The Hoofprint – March 27, 2007

2/06 Bison fall to Monticello in Conferance championship

3/06 Team ends season with loss in fi rst round of sections

12/06 Bison open 06-07 sea- son with 61-56 victory over Orono

1/07 Team begins 18 game win streak topping Big Lake

2/07 Bison go 14-0 in M8, take Conference title

3/15/07 Buffalo upends Apollo for Section 8 Title

3/22/07 Bison beat Lakeville South to reach the State Final

3/24/07 Buffalo wins Class 4A State Championship

“Earn something, Earn something men,” is what Coach Nick Guida has said all year to the Boy’s Basketball team. Last Saturday, the team earned the State Championship in Class 4A, after waiting 76 years to return to the state tournament.

Throughout this season and the seasons before, Senior Captains Karl Olson, Josh Ortmann, and Darrin Olmscheid, built off each other’s talents by working together as a team and accomplishing one of their biggest goals…winning state.

“We all have our talents and have played together for so long it’s hard not to know what we’re doing,” said Olson.

The key to the team’s success was the coaches’ and players’ patience dedication and determination.

“It is important to have coaches that are always looking out for your best interest and pushing you to play like they know we can,” said Olmscheid

“Guida has always been a players coach,” said Ortmann “He really treats us like his own kids.”

Captains are known for having more responsibilities. As veteran players, the team success relies on their knowledge, coaches’ expectations, and their skills of the game.

“Being a captain can be tough and frustrating because you know that it’s your last year to prove and show yourself,” said Olson.

From Darrin’s injury early in the season to Josh’s at the State Tournament, and Karl’s 1000th career point, they played as a team from the beginning to the end with the motto…TOGETHER.