‘Bits and Pieces’ from this year’s prep playoff season

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Back in 1964, the Dave Clark Five was my favorite singing group. The second hit of their phenomenal career was a song called “Bits and Pieces.” The group, finally inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2008, sold more than 100 million albums. So with respect to my favorite group, here are some “Bits and Pieces” for your enjoyment:

Hunger Takes No Holiday is off to a great start. Our goal of collecting $10,000 for Second Harvest Food Bank is moving along and Super One hosted food collection events at its three Superior stores. Food and cash donations totaled about $700 for the two-day event. Thanks to the store managers Tom O’Neill in the Belknap Plaza, Greg Kremer at the downtown store and Tim Michalski in East End for making it happen. Super One Foods will be working with Lance and Billy again before the July 4th culmination.

Our first contributors were Grizzly’s for a corporate partnership; Tom Hansen of Channel 6 made the first cash contribution; Julie Walker of Carlton gave the first out-of-town donation; and Tim and Karen White of Hawthorne sent the first donation by mail. Thanks for getting the ball rolling.

Now, it’s time for all the people I “harassed” at the Super One collections to help us. We are not asking for $1 million, unless that’s your choice. It would provide $10 million in food to area food shelves. If everyone who reads our column, received a flyer, listens to Billy on WNXR (107.3 FM) and Lance on the iFan Sports Network gave $5, we would already have achieved our goal. Send us an e-mail to learn how to get involved.

Rick Rockwood and the Friday Night Hoops league is helping with food collection during playoffs March 10-12 at UWS. Spectators and players can bring nonperishable food items to fill collection boxes when they fill the gym. Pam O’Neill and the Superior Basketball Association are allowing us to have a food drop-off at the middle school Saturday. Support the young basketball players and the hungry.

Don’t forget the Superior Athletic and Academic Hall of Fame on March 27 at Superior Middle School. For $40, you get an incredible meal and witness the inductions of some deserving academic and sports figures. While our local Nobel prize winner won’t be there, Lance Boyle will regale you with “Tales of Lance and Billy” and may even have an 8-by-10 autographed glossy for you.

In fact, Lance has 10 tickets he must sell or face Ray Kosey’s consequences. Call me (Billy) at (218) 391-0254. I will relay your requests to Lance. You can also get tickets at the high school; call 392-8720, ext. 149.

Bob Blake, a graduate of the Don Leighton School of Keglerology, rolled a perfect 300 game Feb. 23 at Village Lanes.

Stay tuned for information about the fourth annual Bowling to Beat Breast Cancer event Oct. 16-17. It’s still months away, but Barb Hoag is working to raise $10,000 for a great cause. Give her a hand.

Denfeld basketball coach and Superior High School graduate, Jim Jubenville, just completed his second season with the Hunters. His team finished 13-13 for its best season in six years. Congratulations former Spartan.

The Spartan girl’s basketball team is hosting a tournament playoff game Tuesday against Antigo at 7 p.m. This is the first time the Spartans hosted a home playoff game since 2004-05. The last time they won playoffs was in 1998 when they defeated Eau Claire Memorial. Unfortunately, they lost to state champ Hudson. Let’s fill the gym for Coach Schulz and the girls. This will be the last home game for seniors, MacKenzie Newman, Christa Diedrich, Chelsea Breimon, Ashlee Knight and Janelle Strewler.

Spartan boys’ basketball team plays Marshfield at 5 p.m. Saturday. The winner advances next Friday to the sectional semifinals in Marshfield. Saturday is a great day for basketball; let’s fill the gym for these great kids and Coach K.

The Spartan boy’s hockey team made it to the Wisconsin State Tournament. Coach Jason Kalin has taken his team to state each of his nine years as head coach. Even though the Spartans lost to Eau Claire Memorial, who will ever forget the five-overtime thriller over River Falls. It was a great season.

Northwestern Tiger boys basketball team won its first playoff game beating Somerset 63-41. Northwestern defeated Amery 63-54. The Tigers play in the regional final match Saturday in Rice Lake.

The Tiger girls basketball team plays at Amery on Tuesday in first round action. This year, the Tigers beat Rice Lake – at one time a top 10 team in D-2 – and lost to Ladysmith and Ashland, basketball powerhouses. Good luck to Coach Leith and Lady Tigers.

What a year for Minong girls! They are undefeated and No. 1 in the state. Tuesday, they host Solon Springs. According to the WIAA, the only teams from our area to finish No. 1 were Park Falls, Flambeau and Hudson.

Remember, Northwestern and Superior basketball games can be viewed on ifan.tv.

All of this tournament talk makes me “Glad All Over,” courtesy of the Dave Clark Five.

Opinions and story ideas can be e-mailed to dleigh1273@aol.com or wgranlund@centurytel.net.

Tags: sports, superior, have, fun, or, get, out, of, the, way