Grady Gallagher | Blogger

Happy hump day readers!

Hope everyone’s week is going well. Lots to get to so let’s lock in!

First off, I’d like to say, as I have before, there is no better atmosphere than small town Iowa sub-state basketball games. I know it’s that time of year, but Monday night, I watched one of the most impressive, intense, well-coached, clutch, and exciting girls’ game you’ll ever see. Yes, I’m biased due to the fact that it was my alma mater and my sister played, but when you see a tweet from a Harlan sports reporter saying, “Privileged to be at this game,” you know it’s real. So what’s the scene you ask? 2A Substate final between #14 ranked Woodbury Central (20-3 record) and #9 Treynor (19-3) in Mapleton, Iowa. WC’s first ever state appearance (boys or girls) on the line while Treynor’s veteran coach carries over 600 wins and multiple state appearances on her resume. Nobody said it was gonna be easy. Big plays both ways help the teams balance the game, which was never above an eight point lead for either side. Truly a phenomenal basketball game in which neither team deserved to lose. Countless outbursts from Paul and two overtimes later, Wildcat nation would not be denied. Everyone playing in the game left it on the floor, no doubt about it. Could not be any more proud of the team and my “little” sister, Ellen Gallagher. For as good as I thought she was before the game, Doug McDermott could be my only comparison after. Scoring from block to arc with mid-range and “put it on the deck” ability. Yeah, that good. She never came off the floor. Trying to hold my bias down as much as possible, but she made every right play down the stretch, from passing, to huge rebounds, to leadership, and smiles along the way. History for the cats. They deserve it.

(I can’t wait to watch that tape again!)

What else we got? Oh yeah, don’t forget, next week is the Paul Takeover. Sorry for the confusion last week. Let me be clear, Paul is only taking over the blog for one week (aka he’s only writing one blog). So be sure to tune in next week. I’ll still tweet the link and give it a good scan if you got a minute. Also, if you want to get in on what Paul is going to write about just tweet what you want to see and use “#PG55Takeover” in your tweet. (Side note: I kind of like Paul taking this over for a week, not because it’s going to be an improvement in any way, but it gives me a chance to show off my marketing and promotion skill. Thank you, Buena Vista marketing professors. Seriously, 8-10 people might read next week because of this satisfactory promotion.)

Here’s my weekly “good luck” to the BVU tennis bros this weekend at home. Go tennis!

I’m writing this on Tuesday afternoon so good luck to the Men’s and Women’s basketball teams tonight as they begin the conference tournament. Hopefully tonight’s gonna be a good night!

My last good luck is to the baseball and softball teams as they begin their seasons this weekend. Also, props to them, I couldn’t imagine practicing basketball almost every day outside on a street court and then playing our first game inside on the hardwood. (That’s me trying to make a comparison to practicing baseball and softball indoors, then playing the first game outdoors. How’d I do?) Anyway, good luck guys!

I suppose after the “good lucks” I better take care of the birthday shout outs. Happy birthday to my lil bro AG as he turns….. well, I know he’s a freshman. Happy birthday bro, can’t wait to hit up the links this summer! Keep working on that flop shot, and all other shots you claim you can hit. Also, happy birthday to my suitemate and good friend Drake Ruth, whose 21st birthday is actually today (AG’s was Tuesday). Happy birthday dude!

Alright, I guess that’s it until next week. Personally, I think Paul was going to talk about the substate game he was so hyped about. Sorry if I stole some of your thunder kid. I’m sure you could talk about other things you get hyped about, like Josh Oglesby, Kenny Lofton, or even John Lickliter. You know what I’d like to see from lil P-Geezy? Who wouldn’t read a blog titled, “The adventures of Paul Gallagher- A true underdog story.” That’d be classic, but I’d probably be shunned for letting someone publish an article with my permission that included crude humor, foul language, and violence. Let’s hope he thinks of something good!

Thanks for reading!
Peace