Class B/C All-State and All-Conference Softball honors

First-team All-Conference
Kyla Olson - MAC
Loren Erickson - MAC
Kinley Pope - MAC

Second-team All-Conference
Janeal McDonald - MAC

All-State
Kyla Olson - MAC
Loren Erickson - MAC
Kinley Pope - MAC

Northwestern A All-State and All-Conference Softball Honors

(From iHigh.com)

2011 Western A All Conference Nominations

Pitcher
Shalaina Duford - So - Polson - 1st
Stacey Oedewaldt - Sr - Libby - 2nd
Taylor Armstrong - Sr - Libby - 2nd

Catcher
Kayla Duford - Sr.- Polson - 1st
Alexie Hageness - Jr. - Libby - 1st
Erika Nelson - Jr - Columbia Falls - 2nd
Katie Andrews - Sr. - Ronan - HM

Outfield
Kodi Woods - Sr. - Polson - 1st
Madison Sandefer - Jr.- Columbia Falls - 1st
Heidi Rausch - So.- Polson - 1st
Ashleigh Lynch - So. - Ronan - 1st
Kylie Knutson - Sr. - Polson - 2nd
Jordan LeFebvre - Jr. - Columbia Falls - 2nd

Infield
Sallie Sams - Sr - Polson - 1st
Alysha Martin - Sr - Libby - 1st
Jaime Gilden - Sr - Libby - 1st
Shaun Rowe - Jr. - Columbia Falls - 1st
Ashley Johnson - Jr. - Polson - 1st
Madison Tveidt - Sr. - Whitefish - 1st
Makaliah Wilson - Jr. - Polson - 2nd
Renae Nelson - Sr. - Columbia Falls - 2nd
Marissa McCrea - Sr. - Ronan - 2nd
Taylor Barton - Sr. - Libby - 2nd
Kathrin Jetty - So - Columbia Falls - 2nd
Payge Delaurenti - Jr. - Ronan - HM

Utility
Jessica Bagnell - Fr - Polson - 1st
Kim Tangen - Jr. - Libby - 2nd
Lyndsay Clairmont - Jr. - Ronan - 2nd

2011 Western "A" All State

Alysha Martin - Sr - Libby
Jaime Gilden - Sr - Libby
Kodi Woods - Sr - Polson
Sallie Sams - Sr - Polson
Shalaina Duford - So - Polson
Shaun Rowe - Jr - Columbia Falls
Niki Birky - Jr - Columbia Falls

Note: If you win the AFC Championship, don't do this...

I'm thinking about doing some championship videos for our two state title teams in the county, but then I ran across this little nugget from Boston (just before they got hammered by the Chicago Bears in the 1985 Super Bowl) and am really reconsidering it.

Morning Coffee... Nate Montana's DUI

Well that aint Joe Cool...

(From Riley Lemm's MasSports)

Joe Montana’s, the Hall of Fame QB, son, Nate Montana, was booked on DUI charges today at 3:46 this morning. This isn’t his first run in with the law, he recently transfered from Notre Dame, where he got in trouble for underage drinking at a party last year.

This might be a big blow to his chances for starting QB for the U of M, he isn’t as good as his father was, but still fairly good. This might help some of the other teams in the Big Sky Conference throw off the hood that the U of M has been recently, and open the way for a new team to be on the top.

I can't believe I'm saying this but it appears the Montana Grizzlies just can't catch a break. Bringing in Nate, regardless of how he actually performs on the field was a good public relations move to at least develop buzz around the program after a disappointing season.

However, this wasn't exactly the buzz they were looking for.

And now for headlines

Dallas comes back against Miami in Game 2 of NBA Finals
Apparently all the chest punching by the Heat made Dirk angry.

NFL owners cut pay for coaches and staff, even though it's a PLAYER lockout
A few more stories like this and I will refuse to watch professional football ever again.

10-year old Julia Dale absolutely nails the national anthem before Game 2
And you should also hear her sing "O'Canada" if the Raptors ever make the Finals... oh wait...

Sports Photos of the week, June 2

Here are the sports photos of the week for June 2...

Morning Coffee... Worst Dentist ever.

Sometimes, NFL fans are my least favorite kind of fans to be around. It's generally because of their ability to scream and rant about their team but not be able to tell me who their second-string quarterback is.


Really, I don't respect the intelligence of your normal NFL fan. My point is proven by this story...

