What A Game! Ripon 57 Kewaunee 54

Greetings and good morning. Well if you had a chance to see or listen to the Ripon vs. Kewaunee game on Wednesday you had the chance to hear or see one of the best comebacks I have ever witnessed in my life. The Tigers were down by 20 points late in the third quarter when Dean VanderPlas took a time out. The crowd was quiet but Dean was not, he put a fire under these kids and gave them a "butt chewing" as he called it in the post game. It worked! Big Time. The Tigers went on a 14-1 in the fourth quarter and were able to tie the game 51-51 with a big free throw from Joe Lambert. I have never seen a team fight so hard to come back, but I have never seen a team so dumb as to a go into a four corner stall as Kewaunee did and not take wide open shots. We should send the coach and assistants thank you cards for the work. Great job by the Tigers on the victory. Waupun Omro Winneconne and Oshkosh Lourdes all up next for Ripon. Murderer's Row!

Ripon POG - The Ripon Defense gets my POG

Kewaunee POG - Jake Tess 12 in the first half via the 19'9" line

Best Warm-Up Song - Wow a metal heads dream in Kewaunee on Wednesday its a toss up between Metallica's For Whom The Bell Tolls or Du Hast from Rammstein.

Biggest Hit - Eric Neuman again got drilled in the game by Kewaunee. I have been told that Eric has said he has taken harder hits during the Basketball season than the hits in the Football season. Neumy never gets a charge call either he always is called with the block.

Random Tidbit About Game: Congratulations for garnering my vote for worst officiated game of the season.

Until next time...Rock on!

Biggie \--/

Hoops & Grapplers

Welcome back! Hope Christmas was good for you. I was at the Ripon vs. Denmark game Tuesday night in Ripon in which the Tigers beat the Vikings 68-41 in a non-conference matchup. This Tiger team is playing as a tight group. Everybody loves to get their name in the book but these kids are not selfish. The dimes I have seen throw by Lambert, Neuman, and Gillespie are downright sick. This slash offense is so fun to watch if you are a fan of the back door pass. Right now Ripon is clicking. Scott was quoted in the paper as saying "this was the first game they put it all together and played with a team" I couldn't agree more. The Ripon boys are on a roll right now and they should be ready because you have Waupun, Omro and Winneconne on the schedule soon.

Ripon POG - Scott Gillespie and Joe Lambert 22 and 18 points

Denmark POG - Matt Pribyl 6 points in the 4th quarter was the only excitement I saw

Best Warmup Song - Mo Money Mo Problem you know I am putting a song with Biggie rapping in it on my hit list.

Best Move : Lambert drives the lane switches hands and takes the under basket layup off the right side of the glass. SWEET!

Oshkosh on the Water wrestling tournament is going this week at the Kolf in Oshkosh. This thing is huge 54 teams from all over Wisconsin and surrounding states. It gives the guys a chance to wrestle against some guys they won't see unless they make it to state. Do yourself a favor and if you have some free time go check it out you won't be dissappointed.

Until next time...Rock on!

Biggie

Markesan Ripon & Packers New Punter

Had a chance to call another great game in the ECFC last night as Markesan came to Ripon. Ripon entered the contest with a 2-0 record and Markesan came in at 1-1. I talked yesterday about how some of the guys to watch were gonna be Aaron Baggett and Mike Riek. The Tigers didn't have to worry about Baggett as he was on the bench in street clothes for disciplinary reasons, Mike Riek showed up though in a big way leading Markesan with 17 points. Ripon's Ryan Hill who was in the game early because of foul trouble to Neumy and Hron got a quick lesson on how to guard a dominant player. As Riek took Hill to town a couple of times the Hornets made a run in the second quarter but it wasn't quite enough as Ripon knocked off the Hornets 50-34. Riek is still a man among boys in this conference. He is big, has a sweet shot, can control himself while in the air, and a few more things. Tigers had some good minutes from Gillespie, Lambert, and Nueman. Ripon sitting with a 3-0 record in the ECFC right now is super huge. Up next for Ripon is Denmark & Kewaunee next week

Ripon P.O.G. - Joe Lambert

Markesan P.O.G. - Mike Riek

Best Warm-Up Song: Bon Jovi "Living on a Prayer" just because I have heard "Bring Em Out" by T.I. I like that song but I have heard so many times this season its not even funny.

