Turtle Lake Ready for State 'B'

Tomorrow is a big day for eight small schools around the state. That's when the State Class B Bo...  More »

Tomorrow is a big day for eight small schools around the state. That's when the State Class B Boys Basketball Tournament begins in Fargo. The tournament has its usual mix of schools that are frequent competitors - and some that haven't made the trip in a while. Jim Olson reports that Turtle Lake-Mercer falls into the latter category - and people in the town are excited about it... (Jim Olson, KX News) Amid all the signs around Turtle Lake for the state tournament, there a number everyone seems to know. 31 years. It's been 31 years. 31 years is a long time. 31 years is a long drought. (Jim Olson, KX News) It's been 31 years since the Turtle Lake-Mercer Trojans have sent a team to the Class B Boys tournament. And Paul Singer should know. He was number 34 on that 1977 team. (Paul Singer, 1977 TL-M Player) Probably the toughest thing to share with your was a first round loss to Epping - of course they were the Cinderella team that year. (Jim Olson, KX News) And now, he can offer his knowledge of what a Class B is like to his son - Grant. (Grant Singer, 2008 TL-M Player) It's kind of cool to know that he played in it 31 years ago and now I get to do what he did. (Jim Olson, KX News) And Grant and his teammates are getting some sage advice from Paul - about the atmosphere of the tournament... (Paul Singer, 1977 TL-M Player) You've got to stay focused. There are lots of things going on around you, it's not a normal Class B atmosphere. (Jim Olson, KX News) ...and about making the most of the opportunity. (Paul Singer, 1977 TL-M Player) I tell them to have a lot of fun. I tell them to enjoy the opportunity they've been given, it doesn't come along often. (Jim Olson, KX News) It doesn't come often - and that's one reason Leah Anderson has been busy on Turtle Lake's Main Street. (Leah Anderson, Wife of Coach) Unbelievable. The entire town is going to be gone this week, we're all going to Fargo. For the kids, and for both coaches and the school it's just incredible. (Jim Olson, KX News) She's the wife of the team's coach - and says while it's been tense til now, the state will be fun. (Leah Anderson, Wife of Coach) Regionals was pretty stressful, expectations were high. I think this week is just going to be fun. (Jim Olson, KX News) The kind of fun that infects all the kids in school. (Cheer) Go for the win! Number one team! (Jim Olson, KX News) But how about Grant Singer - number 25 on this year's Trojans team? Will he be looking into the crowd at the Fargodome for his father - a veteran of the last Trojan state tournament team? (Grant Singer, 2008 TL-M Player) No, I gotta keep focused on the game. I'm sure I'll hear him yelling though. (Jim Olson, KX News) And he'll be yelling pretty much what he's been telling his son already this week. (Paul Singer, 1977 TL-M Player) Leave it all on the floor, 'cause it might be the only opportunity you have. In Turtle Lake, Jim Olson, KX News. The Trojans took 6th place in state in their last appearance in 1977.  « Less