The Washington Redskins are holding a contest on Facebook to find the best fan photo. If you judge things based on which picture makes you want to floss the most, the clear winner is Janice Bausch, who has a Redskins logo permanently painted onto her crown.
The NFL may not even play next year, your Redskins certainly won't be playing in any postseason games next year regardless so why not put a politically incorrect logo on your tooth? That would be a hoot!

Something tells me those are actually the only three teeth she has.

And with that, here are headlines...

Ricky Rubio is going to play for the Timberwolves... finally
And America will finally get to see the teenage wonder from Spain... wait, he's 38 now?

Teddy Roosevelt wins mascot race, only to be disqualified
Kind of like he was disqualified from the Republican Party.

Cleveland is still angry about the whole Lebron thing...
Calling him pure evil is a new one.

Legion Baseball: Twins sneak past Mariners

(From the Daily Interlake)

WHITEFISH - Jack Cronin's RBI single to left center scored Connor Donahue from third base in the eighth inning, giving the Glacier AA Twins a 5-4 American Legion baseball victory over the Mission Valley A Mariners on Wednesday at Memorial Field.

Donahue led off the inning with a double and advanced to third on a passed ball.

Seven different players accounted for Glacier's seven hits in the contest. Kyler Blades had the other extra base hit with a triple.

Glacier (14-9) plays at Kalispell AA Lakers tonight at 6.

Mission Valley A - 000 - 002 - 110 - 4

Glacier Twins AA - 200 - 001 - 11x - 5

MV - 6 hits, 4 errors. Glacier - 7 hits, no errors

Josh Rustad, Hoyt (5) and Jack Humphreys, Robby Gauthier (5); Connor Donahue, Geoff Streeter (7) and Jimmy Jumper. W - Streeter. L - Hoyt.

MISSION VALLEY A - Humphreys 0-1, Davin Sorrell 0-2, Rustad 1-4, Jake Young 1-3, Chris Clary 1-3, Gauthier 0-3, Kevin Hagedorn 0-4, Bradley Pichler 1-3, Hoyt 1-4, Dalton Molhzon 1-4.

2B-Molhzon; RBI-Pixler, Young.

GLACIER TWINS AA - Jeremy Nielson 1-4, Jack Cronin 1-5, Kyler Blades 1-4, Streeter 1-4, Carl Talsma 0-3, Cody Hill 1-4, Zach Maassen 0-3, Donahue 1-3, Jumper 1-4.

2B-Donahue; 3B-Blades; RBI-Blades, Cronin.

Week 5 Polson Bay Golf Course League Results

Here are the results from this week's golf action in Polson

Team vs. Team Action
Kokanee (11) VS Binks Links (5)
Hu Beaver Builders (4) VS Whealon Construction (12)
Steve's Painting (8) VS Roy Sturm Construction (8)
Anderson Broadcasting (0) VS Glacier Bank/Valley Business (16)
1st Citizens Bank (4) VS True Value Hardware (12)
Harbor Light Furniture & Flooring (8) VS DRS (8)
Just Us (4) VS Wallaces Golf Shop (12)
Valley Glass VS Bye

CURRENT STANDINGS

MOUNTAIN DIVISION
Whealon Construction - 55
Glacier Bank/Valley Business - 54
Hu Beaver Builders - 41
Binks Links - 34
1st Citizens Bank - 30
Steve's Painting - 24
Roy Sturm Construction - 22
Anderson Broadcasting - 12

LAKE DIVISION
DRS - 52
Harbor Light Furniture & Flooring - 51
Kokanne - 49
Just Us - 46
Wallaces Golf Shop - 36
True Value Hardware - 32
Valley Glass - 22

Results
Low Gross $10 Roger Wallace 34
Low Net $2.25 each R. Kelley, T. Bassett, B. Sego, C. Cottet
Long Putt #5 Ron Fricker $10
Long Putt #7 Dan Healy $10

Morning Coffee... When does Lebron James finally go "I told you so?"

Are the Finals already over? Catching Game 1 of the NBA Finals last night, I came away with a few thoughts.

1. The Heat played really, really good defense. They took the Mavs out of their game.
2. Everybody seemed to be working together really well for Miami. They've really taken their game to a new level in the playoffs.
3. Can Dallas bounce back from this considering their NBA Finals history of choking?

And... how are you going to respond to Lebron James after he's an NBA Champion? Would you still hate him for leaving Cleveland?

And with that, here's headlines from the day...

Shaq is retiring
And IHOPs around the country are quivering in their boots.

FIFA sponsors worried about corruption allegations
Whoa, you're telling me that a sport is corrupt? That never happens right?

Jimmer looking to improve his defense
Meaning that he might actually play some defense in the NBA.

