As I peer out the sliding door in my living room out to my balcony, I see three things.
I see pure sunshine. I see a blue sky. I see a few stubborn mounds of snow.
I’m pretty sure this is also the first time I’ve turned off my heat in the middle of February. Which, hey, no complaints here.
But when the weather begins to change in this manner, it means one thing for me. The postseason push for the winter sports season begins.
It’s an exciting period. On one hand you have so much intrigue and excitement with months of grinding action coming to a grand crescendo. On the other hand, well, as the only full-time person on our sports desk, this period of time consumes my life for four to six weeks (100% worth it, though).
This year will be my fourth winter postseason push. I have no clue what will happen, but that’s the best part. Legendary moments, performances and teams come out of this week stretch.
It’s why I look forward to this time of the year no matter what. Something always goes crazy in a good way.
In 2023 it was Frankfort boys basketball. A team that was basically the entire starting secondary on the football team in the starting lineup on the hardwood.
By no accounts were they the favorites after their district championship game.
The Panthers’ 52-45 win over Gaylord St. Mary in the regional semifinal was a bit of a shock. Their 50-44 win over Lake Leelanau St. Mary to claim the regional championship was considered an upset.
Then came their state quarterfinal game against Hillman, one of the top teams in the state and a favorite to make the Final Four. Frankfort trailed by nine points in the fourth quarter. By the time the final horn sounded, Frankfort was ahead 59-57.
And suddenly, out of nowhere, I was booking a hotel and travel plans to Breslin Center for the state semifinals.
The run ended in the state semifinal round, a 54-37 loss to juggernaut Wyoming Tri-Unity. Carter Kerby, a sophomore at the time, dropped 20 points after being a waterboy for this team four years earlier.
There’s a reason I dubbed them the “Undercats.” Did that phrase stick? No, absolutely not. But they do remind me that any team can make noise this time of year.
In 2024 it was, well, it was more like who wasn’t it. When it came to the Division 4 (or in Minnesota terms, Class A) teams there was always a U.P. team represented in the Final Four at Breslin Center. The state quarterfinal game was always in my coverage area, a true treat.
The other schools, not so friendly. The travel adds up fast. In 2024, across 21 days, I racked up 1,804 miles.
In 2025, well, it was a mixture of both 2023 and 2024.
My coverage area had 21 basketball teams vying for a district title. By the time I got down to the final game, 20 teams didn’t win a district championship. The gym I was entering was my last hope.
It was 20-2 Gladstone against undefeated Negaunee, the team that gave Gladstone both of its losses. Oh, and the third meeting was on Negaunee’s home floor.
I wasn’t overly optimistic in Gladstone’s chances as I walked in. But I also knew that, in fact, anything could happen in March.
After the first quarter, Negaunee appeared to be in full control. By halftime, it still seemed like Negaunee had it. By the time the fourth quarter rolled around, man, it was a toss-up. It was the first time in my career where I managed to sweat through my T-shirt and pullover. And as Negaunee senior Aubrey Johnson’s last-second 3-pointer to win the game at the buzzer fell short and right of the basket, pandemonium ensued as Gladstone pulled off the upset.
I had what became another 10 days on the road thanks to this team. By the time they were bounced in the state quarterfinal round, I racked up 2,698 miles during the postseason push.
Again, 100% worth it.
But now I ask one question. It’s the same question I asked when I first started here at The Free Press — who, and what, is next?
What moments will be created? Who will become immortalized in their town’s history for that one incredible moment?
The best part is none of us knows the answer to that question. How exciting is that?
And for that, I am grateful.
Mitch Vosburg is a multi-time award-winning sports writer and photographer who proudly serves as sports editor for The Free Press. He can be reached at mvosburg@mankatofreepress.com. Follow him on X (@realmitchvburg) and on Instagram (@themantheycallmitch).