Super Fan of the Game: Kayla Lukoski The Best Dressed Tiger Fan

DumbAs* Fan of the Game: The Markesan kid in the front row in the blue T-shirt telling the Ripon crowd they were "Number 1" and not with the index finger.

Best Cheer: I will give the first "Boring" cheer from Ripon as my winner today.

Next. The Packers have a new punter as BJ Sanders got his clock cleaned free of charge on Monday night against the Ravens. Ryan Flinn is the new Packers punter for this weekend. Two days ago he was a bartender in Orlando. He flew to Green Bay passed the physical and will be the punter against the Bears in Lambeau Field on Christmas Day. Talk about a dream. However pouring in drinks in O-Town ain't a bad gig either I have been there. Best of luck to the Packers on a win over the Bears I hope you do it but don't see it happening.

Until next time....Rock on and Merry Christmakwanzakkah

Biggie

Badgers, Packers, Tigers & Hornets

Warmest holiday greetings to everyone as we near the big holiday part of the calendar. Couple of things to talk about.

What's up with Badger players getting arrested? Marcus Randle El sends a guy to the hospital after a fight over theft of money, now Booker Stanley gets arrested for battery and choking a woman at his apartment. I know they are kids but grow up boys the playground left you many years ago. I don't know bout you guys but Mama taught me to treat people with respect and be nice to them. Maybe these boys could get some lessons from my Mom.

The Packers are a joke! Al Harris a back up pro bowler and Ryan Longwell is making comments that Harris deserves to be a starter. Ryan are you smoking something have you watched the same season I have. Al Harris is the only man I have ever seen play that position who when he gets beat claps for himself. What are you clapping at Al? The opponent for a nice play or are you busting your own chops for blowing coverage? Maybe more time learning how not to get beat instead of some new clap cadence would be something to work on in the off-season.

Ripon vs. Markesan Thursday night in Ripon is gonna be another "hell of a game" Ripon coming in at 2-0 in the ECFC Markesan at 1-1. Markesan is coming off a win over Green Lake and Ripon that huge win over Berlin. Look for the big two in Markesan to make an impact. Aaron Baggett and Mike Reik. Reik was a man among boys in the ECFC last year and I know he is coming off an injury but the kid is talented. Baggett we have seen this kid a lot over the past few years. I am sure he will have a good game. Ripon's Scott Gillespie I believe may be back in the zone after dropping a double dozen on Berlin. Scott struggled the games before but came to light it up in Berlin. Watch Joe Lambert aka CLUTCH in this one he may play the big role if the Tigers are looking for victory.

That's all I got for this time. My grandma is in the hospital so I am not so sure when the next one is coming but it will be soon. GET WELL GRAMS! Until next time...Rock on!

Biggie

Packers - Girls Hoops & The Colts

Well the Packers take on Baltimore on Monday night in a game that should be about as exciting as watching paint dry. I'm sorry, are you like me in and have said the Packers season was a wash like 6 weeks ago. I'm a big Packer fan don't get me wrong but for the first time in 14 years I didn't watch a game about three weeks ago because I could care less. I have said this all along give me a high school game over a pro game any day. It's not about the money or the glory it's about playing and winning.

Speaking of high school sports. I had the chance to call the Ripon vs. Brown Deer girls game on Saturday afternoon at the friendly confines of the Ripon High School Gymnasium. And Ripon did a number on the Lady Falcons 61-39. Great game for Ripon, now I know BD was coming off a Friday night loss to Pewaukee but this team plays no defense. I saw the JV game and they played no defense, I saw the Varsity game, they played no defense. They like to watch people run down the court and make baskets and that is just what Ripon did. Taylor Wurtz with 19 Erin Lind with 10. Lindsay Berndt has been playing some good ball for the Tigers. I know LB didn't get a whole lot of minutes earlier in the season but she is making up for it now. She fights hard down in the paint and makes the baskets count. LB also gets the award for quickest free throw shooter ever. Usually a player goes through some little ritual 19 bounces on the floor wait...wait....wait, then shoot. Not LB, one bounce and shot. The Tiger girls are a threat to be reckon with, and they face one of their biggest tests coming up on Dec. 27 against Elkhorn. It is gonna be a good one!