Polson softball wins sixth state title

The Polson softball team has done it again.

The Lady Pirates downed Frenchtown 7-1 in the state championship game, for their sixth title in school history.

Polson had made quite a run through the tournament, defeating Anaconda 10-0 on Thursday, then Billings Central 8-4 on Friday.

On Saturday, it was a game of epic proportions as the Lady Pirates took on state softball power Frenchtown in the undefeated game. They knocked off the Lady Broncs, 4-1 in the morning, but Frenchtown wasn't done just yet.

The Lady Broncs climbed back into the state championship game by defeating Belgrade 10-0 in the third-place game, which set a rematch against Polson.

The Lady Broncs defeated them 7-6 in the first game to force a second game with the winner taking home the state title. The Lady Pirates didn't wilt under the pressure though and defeated Frenchtown 7-1 for Montana's crown.

Polson has won the Class A softball championship in 2001, 2002, 2004, 2007, 2010 and now in 2011.

See the State Bracket Here

Mission Valley Mariners vs. Libby Loggers Photos

The Mission Valley Mariners swept the Libby Loggers today in a doubleheader by scores of 10-0 and 13-1. Chris Clary hit ANOTHER home run while Kellen Hoyt and Josh Rustad pitched two great games. Here are some photos... (Click on Read More to see the full galley)

State A-C Track Meet Photos

Here are some photos from the the Montana State A-C Track Meet yesterday...

2011 Farmers Insurance Senior Open

(Courtesy of Cameron Milton)

2011 Farmers Insurance Senior Open
Golf Tournament Results
Saturday & Sunday, May 21st-May 22nd, 2011

Proceeds From The Tournament Went To The March Of Dimes Charity. The Second Annual Farmers Insurance Senior Open Raised $1400

Overall Champion:
Dave Streeter

RESULTS:
Ladies Flight
PLACE-PLAYER-SAT.-SUN.-TOTAL
1st Place-Darlene Schiefelbein-71-74-145
2nd Net-Diane Alderdice-73-78-151

Super Senior Flight
PLACE-PLAYER-SAT.-SUN.-TOTAL
1st Net-Bob McClellan-67-71-138
T2nd Net-Chuck O'Connor & Jim Chapman-72/74-75/77-149

Championship Flight
PLACE-PLAYER-SAT.-SUN.-TOTAL
1st Gross-Dave Streeter-73-75-148
2ndGross-Tim Reid-74-79-153
1st Net Wayne Haskins-70-66-136
T2nd Net-George Mahoney-72-66-138
T2nd Net-Johnny Ashcraft-68-70-138
T4th Net-Bill Pinkney & Rick Schreiber-69/71-72/70-141

First Flight
PLACE-PLAYER-SAT.-SUN.-TOTAL
1st Gross-Burt Cannon-82-76-158
2ndGross-Bob Vick-84-86-170
1st Net-Bob Slaven-70-63-133
2nd Net-Steve Clairmont-67-67-134
3rd Net-Lynn Smith-70-70-140
T4th Net-Bill Boettcher & Jerry Burns-68/70-74/72-142

Hole Prize Winner
Saturday
Hole #1 Long Putt
Dave Streeter
Hole #2 Accurate Drive Women
Diane Alderdice
Hole #3 Accurate Drive Men
Larry Ashcraft
Hole #9 Closest to the Pin (70 and Over)
Herb Kimball
Hole #13 Closest to the Pin
Joe Meyers
Hole #17 Closest to the Pin
Terry Fox

Sunday
Hole #1 Long Putt
Herb Kimball
Hole #2 Accurate Drive Women
Darlene Schiefelbein
Hole #3 Accurate Drive Men
Mark Beckley
Hole #4 Closest to the Pin Ladies
Darlene Schiefelbein
Hole #13 Closest to the Pin
Dave Streeter
Hole #17 Closest to Pin
Bill Pinkney

Sports Photos of the week, May 26

Polson Tennis state preview

(From the Daily Inter Lake)

Ten would have been a perfect sendoff for state, but seven should suffice.

For awhile last Saturday, on the final day of the Northwestern A divisional tennis tournament in Libby, Polson had a chance to qualify all 10 of its girls for the Class A season finale.

"That was with four matches to go in singles and in doubles," Polson coach Bob Hislop said.

"Three girls who didn't make it are freshman and they were one match away."

To qualify for state, individuals and doubles teams had to place in the top four. That meant Polson qualified seven girls, led by two-time divisional champ Kendyall Rochin, a senior.

