B-B-E sports teams fundraisers at BVD

*Reprinted from page 11 of this week's Bonanza Valley Voice:

Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa Dazzlers dance team head coach Kim Kulzer is excited for the upcoming Bonanza Valley Days weekend. Her Dazzlers have two fundraisers on Friday and Saturday. 

Kulzer said, “We are doing concessions at the fifth and sixth grade baseball tournament in Belgrade on Friiday. This will be from about 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. We will be selling hot dogs, pizza, chips Pop and candy! Fans won’t have to leave the baseball tourney to get food! We’re excitedf for the dunk tank on Saturday on Main Street in Brooten from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.! And then of course we will be dancing in the parade on Sunday July 12th!! Busy weekend! But hopefully we can raise a lot of money!”

Also on Saturday, the B-B-E Jaguars girls’ tennis team will have a bake sale at the car show in downtown Brooten (8 a.m. to 12 p.m.). They will be set up in front of the Bonanza Valley Voice newspaper office.

*Note: the BVD youth baseball tournament will have nine teams in each division (3rd-4th grade and 5th-6th grade); to accommodate the teams, all 3rd-4th grade games are in Brooten and all 5th-6th grade games are in Belgrade. It will be a busy day for sure!

Speaking of Bonanza Valley Days...the T-shirts are selling out FAST! Check out information below on how to get your hands on one before they're all gone:

(Hi Def Video) B-B-E Dazzlers high kick, jazz squads

Here's the B-B-E Dazzlers varsity high kick team lighting up the gymnasium on Monday at their home invitational:


And here's the Dazzlers varsity jazz team:


I haven't uploaded the Dazzlers JV team's performance but hope to do so later today.

This week's Bonanza Valley Voice has four color dance photos plus a color team photo of the JV jazz team with their runner-up trophy from Monday night. If you haven't signed up for the newspaper please do so this week while the "15-month" subscription special is running! Paying for a regular 12-month subscription ($18 for Swift, Kandiyohi, Stearns and Pope county residents and $20 for all others) gets you a 15-month subscription or a 15-month extension if you are a current subscriber. This is a huge special you can take advantage of, basically giving three free months to the newspaper.

Bonanza Valley Voice
PO Box 250
Brooten, MN 56316

Terrific home meet!

Here's video from the awards ceremony tonight at the B-B-E Dazzlers dance team's home invitational:


Don't miss this week's Bonanza Valley Voice for a full spread of color photos on page eight from tonight's dance meet.

At Minnewaska Area, the B-B-E Jaguars boys' basketball team lost 71-57. At halftime, the Lakers (6-4) held a 30-22 lead on a night when they won their fourth straight game. Next for the Jaguars (3-7) is a home game on Thursday against state-ranked and undefeated Eden Valley-Watkins. The Eagles are rated fourth in the latest Class 2A state poll and have an 11-0 overall record. This is their best season at this point since 2007-2008.

*Two business sponsors tonight: Glacial Ridge Health System in Glenwood and Big A Auto Parts in Brooten.

Glacial Ridge Health System is seeking a responsible and self-motivated full-time Occupational Therapist for inpatient and outpatient services. Please click below if interested or share if you know someone who may be. http://www.glacialridge.org/career/occupational-therapist

Feature article on the Dazzlers

Sign up for the Bonanza Valley Voice and catch all the coverage of B-B-E student-athletes!

Have you subscribed yet to the Bonanza Valley Voice? If not, take a moment this week to sign up and get all kinds of in-depth coverage of extra-curricular activities taking place at B-B-E. Last week the January 1 issue featured an exclusive article on the B-B-E Dazzlers dance team.

The Dazzlers host a 10-team invitational at 6:30 p.m. on Monday this week at the elementary school.'

Subscribing is pretty straightforward. Right now you can get a 15-month subscription (or a 15-month extension if you're a current subscriber) by paying for the regular 12-month price of $18 if you live in Pope, Swift, Kandiyohi or Stearns counties. It's $20 a year for anywhere else.

