Notes from the Sports Desk by Tyler Julson

 

I’ve been optimistic about the weather changing in my columns over the past couple weeks, but I have now changed my tune. I’m convinced we’re going to be stuck in this winter weather for eternity. The closest I’m getting to a golf course this year will be watching it on TV. But enough about the weather, if we ignore it long enough it will get bored and stop throwing its tantrum.

The local winter sports season is still plugging away for many teams, although Mother Nature is making it difficult. Both Northwood-Kensett and Lake Mills have wrapped up their winter seasons, the most notable finish being the Lake Mills wrestling team placing fifth at the state duals and placing three wrestlers in the individual tournament.

The Albert Lea wrestling team is finished in dual action, falling to Northfield in the section semifinals. Northfield did go on to upset Owatonna in the finals, so at least Albert Lea can say it got beat by the champions.

The individual section tournament is set to start Friday and run through Saturday, but of course there’s another 8 inches of snow predicted over the weekend, so we’ll see. There are a number of wrestlers I could see earning a state tournament bid. Seniors Zach Glazier and Nic Cantu are about as close to locks as you can get. There’s also Cole Glazier, Cam Davis, Derrick McMillian, Josiah Hedensten and Caleb Talamantes, all of whom I think have a realistic shot to advance.

The boys’ hockey section tournament starts Thursday night. The Tigers host the Falcons of Faribault in their first game; the Tigers came out on top of their earlier game this season 7-2. Of the eight teams left in the section, the Tigers have beaten five of them.

Albert Lea boys’ swim and dive will also finish up this week. They’ve had a rough season — being the smallest team out of everyone they’ve competed against — however, they’ve been setting some personal records throughout the season, which is what head coach Clay Scott said the main goal was.

As for the boys’ and girls’ basketball teams, we still have a bit of waiting to do before their section tournament opponents are revealed.

In professional sports, this past weekend was the annual NBA All-Star break. I didn’t watch any of it, but from what I have heard, I didn’t miss anything special. I long for a day when we could see a dunk contest featuring LeBron James, Blake Griffin, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Russell Westbrook — that would be one for the ages if all those guys pulled out all the stops.

A lot of people complain about the All-Star Game as being a no-defense showoff game, to which I say, “Yeah!?” What’s wrong with watching the best players in the world showcase their heaps of talent in a game that means nothing? Why would they play defense?

We are about a month and a half out from the start of the Masters tournament. My early prediction is, of course, Tiger Woods, but I’ll come up with a few other guys who could make a run in the coming weeks in case any of you want my inside scoop. And by inside scoop, I mean completely random prediction that will likely be way off.

Tyler Julson is the Tribune sports reporter. Contact him at tyler.julson@albertleatribune.com.