The Colts finally lost to the Chargers. Did you honestly think they were gonna win out. Well if you were like me YES. Payton Manning to Marvin Harrison, Edgerrin James, and Tony Dungy could be the newest Four Horseman. Time, Faminie, Pestilence, and Death. Whose who? I'm not sure! The Colts will be Super Bowl Champions.

Until next time.....Rock On!

Biggie

RIpon Berlin One Helluva Game

Well as I said in my previous post I thought Ripon and Berlin was gonna be "one hell of a game" IT WAS. Ripon jumped out to a quick 15 - 12 first quarter lead propelled by Scott Gillespie with 11 in the first. He definately has worked through the shooting slump. Second quarter the Indians outscored Ripon 11-10 but the defense shown by the Ripon Tigers predominantely Ben Lukoski in the last couple minutes was intense. The fight between Ben and Scott Faulk should have ended with Disorderly Conduct tickets and both guys in jail becase it was better than 16 round heavyweight battle. I give huge props to both players Ben for becoming Scott's shadow and for Scott to be able to even move around with that defense. It was sick. Third quarter was momentum for Berlin as some big buckets helped them outscore Ripon 11-8 and that got the crowd in Berlin or Gang Green into the game it was ruthless but that is what high school basketball is all about. Joe Lambert has a new nickname as far as I am concerned its "clutch" because he buried a ton of free throws in the fourth to put the Tigers up and keep them ahead for good with the 50-41 victory. The thing I have noticed in the last few games is Joe isn't afraid to take the ball to the rack. And last but certainly not least is the play of James Hron. Him and Myls scrapped in the paint all night long. James had some huge boards and was able to contain Myls as well as he could containing him to 12 points. Overall it was one of the most exciting games I have called in a long time, it was similar to the intensity of the regional final against Berlin in Neenah a few years ago. Time for the awards presentation

Ripon P.O.G. - Gillespie, Lambert, Hron (I can't pick one)

Berlin P.O.G. - Scott Faulk excellent game this kid is a gamer

Best Pep Band Song - Pinball Wizard keep on rocking with The Who

Best Fan Cheer - "Start Your Tractors" the Ripon Tiger fans.

Until next time...Rock on!

Biggie

AM 1600 WRPN Sports Blog

Greetings and Welcome to the Blog for AM 1600 WRPN Sports. We will spend our time talking here about things we don't usually have enough time to get to on the air. If you would like to be a guest blogger for us on here by all means send me an email at Jason@wrpnam.com Thanks again for stopping by. Here we go.

GIRLS BASKETBALL - Congrats to the Ripon Tigers girls coming off a big win over Markesan on Thursday night. The Tigers threw in a 2-3 zone against the Lady Hornets and held Markesan to just 5 points in the third quarter. Markesan made something like 4 field goals the entire second. When I talked to Bill Peters in the post -game he made the comment that thanks to Sam Bickert's 24 points via the 3 point arc last week against Berlin it made them come out defensively and give up the lane just a little bit. Erin Lind had a huge game as did Taylor Wurtz. Another great game performance came from Lindsay Berndt. "LB" got some quality minutes and dropped 7 points for Tigers. The Ripon girls are a great team and now with a 3-0 lead in the conference standings its gearing up for a great year. Also quick props to Ripon resident Terry Boe and Oshkosh Wildcats Girls Basketball coach on a big win over Oshkosh North. Coach Boe has a tough task replacing coach Schumacher who is now at UWO, but knowing Terry I am sure the Wildcats will be just fine.

BOYS BASKETBALL - Tough loss to the Cougars of Campbellsport on Tuesday night. One thing for sure there are no patsy teams in the non-conference schedule for the Tigers. The thing I have noticed in the last two games that the Tigers are struggling to make baskets. A lot of cold shooting to work through but Coach VanderPlas will make sure they work on that I am sure. Issac is out with a knee injury, that kid can't buy a break. Hurt in the early season of football, tweaks his knee in the state game, then it gets sat on in Clintonville. Issac should be back in the next couple of weeks, lets keep our fingers crossed. The Ripon Berlin game is shaping up as one hell of a game. I am sure the gym will be packed.

Till next time...Rock on!

Biggie