Checks payable to: Bonanza Valley Voice

Mailed to: 

PO Box 250

Brooten, MN 56316

This is one small way you can help expand coverage for the Jaguars, Dazzlers and all other B-B-E activities taking place each week. I want to add 200 subscribers to the newspaper in 2015!!! In this coming issue, subscribers can learn all about the B-B-E speech team as their 2015 season is underway. Summertime brings more coverage of youth activities and sports as well as Elrosa Saints and Stearns County League baseball coverage. It's hard to imagine summer weather and summer baseball with the temperature plunging below -10 degrees tonight. BRRRR.

Oh, by the way, don't miss out on the Bonanza Valley Voice online photo gallery. Over the past couple of days I've added 10 photo albums to the sports section from sporting events that took place in December.
http://bonanzavalley.smugmug.com/BBE-Jaguar-winter-sports-1415

Or simply bookmark this website URL:

http://bonanzavalley.smugmug.com

This B-B-E Dazzlers update was sponsored by the Belgrade Hardware Hank store:

Scheduling change

The home dance invitational next Monday will start at 6:30 p.m.!! Make note!

The B-B-E Dazzlers dance team will host a 10-team meet that night at the elementary school.

**And here's some great entertainment for Saturday night: "Kentucky Thunder" will be playing from 8 p.m. to midnight at Rooney's Bar in Sedan. No cover charge, and no one under age 21.

Out of steam

An excellent start by the B-B-E Jaguars at Sauk Centre faded right before halftime tonight in non-conference boys' basketball action. Final: Mainstreeters 79, Jaguars 57. The Jaguars led 27-26 with a little over four minutes left before halftime before Sauk Centre opened up a 43-31 lead at the break. Earlier in the half, the Jaguars had a 22-17 lead with 6:30 to go.

Next for the Jaguars (2-5) is the Willmar holiday tournament on Friday with a 6 p.m. tip off against BOLD.

JV Jazz team members (not the whole JV team)...a full picture of the JV Jazz Dazzlers will be in the Christmas issue of the Bonanza Valley Voice.

At the A-C-GC Invitational tonight, the B-B-E Dazzlers JV Jazz dance team took first place. Very cool! Look for a feature story on the B-B-E Dazzlers dance team in the Jan. 1, 2015 issue of the Bonanza Valley Voice. Also, mark your calendars for their Monday, January 5 home dance invitational at the elementary school (7 p.m.). It includes 12 teams overall!!! How cool is that!

More coming later.

Dazzlers debut new squad

Video from halftime at last night's basketball game featuring the Dazzlers Jazz Funk squad:


What a terrific first-night performance for the B-B-E Dazzlers dance team! The team has never performed this early in their season in the history of the program. They are working hard to prepare for a quadrangular in Fergus Falls this week Thursday.

It is also exciting to note that at halftime of the JV basketball game, the Dazzlers JV Jazz squad also gave their debut performance for the public.

Head coach Kim Kulzer shared these comments about the team, "We are off to a great start this season. We have 15 girls on the team this year which is really exciting! We have a lot of new and younger girls, so it is going to help grow our program. The girls are enthusiastic about the season and ready to begin competing!"

After the Fergus Falls competition, the Dazzlers gear up for the Albany Invitational on Saturday, December 13.

Radio coverage tonight

The radio crew at the Train providing post-game analysis in Morris on March 13, 2012 after the Jaguars beat Battle Lake on their way to the section finals and then the state tournament.

I am excited to announce that 106.5 FM The Train will be making tracks to cover the B-B-E Jaguars boys' basketball game tonight when they host Upsala for the season opener. The Train will also announce score updates at halftime and after the game for the B-B-E Jaguars girls' basketball team's season-opening game at Upsala.

It gets better!

Not only is the B-B-E Pep Band performing, but the B-B-E Dazzlers dance team will have JV and varsity squads performing at halftime of the JV and varsity games, respectively.

Here's a short clip from basketball practice held very early on Saturday morning prior to the men's alumni basketball tournament. The Jaguars looked sharp considering the time of the day!

See you tonight!

Dazzlers high kick is runner-up tonight!

