The season-opening game was quite a test for the 2013-14 Cardinal boys basketball team. Mayer-Lutheran was no push-over warm-up game.
Last spring the Cardinals defeated the Crusaders 60-38 in the Section 5-2A championship game at St. Cloud State University’s Halenbeck Hall, the game that sent the Cardinals on to the state tournament.
Mayer Lutheran had all of its 2012-13 starters back for this season and, according to Cardinal head coach Skip Dolan, have been picked by the publication "Breakdown Basketball Book," to win Section 2-2A. The Crusaders are no longer in Section 5-2A with the Cardinals.
The Cardinals traveled to Mayer Lutheran High School on Friday night, Nov. 22, and defeated the Crusaders 58-55 before a very charged-up Mayer Lutheran crowd.
It certainly looks like despite losing three very valuable seniors last year, Brett Ahsenmacher, John Kalthoff and Brett Fobbe, the 2013-14 Cardinal boys team is for real.
The slogan for the 2013-14 team is "New team, same dream."
Tough opening games
The Cardinals have quite a few non-conference games this season due to the fact that they only play the teams from the WCC East once now. On the Cardinal’s non-conference schedule this year is are Mayer Lutheran, St. Cloud Cathedral, Maple Lake, Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted, Breck, Sartell, Albany, Rockford, Foley, Watertown-Mayer, Chatfield and Zumbrota-Mazeppa.
"I was concerned if our guys could stand up to these non-conference section games, knowing they have a big target on their backs," Dolan said.
The Cardinals defeated both Mayer Lutheran and St. Cloud Cathedral in the playoffs last year. They are the first two games of this season for the Cardinals. Like Mayer Lutheran, Cathedral returns with four of starters.
Players had grit
"They showed in the first game that they have that special grit," Dolan said.
Mayer Lutheran had some big players, but Matt Miller, Andrew Fort, Barrett Bataile and Chase Knickerbocker did a very good job rebounding.
"We say that rebounding is maybe the singular most important part of the game," Dolan said. "If they get one shot and you get more than one shot, usually that team wins."
Cathedral will be the Cardinals’ next game and they will not be as strong on the inside, but they are loaded with talented guards.
Miller started the year with a huge double-double, 17 points and 12 rebounds.
"Add to that five assists, and you can’t ask much more from your leader," Dolan said.
Knickerbocker led the Cardinals with 19 points. At 6 foot 5, Knickerbocker is tough to defend.
"Chase came out to show the type of scorer he can be," Dolan said. "He shoots it very well, and can put it on the floor into a very fluid jump shot."
Andrew Fort scored 11 points with seven rebounds. He also did a great job helping Kyler Fobbe get the ball up the floor.
"Drew is going to play another vital role for us; he will be our point-forward this year, just like John Kalthoff was last year," Dolan said. "He did a great job."
Dolan said that Miller, Knickerbocker and Fort will be the three who teams will gear their defenses toward this year.
"We got exactly what I hoped for out of the big three last night," Dolan said.
Fobbe had four points and six rebounds for the night.
"Kyler is so solid as a floor leader," Dolan said. "He can defend, he can rebound and has wonderful timing on his passes."
Tanner Olean scored four with one rebound for the night. Riley Atkinson scored three and one rebound.
"Everyone will learn to appreciate what Tanner and Riley bring to the table," Dolan said. "I am talking about their instincts for the game, and I mean all aspects of the game."
Bataile did not score any points, but he did bring down three rebounds, and that is what Dolan wants from him.
"I told him, as good of shooter as he is, I need him to become possessed with rebounding," Dolan said. "We have plenty of shooters, but I need someone who puts offensive and defensive boards first. Barrett responded just like I would hope that he would, which is why I love coaching these kids. They listen and work so hard at wanting to get better."
Up next
■ Tuesday, Nov. 26, Annandale hosts St. Cloud Cathedral at 7:30 p.m. at AHS. The Crusaders will also be a strong contender for the 5-2A championship.
■ Tuesday, Dec 3, Annandale hosts Maple Lake at 7:30 p.m. at AHS. Maple Lake is returning most of its starters from last year and may be a dark horse in Section 5-2A.
■ Friday, Dec. 6, Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted travels to Annandale High School for a 7:30 p.m. match-up.