Fabulous Five: Minnesota's best prep sports stories
Hockey Day Minnesota will make its way onto this week's list, but pucks and great hockey wasn't the only worthwhile sport of the week. Let's get to this week's Fabulous Five prep sports stories...
5. Randolph commits to Nebraska-Omaha
Jake Randolph is one of the best forwards in the state. He helped lead Duluth East to the Class AA state hockey tournament finals last year, and he's once again leading the way this year for the 17-1 Greyhounds. On Monday Randolph accepted a full scholarship to the University of Nebraska-Omaha. He says he would have chosen UNO over Minnesota-Duluth and Minnesota because "they have the better coaching staff."
4. NCAA-style girls basketball tournament?
Coaches across the state of Minnesota seem to be in favor of an NCAA-style 64 team girls basketball tournament. The tourney is designed to seed Class 4A teams No. 1 through No. 16 in four separate brackets, eventually forming the "Final Four." The Minnesota State High School League's board of directors will vote on the issue next week. If it's passed it could be implemented this season. If it doesn't pass, coaches plan on putting together a mock tournament to prove their point.
3. St. Thomas Academy downs Breck in overtime
Freshman Tommy Novak scored with 1:21 left in overtime to give No. 3 St. Thomas Academy a 3-2 win over No. 2 Breck on Hockey Day Minnesota. Breck coach Les Larson said someone approached him after the game and asked, "Who is going to be better between now and March?" Larson responded, "We'll see."
2. Max Jablonski scores for his brother in Pond Hockey game
Hockey Day Minnesota raised about $200,000 for the family of Jack Jablonski, the Benilde St. Margaret's junior varsity hockey player who was paralyzed during a game in December. More than $50,000 was raised at the Jack Jablonski Junior Bronze Pond Hockey Tournament on Lake Minnetonka. While the money raised is spectacular, the story wouldn't be complete unless Jack's younger brother, Max, scored a goal during a game.
1. Minnetonka blows out No. 1 Duluth East
The top-ranked, undefeated Greyhounds received a reality check on Saturday as they were blown out by Minnetonka, 9-3. Duluth East pounded the Skippers, 6-2 in the Schwan Cup Gold Division championship game in late December, but Minnetonka wouldn't stop scoring goals -- Max Coatta led all scorers with four goals.
