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The Minnesota Youth Athletic Services Grade State basketball tournament marks the end of the winter season for thousands of players across Minnesota. But while the players finally get a break, the work for local board members never stops. In this episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on the logistical "mountain" behind youth sports—from gym-space wars to the emotional intensity of tryout week.

Joining the show are veteran board members Kristi Hicks and Sara Schwartz. We discuss the "shop talk" that happens when association leaders from different communities get together to navigate the challenges of running a program.

In this episode:

• The Mission: Why the focus is on a "growth mindset" and ensuring every kid from 3rd to 8th grade has a place to play.
• The Logistical Puzzle: Balancing gym schedules between varsity sports, JO volleyball, and community ed in a crowded district. Why tournament scheduling begins in June and the behind-the-scenes chaos of hosting a home event.
• The Coaching Debate: The reality of recruiting volunteer coaches versus the challenges of finding and hiring paid professionals.
• The Truth About Tryouts: Navigating evaluation models, the "48-hour rule," and why early team placements don't define a player's long-term ceiling.
• The Human Element: A look at the "emotional labor" and thousands of volunteer hours put in by board members to keep the game alive.

Whether you’re a parent curious about where registration fees go or a coach looking for perspective on association checklists, this episode offers a candid look at the people behind the program.

Plus I start the show off with a few thoughts on the Timberwolves falling again in LA, this time to the Clippers. The 3rd loss in a row is a concerning point as the NBA playoffs loom and as seeding in the Western Conference tightens up.

And the Minnesota Golden Gophers Men's basketball team falls in the opening round of the Big Ten Tournament. A costly run of empty possessions in the 2nd half doom the team that had little margin of error the past 2-3 months.

It's all in this episode of the Splash City Basketball Podcast!

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The madness has officially arrived in Minnesota. As the girls state basketball tournament tips off at Williams Arena and the Maturi Pavilion, we are joined by Star Tribune and Strib Varsity reporter Cassidy Hettesheimer to break down the brackets, the star power, and the stories defining this season.

In this episode, Cassidy shares her observations on the elite level of talent across the state—from the Metro powerhouses to the small-town programs making noise up north. We dive deep into the most anticipated matchups and players, including:

• The Class 2A Gauntlet: Why the first-round clash between New London-Spicer and Minnehaha Academy is a must-watch, and the potential "appointment television" championship matchup between sophomore sensation Chloe Johnson and Kentucky-bound senior Maddyn Greenway.
• Championship Predictions: Cassidy reveals her picks for every class, including why she’s leaning toward Northome/Kelliher in 1A and Marshall in 3A.
• The "State Trip" Experience: From the grind of a marathon winter season to the collaborative new era of high school sports coverage at Strib Varsity, we discuss what makes the Minnesota tournament atmosphere unique.

Whether you’re heading to Dinkytown to catch the games in person or following the action from home, this episode is your definitive scouting report for the week.

Follow Cassidy on Instagram @cassidyhsports and follow her writing at StarTribune and varsity.startribune.com.

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In this episode of the Splash City Basketball Podcast, host Steve Hartman dives deep into the current state of the Timberwolves and Gophers. We'll break down the Timberwolves' recent performance, including a tough loss to Orlando, and discuss what it means for their standing in the Western Conference. Steve looks at the starters' offensive production in wins vs losses to diagnose what goes wrong.

On the Gophers front, we'll examine the close of their regular season and preview their prospects for postseason play. The Gopher women, despite a loss to Ohio State in the Big Ten tournament quarterfinals, could be hosting the first two rounds if they get a top 4 seed in the NCAA tournament.

The Gopher men meanwhile have raised eyebrows with their inspired play. Overcoming injuries, and bad luck, Niko Medved's team beat expectations and now have a chance to make noise in the Big Ten tournament.

Along the way, we’ll also touch on noteworthy performances in regional small college basketball and provide a special announcement about a live podcast event during March Madness weekend.

