A state championship? World Series title? Trip to the NCAA final eight?
Been there, done those.
It’s hard to say what’s going to happen in 2024, but there are some trends building that should make it an interesting time on the local sports scene, which could lead to exciting events on the horizon.
The Mankato East boys basketball team has played a very good schedule so far, posting an 8-1 record. The Cougars already have quality wins against New Ulm, Orono and Alexandria, with games against Owatonna and Stewartville coming up this week.
The Cougars have state tournament experience, with all the key players having played for last season’s section champions. A repeat trip seems possible. Mankato West seems to be the biggest hurdle in the Cougars’ path, which makes it more fun.
If the Cougars, or Scarlets, reach the state tournament, quality wins will be important in the seeding process, hopefully avoiding one of those well-constructed metro teams in the opening round.
At Minnesota State and Gustavus Adolphus, the men’s and women’s basketball teams are among the best in their respective conferences, and the Bethany Lutheran men’s team also has the look of a league champion.
Minnesota State’s men’s and women’s teams are both at the top of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference standings. The men are 13-0, while the women have won seven straight with point guard Joey Batt back in the lineup. It would certainly be fun to get some NCAA regional games back at Bresnan Arena.
The remaining regular-season games, conference tournament and any NCAA action are among the most enjoyable events of the season. It wouldn’t be a stretch to see all five teams playing in the NCAA tournament in March.
The Timberwolves are the best team in the NBA’s Western Conference which means … nothing, other than they have the best record on Jan. 4. But there seems to be something different about the current team, even with a recent stretch of less-inspired play.
It’s weird that the Timberwolves are talked about in the group of best teams, given the many years of coaching changes, player revolts and poor drafting, but here we are.
It will be fun to watch these teams excel, and other teams emerge over the next couple months. There’s nothing better in athletics than watching a team find its mojo and reel off a nice winning streak, building community support with each victory. Whom those teams are remains to be seen, but it’s going to be fun to watch.
And it doesn’t look like we’ll be distracted much by shoveling the driveway.
Chad Courrier is the Free Press sports editor. He’s at 507-344-6353, ccourrier@mankatofreepress.com or on Twitter @ChadCourrier.