo LaCroix, who was a member of the Hurley Bulldogs 2007 State B championship team. Morrison says the two have connected through the game of basketball and that his uncle has taught him a thing or two as well.

“We’ve definitely watched some film, breaking down film with him and stuff,” Morrison said. “It’s been fun.”

While he has enjoyed his athletic careers at both White River and Viborg-Hurley, Morrison says it has been an honor to represent the LaCroix side of the family with the Cougars.

“Pretty much carry on the LaCroix legacy,” Morrison said. “Even though I’m a Morrison, I like to go on my LaCroix side and show them some love.”

Jacob Wuertz

ENJOYING HIS FIRST STATE TOURNEY EXPERIENCE

Andrew Wanner is no stranger to the athletic stage, but is experiencing some new this weekend.

The former Groton multi-sport standout is officiating in his first state basketball tournament at Wachs Arena.

“It’s definitely a big deal,” Wanner said. “Being from Groton, growing up around Aberdeen my whole life, the State Bs was always the place to be. I’m very fortunate to be on the list to officiate this tournament.”

Wanner, who never had the opportunity to compete in a state tournament as a competitor, said being part of one as an official helps to make up for it.

Wanner said there will be a few butterflies during the tourney, but is ready for the opportunity.

“I will be nervous, but I’m excited,” Wanner said, “and I have a great group of guys to work with, and that will definitely help me along the way.”

Wanner has done his best to prepare for the three-day event, which includes obtaining some tips from other officials who have worked the tournament in the past.

“I got a lot of guys that have given me pointers on how to handle the day and the weekend,” Wanner said. “I’m just taking their advice and we’ll see what happens.”

Wanner hopes that his first state tourney will not be his last.

“Talking to some of the veterans, Kris Frericks, (Daren) Lorenz, and (Paul) Rozell, they always say, once you get a taste of it, you always want to come back,” Wanner said, “so we’ll go year by year on that.”

Dave Vilhauer