Connect with Steve and the podcast on social media to learn more about upcoming guests and events.

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On today's episode of the Splash City Basketball Podcast, we’re crossing the border to the center of Midwest basketball: Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

While our focus is usually on the gyms of Minnesota, all roads lead to the Sanford Pentagon this week for the NSIC Championships and the kickoff of the Summit League Tournament. To understand how Sioux Falls became a premier destination for programs like Gonzaga, Baylor, and Iowa State, we’re sitting down with the man behind the brand.

Joining the show is Terry Vandrovec, Marketing Manager for Sanford Sports. A fellow Concordia Cobber (joining us on the heels of our conversation with Coach Tyler Bormann), Terry spent 20 years as an award-winning sports journalist before transitiong to the marketing side of the game.

We discuss:

• The Recruitment of Blue Bloods: How a 3,000-seat "throwback" gym attracts the biggest names in the NCAA.
• The "Pro" Experience for Local Kids: Why hosting high school and DII tournaments is the heartbeat of the Sanford Sports Complex.
• The Journalist's Lens: How Terry uses his storytelling background to market the "Heritage Court" aesthetic.
• March in the 605: A look at the madness of the NSIC and Summit League tournaments happening right now.

I started the show off with some Timberwolves talk and my appreciation for Donte DiVincenzo.

Connect with us: Don’t miss an episode of the best hoops coverage in the region. Subscribe on your favorite podcast app and follow us on Instagram, Bluesky and Facebook for highlights, recruiting updates, and more from across the Minnesota basketball landscape.

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In this episode, Steve Hartman sits down with Concordia College men's basketball head coach Tyler Bormann to recap a landmark season that saw the Cobbers secure their third straight trip to the MIAC tournament. Coach Bormann breaks down the team's 21-win season and their battles with conference champion Gustavus Adolphus, including an overtime thriller in Moorhead.

Topics discussed in this episode:

• The Coaching Journey: Tyler reflects on his progression from coaching high school ball as a Concordia undergraduate to his roles at Augustana, Lakeland, and Jamestown and a few high school stops before returning to his alma mater.
• Building a Program: Insights into the Cobbers' defensive-first identity, their high team GPA, and the "toughness travels" philosophy.
• The Postseason Bubble: Concordia missed an at-large bid to the NCAA Division III men's basketball tournament, but Tyler discusses the team's standing in the NPI (NCAA Power Index) and what it takes to earn an at-large bid.
• Facility Upgrades: Exciting news regarding the upcoming "facelift" for Memorial Auditorium, including a new floor, updated seating, and audio enhancements.
• Recruiting & the Portal: How the Cobbers navigate geographic challenges and the modern transfer landscape to find the "right fit" for their culture.

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On this episode of Splash City, host Steve Hartman is joined by Jacob Torgerson, head coach of the #1 ranked in Class 2A Morris Area/Chokio-Alberta Tigers.

The Tigers finished the regular season undefeated, but the target is on their back. After a 21-7 campaign in 2024-2025 ended in a tough Section 3AA exit last year to rival Montevideo, Torgerson has this year's group playing with a distinct edge. We dive into the identity of this roster: a balanced, long, and athletic rotation that has become one of the most feared units in Class AA.

We also discuss what it’s like taking over for his dad. Jake's father, Mark Torgerson, retired with 593 wins and a spot in the MBCA Hall of Fame, but he hasn’t left the gym just yet. Torgerson talks about their unique dynamic on the bench, growing up as a "coach’s kid" in Morris, and how he’s managed the massive expectations that come with a #1 ranking.

After a 1st round win against ACGC, we get a look into the mindset of a team that has met challenges near and far.

Topics covered:

• The Transition: Stepping into the shoes of a Hall of Fame father.
• The Redemption Arc: How last year’s Section loss fueled this year’s fire.
• The Roster: Why this specific group of Tigers is so difficult to match up with.
• The Target: Staying grounded while sitting at #1 in the state.

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