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New Prague taps McDonald basketball clan for boys' coach

By Ron Haggstrom, Star Tribune, 05/19/15, 6:03PM CDT

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The New Prague boys’ basketball program turned to the first family of coaching for its next mentor.

The New Prague boys’ basketball program turned to the first family of coaching for its next mentor. The school recently named Bryce Tesdahl, grandson of legendary Chisholm coach Bob McDonald, as its new coach.

Tesdahl, 25, has served as a graduate assistant at the University of Minnesota-Duluth the past three years. He also played in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference at Bemidji State University. Tesdahl holds the school record for career assists with 561.

Tesdahl played high school basketball at Crosby-Ironton. He is the school’s all-time leading scorer with 1,943 career points.

“As soon as I drove into New Prague it felt like home,” Tesdahl said. “It has a similar feel to Crosby-Ironton. It’s a place where I can see myself for a long time.”

McDonald won 1,012 games over a prep career that spanned 59 years. He coached at McGregor and Barnum before taking the Chisholm job before the 1961-62 school year.

Three of McDonald’s sons are coaching boys’ high school programs in the state. They are Mike at Cambridge-Isanti, Tom at Ely and Joel at Hibbing. A fourth son, Paul, is the men’s basketball coach at Vermilion Community College in Ely.

“Our family has been very involved in coaching,” Tesdahl said. “I’m grateful to get this opportunity. It’s going to be a lot of hard work.”

Finishing strong

Eastview’s softball team concluded the regular season on a 13-game winning streak, eight of which came in league play, to earn a share of the South Suburban Conference crown with Rosemount. Both teams finished 10-3.

The Lightning hasn’t lost since starting its season 4-3, all three setbacks by one run. It lost to Rosemount 4-3, Shakopee 2-1 and Prior Lake 5-4.

Eastview (17-3 overall) rallied to edge Shakopee 5-4 in eight innings in its season finale to gain a share of the title. The Sabres finished third in the conference at 9-4.

Rosemount wound up with an overall mark of 13-7.

Top performances

• Lakeville South senior Caraline Slattery and Eagan junior Maddy Gourley each took first place in three individual events in the Class 3A True Team girls’ track meet. Slattery won the 100-meter hurdles in 14.94 seconds, the 300-meter hurdles in 44.07 seconds and the high jump at 5 feet, 4 inches. Gourley won the 100 (12.44), 200 (25.32) and 400 (56.92) dashes.

• Apple Valley junior Jon Koenig shot an even-par 71 to earn boys’ medalist honors at the South Suburban Conference meet at Heritage Links Golf Club in Lakeville.

 

Ron Haggstrom • 612-673-4498

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