"That's the most," Hislop said of state qualifiers for boys or girls in his 20th season on the courts.

"I had six boys a couple times, I'm sure of that."

Seven should be enough, however, to help the Polson girls push Glendive, Livingston and Hamilton for team trophy honors. Polson won its fifth-straight divisional title last weekend.

Polson's girls finished second at state last year with 20 points. Glendive won it with 23.

Rochin finished fourth last year at state in doubles with her sister Kayla.

Kendyall Rochin finished sixth in doubles as a sophomore.

"She's done very well," Hislop said of Rochin this spring.

"She really wanted to play singles last year, but stayed willingly in doubles. This is her time to do it on her own. She's only been beat three times this season."

On the boys side, Polson is sending two boys doubles teams.

"The kids did fabulous (at divisional)," Hislop said.

"We got four boys to state, we like their chances. We could be top five, six, and we're only taking one senior boy (Justin Evertz) to state."

Hislop said division champs Evertz and Will Davey are playing with a lot of confidence.

"Justin and Will are playing fabulous right now," he said.

"They just have to put two to three matches back-to-back."

State play begins today in Great Falls at 8 a.m. The forecast is for 70 percent chance of rain with a high of 50 degrees.

The Class AA state tournament was held indoors all three days on three courts at a country club in Great Falls last weekend because of rain. That meant for all-night tennis.

"We've been pretty lucky, we'll take it as a compliment," Hislop said weather-wise.

"Everyone in the state gets rained on (last weekend) and we have 75 degree weather in Libby. Central A finished at 3 in the morning (because of rain). We feel pretty good (that won't happen this weekend)."

Columbia Falls is sending three girls - one in singles and one doubles team - to state and three boys - one in singles and one doubles team.

Libby has qualified three boys, all in singles. That was enough to give the Loggers their second-straight divisional title last weekend.

The Loggers finished third at state last year with 15 points, just two behind runner-up Havre. Corvallis rolled up 59 points to win it all.

The Loggers are again led by divisional singles champ Cree Maloney, who finished fifth at state last year.

Alex Cislo, third in state doubles last year, will play singles this weekend.

Whitefish will have one boys doubles team competing.

Northwestern

A state qualifiers

Boys

Columbia Falls - 1 doubles team (Vadim and Miroslav Zvygelskiy - 1 singles (Parker Johnson)

Polson - 2 doubles teams (Justin Evertz and Will Davey; Brady Hislop and Ian Laimbeer)

Libby - 3 singles (Cree Maloney, Alex Cislo, Crawford Dinning)

Whitefish - 1 doubles team (Connor Ellis and Camp Kenyon)

Girls

Columbia Falls - 1 singles (Gabrielle Stenger) and 1 doubles team (Lexie Bartkoski and Marissa Getts)

Polson - 3 singles (Kendyall Rochin, Whitney Zimmerman, Sara Robinson and 2 doubles teams (Kenzie Clay and Jordan Quinn; Audra Engebretson and Carmen Borchers)

Ronan - 1 doubles team (Katelyn Matkovich and Taylor Courville)

Morning coffee... Mavs move on to NBA Finals

The Dallas Mavericks polished off the OKC Thunder last night to win the Western Conference Finals and punch their ticket to the NBA Finals. As a Seattle SuperSonics fan, all I can say is thank god, the nightmare is over. Seeing the Thunder go to the Finals and win it would have been the ultimate slap in the face after Clay Bennett moved the Sonics from the city. Oh wait, not moved, stole.

I can't say that I've been a big Mavs guy in the past, but it's been rather entertaining watching them make their run this year. With the Heat leading 3-1 in their series we could see a rematch of the 2006 NBA Finals when the Mavs took a 2-0 lead over Miami and then fell apart to lose 4-2. With the Big 3 now on the Heat, this Finals is going to have so many storylines.

And with that said... Go Dallas!

Headlines
Fan dies after fall at Coors Field
Not a fun story, as the guy was only 27 years old.

Zach Greinke HITS a home run
Is there anything this guy can't do? Pitch. Hit. Stop World Hunger. A-Mazing.

Tampa Bay dies water blue to support Lightning in semi-finals against Boston
Wait... you dyed it blue? Waaaayyy to go out on a limb.

Mission Valley Mariners field improvements

The Mission Valley Mariners have begun construction on the cover for stands at their ballpark in preparation for the Montana State Legion baseball tournament this summer. The improvements were sponsored by the Polson Rotary Club, and as you can see they're moving quickly with construction, here are photos, courtesy of Mission Valley Mariners President Robin Wallace.