The B-B-E Dazzlers high kick varsity squad is shown in action tonight. Click on the photo for a fullsize view.

In a field of five teams at their home competition tonight, the B-B-E Dazzlers dance team high kick squad earned second place in front of a large crowd of loyal fans.

In the varsity high kick competition, MACCRAY took first place, while Worthington finished third.

The JV Dazzlers and the varsity jazz squad also performed.

Here's a glimpse of the Dazzlers Jazz squad tonight.

Here's video from the awards ceremony:


Up next for the Dazzlers: the Section 3A meet on Saturday in Montevideo. Tonight's performance and achievement will give the team a nice boost heading into the postseason. If you were unable to make it to tonight's dance competition, you'll have one other chance to see the Dazzlers. They will perform at halftime this Thursday night at the boys' basketball game against Eden Valley-Watkins.

4-day week meetings

For? Against? Unsure?

Here's a few chances you can give feedback to the B-B-E school administration regarding a possible application to the Minnesota Department of Education that could extend our use of a 4-day model for another three years.

Currently, B-B-E is in the third year of utilizing what is called by MDE a "Flexible Learning Year program".

Here's the upcoming community/public meetings:

• Wednesday, February 5 at 7:00pm at the high school

• Monday, February 10 at 7:00pm at the elementary school

• Wednesday, February 12 at 7:00pm at the high school

A special meeting of the B-B-E school board is scheduled for Tuesday, February 18 at 7:30pm at the high school to make a final decision on re-applying for the 4-day model.

I honestly haven't heard any level of push or chatter around the community to revert back to the 5-day model. That doesn't mean we will for sure stay with the 4-day model, as the school board will make that final decision. I'd guess around a dozen individuals around B-B-E have asked me what the status of this is in the last 2-3 weeks. Now you've all got an answer.

It's possible that B-B-E could re-apply for a three-year extension with MDE denying it. I'd be truly shocked and visibly upset if they tried overruling our local decision-making on the issue.

**By the way!! Don't miss out on these two upcoming events:
The B-B-E Dazzlers host an exciting 9-team dance competition tonight, Monday, starting at 7:00pm at the elementary school.

The B-B-E Robotics team hosts their 2nd annual Fish Fry and Silent Auction fundraiser tomorrow, Tuesday, February 4 from 5:00 to 8:00pm at the Belgrade V.F.W.

Below is a recent list of items on the silent auction:
Chanhassen Dinner Theater - Dinner and Show for two

Grand Casino, Mille Lacs - Hotel & Buffet for two

Prairie Edge Casino, Granite Falls - Hotel &$25 food certificate

Seven Klans Casino, Thief River Falls - Hotel & 6 Waterpark passes

Shooting Star Casino, Mahnomen - Jacket

Tennessee Roadhouse - $10 gift certificate

Waterpark of America - 2 all day general admission tickets

Minnesota Twins - Tony Oliva signed Jaeger Print #2

Mikki's - $25 car wash certificate

To Be Determined - one month gym membership & t-shirt

Central Minnesota Credit Union - camping package

A robot-themed blanket

Thank you in advance for your support of the many fine programs we offer at B-B-E!

(Video) Dazzlers Jazz squad

Here's the latter part of the halftime performance given by the B-B-E Dazzlers varsity Jazz squad at Thursday night's boys' basketball game against Holdingford:


Don't forget to come out Monday night to the home dance competition at the elementary school. It all begins at 7:00pm. Coach Kim Kulzer managed to put together a great lineup of teams for the rescheduled meet. Originally, it was to be held on January 6 at the high school but was postponed due to weather.

Teams joining the Dazzlers on Monday include Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City, Albany, Alexandria, Lakeview, Melrose Area, Paynesville Area, Rockford Area and Yellow Medicine East.

Dazzlers host on Monday, Robotics fish fry is Tuesday

An exciting dance invitational is coming Monday night (February 3) when the B-B-E Dazzlers dance team holds their lone home competition at the elementary school.

Action begins after the National Anthem is performed at 7:00.

