Congrats, Cherry

HIBBING—First off, congratulations to the Cherry High School boys basketball team on their Class 1A state title.

The Tigers were a once-in-a-generational team, if that’s even a word.

Cherry was a well-oiled machine, with seven players that could score at any given time.

Not knowing any of the other teams at the state tournament, I had no doubt that the Tigers were going to walk through the tournament.

I know Cherry coach Jordan Christianson and his players didn’t want to think that, but it had to be in the back of their minds.

No team could match up with them. The Tigers had too many weapons.

Cherry does lose Isaac Asuma, Andrew Staples and Landan Ruotsalainen, along with Logan Ruotsalainen Ty Sikkila and Elis Kowarsch, but with Noah Asuma, Carson Brown, Noah Sundquist and Isaiah Asuma are all returning, so the Tigers will be a handful for Section 7A teams next season as well.

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The Minnesota Wild are now eight points out of a playoff spot with 11 games remaining.

Mathematically, the Wild haven’t been eliminated, but I believe the handwriting is already on the wall.

The questions that need to be asked are, ‘What would be the benefit of making the playoffs?’ ‘Is this a team that could make a run in the playoffs if they do make it?’ Or, ‘Should this team miss the playoffs and get a higher draft position?’

I know for the organization it’s beneficial to make the postseason. It brings in more revenue, but is being just good enough to make it mean anything?

We might be just good enough to not make it.

Minnesota hasn’t drafted in the top 10 since 2020 when it drafted Marco Rosso ninth overall. Before that, Matt Dumba was drafted seventh in the 2012 draft.

The Wild have taken some decent players in previous drafts, but never that elite player.

I know Kiril Kaprisov is elite, but he was taken in the fifth round in 2015 (135th overall).

The Wild need a resurgence of younger talent and by getting a top-five pick, Minnesota General Manager Bill Guerin could get an impact player for hopefully, years to come.

Now, it’s not that easy to get into the top of he draft because the NHL, in its infinite wisdom, has adopted the draft lottery, just like the NBA. Suffice it to say that at the conclusion of the regular season, the 16 teams that did not qualify for the playoffs are entered in a weighted lottery to determine the initial draft picks in the first round.

That doesn’t guarantee the Wild a top-10 pick let alone a top-five pick, because it all boils down to the luck of the ping pong balls.

Just remember, Guerin is still handcuffed with the Ryan Suter and Zack Parise contracts for one more season.

The Wild got away with that the last two seasons, but it’s finally starting to catch up with the team that got knocked out of the playoffs in the first round the past two seasons, and probably won’t make it this year.

They don’t match up well with teams in their own division like Vegas, St. Louis and Dallas to name a few.

Minnesota needs the once-in-a-lifetime player like Sidney Crosby, Connor Bedard or Connor McDavid.

I know it’s wishful thinking, but let’s take our chances with the draft this season.

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The Minnesota Twins begin their 2024 season Thursday in Kansas City.

The Twins’ offense should be solid this season, especially if Byron Buxton can stay healthy and play in centerfield.

With Carlos Correa, Edouard Julien, Carlos Santana, Royce Lewis, hopefully he stays healthy), Alex Kiriloff, Matt Wallner and Max Kepler, along with Kyle Farmer, Chrsitian Vasquez and Ryan Jeffers, the Twins could be on pace to hit well over 250 home runs, especially if Jose Miranda gets his groove back.

The question is, ‘Will they strike out less this season?’

I certainly hope so, but with power comes strikeouts.

As far as the starting pitching staff goes, Pablo Lopez, Joe Ryan, Bailey Ober and Chris Paddack should be alright, but injuries have already hit the bullpen, with Jhoan Duran and Caleb Thielbar already on the IL. Fortunately, it’s not due to arm problems for the two of them.

What hurts is that Sonny Gray got away. Had he been here, I’d feel more comfortable with the starters.

I would have thought the Twins management would have bolstered up that starting staff, but they decided to cut salary instead of add on to what they already have.

As a fan, that’s disappointing, but the team should still be good enough to challenge for the Central Division title.