Cardinal March Madness begins -- update

Here's the Cardinal sports summary from the Cub Reporter
Results…
GIRLS BASKETBALL- VARSITY
(Last night) St Cloud Tech 48 Alexandria 33
The Alex Cardinals opened Section 8AAAA play last night as we traveled to St. Cloud Tech to take on the #1 Seed and CLC Champions. The girls battled Tech hard and made them make several adjustments to their game. Defensively, our feet were firing and the communication was in high gear.
We handled Tech's pressure beautifully and turned it into a non factor. We struggled to score consistently, but never gave up as we cut the lead down to a working margin several times. The Cards eventually succumbed to the talented Tigers 48-33...but accomplished several of our goals for the game like getting their key people in foul trouble, switching defenses, and offensive execution. We ended the year 5-21, but made great strides in many areas.
The girls never stopped battling and you would have been proud of Alex BB last night in particular.
Scoring was led by Senior Katie Hedine with 15 points, 2 assists, 2 steals and 3 blocked shots, Laura Strand 9, Sarah Weaver 7, Angela Christianson 2, and 1 each for Caitlin Dunn and Sarah Wyffels. Sarah also had 5 rebounds. The Cards did not have leading scorer Caitlin Dunn anywhere near full strength as she suffered an ankle sprain against Brainerd. That was a key factor in the game as well.
Great work ethic ladies... lessons in determination, attitude, confidence, and perseverance will carry with you forever.

GIRLS HOCKEY
State Tournament report
This past weekend the Cardinal Girls Hockey team participated in their 3rd consecutive State Tournament. On Friday the Cardinals opened up with the number 1 ranked team in Class A and defending Class AA champion, South St. Paul. The Cardinals knew it was going to be a difficult battle but were up to the task. South St Paul would scored late in the 1st period to take a 1-0 lead into the intermission. South St Paul would come out and score two more times before the Cardinals could get started. Kathryn DelZoppo would put the Cardinals on the board when she received two nice passes from Brittney Bruzek and Abby Williams. South St Paul would add one more to take a 4-1 lead into the second intermission. In the third period the Cardinals were able to capitalize again when Michaela Carlson scored with an assist going to Andrea Toft. The Cardinals had a few more opportunities but were unable to capitalize. South St Paul would move on to the finals with a 4-2 win over the Cardinals. Danielle Justice turned away 31 South St Paul shots on the day.
3rd place game
In the third place game the Cardinals would face the New Prague Trojans. The Cardinals would dig themselves an early hole as they trailed 3-1 after the 1st period despite out shooting the Trojans by a 11-6 mark. The lone Cardinal goal of the period was scored by Brittney Bruzek with assists going to Abby Williams and Kathryn DelZoppo. In the second period the Cardinals would pull within 1 when Kathryn DelZoppo scored with assist going to Abby Williams and Brittney Bruzek. One minute into the third period the Trojans would regain their two goal lead. After that the Cardinals would take over with three consecutive goals for the 5-4 victory and 3rd place honors. Goals were scored by Ahna Olson (assist to Courtney Walsh), Kathryn DelZoppo (assists to Abby Williams and Ahna Olson), and Ashley Holmes (assist to Abby Williams and Kathryn DelZoppo). The win ended the Cardinals season with a 23-3-4 record.
Tournament Notes:
Abby Williams was named to the Class A All-Tournament Team
The Tournament concluded the High School Hockey careers for ten Cardinal seniors: Michaela Carlson, Amanda Solyntjes, Brittney Bruzek, Airien Grimstad, Courtney Walsh, Tiffany Zacher, Sara Toft, Ahna Olson, Andrea Toft and Katie Holt. Congratulations and best of luck with all future journeys.

BOYS BASKETBALL- VARSITY
Monday night Alexandria 88 Sartell 56
In their last regular season home game the Cardinals defeated the Sartell Sabres 88-56. The Cardinals led at halftime 32-26 but exploded for 56 points the second half. It was an incredible Clinic as there were only five times that we did not score when we got the ball the second half. Leading the charge was Justin Larson with 28pts, Chris Conley 21pts, Michael Hendricks 15 pts, Eric Hartmann 11pts, David Lovrien 6 pts, Tom Ronning 5pts and Derek Ludwig 2pts. Chris Conley led in rebounds and blocked shots. Michael Hendricks led the steals and Eric Hartman led in assists. It being Senior night the following Seniors were honored: Ezra Hartsell, David Vinje, Michael Hendricks, Chris Conley, Justin Larson, Tom Ronning and David Lovrien.
The Cardinals now travel to Brainerd on Friday night to finish their regular season.
Seeding for the upcoming Section Tournament will take place on Sunday.

BOYS BASKETBALL- JV
Alexandria 60 Sartell 49
The JV Boys improved their Season Record to 8-10 as they defeated the Sabres 60-49. Tyler Erickson led the scoring with 21 pts, Ben Wilson had 19pts, Tanner Tetrick 8pts, Kreig Katchmark 5pts, Garrett Hoeper 3pts, Robert Aakre 2pts, and Abe Hartsell 2pts.

GIRLS BASKETBALL- VARSITY
Friday night - Brainerd 44 Alexandria 42
The Cardinals dropped an Overtime HEARTBREAKER to the Brainerd Warriors on Friday night 42-44. The Cardinals managed to lead by 3 with seconds waining, but the Warriors drew a foul and managed to tie the game and force OT. We played the OT with 2 starters out due to ankle sprains, and still had the chance to salt the game away at the free-throw line, but came up short. We battled tough and made some nice adjustments through the course of the game but came up short. Turnovers and free throws hampered the Cards chances for pulling away.
Amanda Otterness and Sarah Wyffels led the scoring with 12 and 10 respectively. Caitlin Dunn had 6 points and 5 rebounds before she went down right after halftime, Sarah Weaver had 4 points, 4 rebounds and 5 steals before she made and exit from the game. She also played tremendous defense on the Brainerd sharp shooter. Laura Strand 3, and 2 for Katie Hedine, Bria Lanners and Ashley Kappes. Sarah Wyffels hammered the boards with 7 and Mack West 6. Katie Hedine dished out 5 assists.
It was Senior night and we honored 2 awesome Seniors...Sarah Wyffels and Katie Hedine. We thank them for their commitment and leadership to Cardinal Basketball.