A day later the B-B-E Robotics team hosts their 2nd annual Fish Fry and Silent Auction fundraiser at the Belgrade VFW.

These two events pretty much steal the show for the first half of next week. I hope many of you can make it out to both and support these extremely valuable programs at our school. B-B-E is the smallest school in our area to have both a varsity dance team as well as robotics. It's a big feather in our hat, but their success depends heavily on support from the community.

Random sports notes

The B-B-E Dazzlers dance team's season is nearing a close. Their next action is on Friday, January 31 with a dance competition at Lakeview high school in Cottonwood.

The 7th grade girls' basketball Jaguars defeated Minnewaska Area on Thursday in Glenwood and then traveled to Paynesville Area on Friday and beat the Bulldogs. Their next action is at home on Thursday against Sauk Centre starting at 4:30pm at the high school.

The JV/varsity girls' basketball Jaguars take to the road for their next three games: Tuesday at Sauk Centre and Thursday at Rockford Area, then the following Monday (Feb. 3) at Maple Lake. Their next home game is on Friday, February 7 against state-ranked Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted.

The youth wrestling Jaguars competed at K-M-S on Saturday. I haven't heard how they fared.

(Video) Dazzlers at Melrose

From last night's Melrose competition. Video courtesy of Herman Lensing, Melrose Beacon


The B-B-E Dazzlers dance team's next competition is on Saturday at Yellow Medicine East.

Dazzlers JV Jazz takes first

Great job, Dazzlers!

At the A-C-GC competition last night, the B-B-E Dazzlers JV Jazz team took first place with a trophy for the high school trophy case. Bravo! MACCRAY's JV dance team was runner-up. Up next for the Dazzlers is the Rocori competition on Saturday at noon. They are at Melrose Area next Monday night at 7:00pm.

By the way, the home dance meet that was to be last Monday is rescheduled for February 3. It's shaping up to be a 9-team meet, which is fantastic and would be the largest-ever home dance meet held at B-B-E in our school's history. Paynesville Area and Melrose Area are on the list of teams invited.

Sheets and sheets of ice

The roads are completely covered in ice.

The Dazzlers dance team competes at the Alexandria competition today, with Class A jazz starting at 2:00pm. The schedule is changed up for each division because a handful of teams could not make it.

A learning experience

It was a learning experience when the Jaguars boys' basketball team tangled with Apple Valley on Saturday night at SCSU. Between that game and the Sartell-St. Stephen game, the Jaguars faced opponents who were bigger and stronger than they were for the first time in years. I suppose I could go back to the Springfield game when we battled with their Division-I lineman in the paint.

With all the shots that rimmed out during the first half, had even half of them gone down, the Jaguars easily could've gone into halftime down by 10 or 12 points instead of 22.

Coming up in Jaguar Country: multiple road games for the boys' and girls' basketball teams, beginning Thursday when the boys travel to .500 Paynesville for a border battle and the girls head up to winless Ashby.

The Jaguars wrestling team hosts an 8-team invitational on Friday starting at 2:30pm. Don't forget to circle your calendars for the B-B-E Dazzlers dance team invitational with 9 teams next Monday, January 7 starting at 7:00pm at the high school. It's a robust event that includes A-C-GC, Albany, Alexandria, Lakeview, Melrose Area, Paynesville Area, Rockford Area and Yellow Medicine East. That makes it the biggest dance team invitational that B-B-E has ever hosted.

What a night! Girls' basketball Jaguars are 3-0

Katelyn Heinze and Amanda Kollman shown in action during the first half of the JV game.

For the first time since the 1996-97 season, the Jaguars girls' basketball team has started 3-0. They got their third straight win to start the 2013-14 season by a 46-41 score over Paynesville Area. With 5 minutes left in the first half, the Jaguars led 21-11. By the middle of the second half, the lead was just 33-29. It was quite a win for the Jaguars, since it's always exciting to pick up wins against neighboring towns.

Paynesville's stand out junior guard Kayla Schaefer had 25 points in the game, but the rest of her team came up with just 16 points.

