Off to see a legend

Prologue
Off to Cretin-Derham Hall to complete one of my must do items on my 2011-12 schedule.  That's see Mounds View and legendary coach Ziggy Kauls in his 45th and final year.  Nice pregame ceremony with CDH coach Jerry Kline Jr presenting coach Kauls with a custom game ball.  As always the hot dog gets the Czar's A+ grade.  Add in a can of Barq's Root Beer and that's my kind of concession fare.  Not a great night for a college coach to have to work.  Saw one in the building with his mistress, committed or foolish?  Only time will tell.  Fitting that its Valentine's Day for my 1st post after the death of one of my favorite's growing up, Whitney Houston.  Few better singers for songs on this day and I'll pick one with a Valentine's Day title (if not theme in the actual lyrics).  So she's a no-brainer choice for

Song of the Day
Whitney Houston - Saving All My Love For You

Game Time
Slow start for Mounds View's offense as they start with their version The Swing (the ugly step sister of THE WORLD'S WORST OFFENSE).  Frosh Sam Neumann knocks down a pair of 3s, Cortez Tillman with 5 in a row and Neumann finishes it with a bucket.  14-4 Raiders at the 11:15 mark.  But that would be their last field goal of the half.  Mounds View's patience pays off as they use a 7-0 run to cut the margin to 17-14 at the 3:15 mark.  Nice cut down the lane from Mike Kerfeld for a layup and a skip to Paul Kroska for 3 in that run.  20-16 CDH at the half.

The CDH field goal drought ends after 12:45 as they get the 1st bucket of the half.  That starts a 12-0 run where Sam Neumann knocks down 1 3 and then heat checks from the volleyball line to close it out.  32-16 CDH at the 13:35 mark and Mounds View takes time.  Cortez Tillman with a 3 to push the lead to 37-20.  Then soph post Tim Hanson comes off the bench and converts a 3 point play with 8:38 to go for the 1st Mustangs field goal of the half.  Their field goal drought is 11:42.  That starts a mini 7-2 spurt and forces a CDH timeout with 6:19 left.  39-27 CDH at that point.  Tillman and CJ Neumann put it away as Tillman makes back to back 3s and CJ scores 10 in a row in 2 minutes to blow the score open.  CDH wins 57-40.

Post Game
For Mounds View, Mike Kerfeld and Andy Justin lead with 10 each.  This squad doesn't have a lot of firepower (they tried swing, power motion and a 5 out look to get their 40) so its a tribute to coach Kauls that they have 14 wins (14-7 overall).  They're 7-6 in conference and remain tied with White Bear Lake for 4th in the Suburban East.  Both are battling Mahtomedi for the 4th seed and final home game in section 4AAAA.  Though White Bear Lake just beat the Mustangs by 20 in their last meeting.  Next up a trip to East Ridge on Friday to start a stretch of 4 must win games before closing out the regular season at home vs Woodbury.

For Cretin-Derham Hall, freshman Sam Neumann finishes with 4 3s and 19 points to lead the Raiders in scoring.  Cortez Tillman 13 of his 18 in the 2nd half and all 3 of his triples.  CJ Neumann with his 10 in a row late reaches double figures with 11 and 7.  Raiders still holding off Eagan for the 3rd slot in section 3AAAA.  If they run their final 5 in league play (no Roseville or Woodbury), a loss to DeLaSalle on Saturday shouldn't hurt them there.  Raiders are 13-7 overall, 10-3 in the Suburban East.  That's 3rd in the league, 1 game behind Woodbury who hosts Roseville next Thursday.