Nonconference tests are key

For all the wins Eleva-Strum reeled off en route to the Division 4 state tournament last season, none taught the Cardinals as much as one home nonconference loss to Eau Claire Regis did. The Ramblers’ defense exposed a lot of glaring offensive deficiencies.

“Last year’s loss probably was the reason why we got back to state,” Cardinals senior Lance Rongstad said. “We learned so much about our team that we weren’t doing well.”

This season Eleva-Strum went to Regis and picked up a win in a very entertaining game between two teams with a lot of talent. This time around the Cardinals are hoping that some positive reinforcement can give them a boost.

“Last year we turned it into a positive loss when we played down at our place,” Eleva-Strum coach Rich Roginski said. “This year I’m hoping it’s a positive win and it will keep propelling us like the loss did last year.”

The annual meetings between Eleva-Strum and Regis have turned into a great barometer for both teams and a great friendly rivalry for the area. Both teams have tremendous coaches and great winning traditions. Playing each other only makes them better. It’s probably no coincidence that both finished their seasons at the state tournament last year.

“I think by design we’ve always played Eleva,” Regis coach Bill Uelmen said. “Fortunately, they’ve always had very good teams there. Historically, the past five years since I’ve been back and playing them, they’ve always been very good games. It’s got to help us and it’s got to help them. They probably haven’t seen a lot of zones and that’s what we played. They can probably take something away from this game. I’m hoping our kids can take something away other than the loss.”

Two more teams that may look back on a big nonconference test come March are New Richmond and Eau Claire North. Both schools have a good chance of making some postseason noise in their respective divisions – the Huskies in D1 and the Tigers in D2 – and last week’s meeting gave them an excellent chance to see where they stand. Though New Richmond came away with a one-point win, the game was an excellent learning experience for both teams.

“I likened this game to a playoff game,” New Richmond coach Rick Montreal said. “These are the kind of games you’re going to see in March. The level of competition being real substantial, and the intensity and atmosphere I thought we were going to see tonight. New Richmond brought a great amount of people down to support us. It was such a great venue. It prepares you for the games down the road. That’s what I hope we got out of this.”

Not only do games like those two make both teams better, they’re great for basketball in the area. Anyone who came to watch either game saw a lot of talent on display and was treated to an entertaining game. So big kudos to all four schools for scheduling those kind of nonconference games. More schools should follow suit. How about a two-day event where North and Memorial would play Altoona and Regis at Zorn Arena?

- Joe Ziemer