Hockey rink turned court recalls Civic Center days

The Class 2A and half the 3A boys' basketball quarterfinals reminded us just how much Minnesota is the state of hockey. Not only were the games played at the home of the Gophers men's hockey team (Mariucci Arena), but the court also said Xcel Energy Center on it and read Saint Paul Minnesota across the baseline.

St. Bernard's coach Ed Cassidy took it one step further following his squad's 74-69 victory over La Crescent in the opening game at the first-time site.

"It reminds me of when I played [with Simley] in the state tournament at the Civic Center [in 1974]," Cassidy said. The Spartans won the Class A consolation championship after losing to St. James 71-52 in the opening round.

"This is surprisingly nice," Cassidy said. "It's a great atmosphere to play in."

Winning Wednesday didn't only bring St. Cloud Tech one step closer to a state championship; it guaranteed the Tigers three games in the state tournament and some extra time in the Twin Cities. That was the first thing junior Nate Wolters excitedly mentioned after a 79-68 victory over Cambridge-Isanti. When asked if Tech is staying in Minneapolis all the way through Saturday -- there are no Class 4A games Friday -- Wolters smiled and thought for a minute.

"I hope so," he said. "But I don't think so."

Regardless, more games on the big stage won't hurt Wolters' cause. The 6-3 guard averages 20 points and seven rebounds per game and said he has drawn some preliminary interest from colleges. He had 21 points in only 20 minutes Wednesday and went 8 of 11 from the field. The task will get tougher today when St. Cloud Tech faces top-seeded Minnetonka.

"They're probably the most talented team in the state," Wolters said. "We'll play hard and see what happens."

The conference with the most teams in the state tournament? That would be the Central Lakes with three -- St. Cloud Tech in Class 4A, and Willmar and Little Falls in 3A.

"Our conference is very strong," Tech coach Randy Jordan said. "Top to bottom, it's a battle every night. It prepared us very well for the postseason."

St. Thomas Academy held Little Falls to 44 points Wednesday night, yet coach Mike Sjoberg felt the Cadets "escaped" with a 15-point victory.

"I think it got a little tentative," he said. "And any time you get tentative, you risk having somebody come back on you."

Up by as many as 19 in the second half, St. Thomas Academy allowed the Flyers to get within 11 with 5:26 to play. But that was as close as it would get.

Senior Fritz Waldvogel had six steals for the Cadets, five in the first half that led to eight points.

"In the second half, we had some letdowns," he said. "We could have been stronger. But you'll win most games if you only allow 44 points."

• Gophers coach Tubby Smith was at Target Center watching Cooper junior Rodney Williams Jr., one of the top uncommitted recruits in the state. Williams made seven of 15 field-goal attempts and one of three free throws, finishing with 17 points and 10 rebounds in the Hawks' 4A quarterfinal victory over Burnsville.

• The finalists for the Mr. Basketball award, which will be announced April 27, are Jared Berggren of Princeton, Michael Floyd of Cretin-Derham Hall, Cody Schilling of Ellsworth, Jordan Taylor of Benilde-St. Margaret's and Anthony Tucker of Minnetonka.

• Total attendance Wednesday at Mariucci: 11,663.

RON HAGGSTROM, MICHAEL RAND, BRIAN STENSAAS AND JOHN MILLEA