Up next: a tough road trip to Holdingford on Friday night, where they'll tussle with the 3-0 Huskers in the Central Minnesota Conference opener. The three wins that Holdingford has are against teams with a combined 2-9 record. (To compare, B-B-E's opponent cumulative record is 5-9, although it's hard to paint any type of picture out of that with Paynesville being 2 of the 3 opponents.) Last season, the Jaguars and Huskers split the CMC series.

It's also exciting to report that the JV girls' basketball Jaguars also won over Paynesville. Their final score was 40-29, which is remarkable considering they trailed 18-14 at halftime! At the 11:27 mark in the second half, the Jaguars tied it at 22-22 when Sarah Schmitz got an assist with a pass to Kendall Kampsen, who drained a fast break lay up. When I had to leave with about 9 minutes left in the second half, the Jaguars were up 24-22 for a brief spell before the Bulldogs hit a three-pointer for a 25-24 lead. Over the last 8 minutes of the second half in the JV game, the Jaguars held the Bulldogs to just four points! Coach Thieschafer was extremely pleased with her team's defensive performance down the stretch.

Aly Riggs and Megan Carroll are shown above during the JV Dazzlers high kick show tonight.

At halftime of both basketball games, the B-B-E Dazzlers dance team's high kick JV and varsity squads performed for a very good hometown crowd. They are tuning up for the 2013-14 season opener this Saturday at the Albany Invitational. It's a big dance meet that includes a total of 15 teams from A-C-GC, Aitkin, Alexandria, St. Cloud Apollo, Becker, Duluth Marshall, Melrose Area, Monticello, Paynesville Area, Pelican Rapids, Pierz, Rocori and St. Cloud Cathedral.

Here's the Sauk Centre Herald photo album from JV action that I shot before I had to leave:
http://saukherald.smugmug.com/201314-winter-sports/BBE-JV-girls-basketball-and-Da

By the way, the Train will be in Howard Lake tomorrow night for the BIG boys' basketball game coming up.

Area girls' basketball scores on December 12:
Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg 56, Yellow Medicine East 55 OT 
Dassel-Cokato 69, Kimball Area 26
Delano 75, Rockford Area 31
Albany 66, Mora 30

Area boys' basketball scores on December 12:
Sauk Centre 64, Morris Area/Chokio-Alberta 61
Wheaton/Herman-Norcross 56, Ortonville 55
Montevideo 65, Benson 52
MACCRAY 58, CMCS 43
Litchfield 61, ACGC 45
LP-GE 42, St. John's Prep 40
West Central Area 67, Browerville 58 (Browerville was 3-0, now both teams are 3-1)
Minnewaska Area 63, Melrose Area 55
Upsala 85, Sebeka 34
Maple Lake 59, Holdingford 47 (CMC game in Maple Lake)

Dazzlers dance team preseason starts Monday

The Dazzlers dance team Jazz Funk squad is shown in Alexandria (January 2011 file photo).

The Dazzlers dance team High Kick squad is shown performing at halftime (December 2011 file photo).

The eighth season is about to begin for the B-B-E Dazzlers Dance Team with the first preseason meeting and practice coming on Monday at the high school auditorium from 1:45pm to 5:15pm. I don't believe that the 2013-14 regular season schedule has been finalized yet, but they generally have one meet in December and then get into the swing of things in January with one or two meets per week. They also perform numerous times at halftime of home boys' and girls' basketball teams, and for the last few seasons they also host a meet at the high school in January.

Team captains for the 2013-14 season are Lexi Amundson and Taylor Gregory.

One very awesome change for the team is the move to a new postseason section. Last year and in other years, the Dazzlers dance team competed in Section 4A. Last year the Section 4A meet was held in Hawley (that's a haul!). For the 2013-14 season, the Dazzlers are in Section 3A for the playoffs and will compete instead at Montevideo High School on February 8, 2014. At some point in the future I will review what teams/schools are in Section 3A.

B-B-E Dazzlers dance team sponsors dunk tank at Bonanza Valley Days

Shown is Brooten native Jeff Wosmek, father of four Jaguar athletes, spending time in the dunk tank on Saturday afternoon on main street...