The endless bummer of 2020 continues to haunt Caledonia.
Just a day after the Warriors beat Stewartville for the Class 2A, Section 1 championship a year ago, state officials put an end to the Minnesota high school sports season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, denying Caledonia a state tournament opportunity. In November, after a 3-0 start extended the school's football team's winning streak to 71 games, Caledonia called off the remainder of its season before prep sports were once again shuttered.
And on the second day of basketball practice early in January, Caledonia coach Brad King learned that his son, junior all-state guard Eli King, had a torn meniscus in his right knee and would miss the 2021 basketball season.
And the hits just keep coming.
But Eli King or no Eli King, Caledonia still wears the crown and Stewartville coach Adam Girtman said he expects his No. 4-2A Tigers will face an intense and talented team in Friday's rematch of last March's section final.
"They're still pretty darn tough," Girtman said. "Everybody there is well-seasoned. ... They will play the same style, a hard-nosed man defense, long-ranged wings and a trapping full-court pressure. It will be a good test for us."
The difference this time is the Tigers' Will Tschetter, a 6-8 senior committed to Michigan, will unquestionably be the best player on the court.
Tschetter, who averaged 33.6 points a game a year ago, is averaging 34.4 points and 9.6 rebounds in the Tigers' 5-0 start this winter. Senior Nolan Stier, a 6-2 guard, chips in with 10.2 points and three assists a game.
"Will's going to go get his, and then it's a different kid every night who steps up," Girtman said.
Seniors Sam Privet and Austin Klug and a strong junior class keep Caledonia (4-1) among the section's most dangerous teams. Ja'Shon Simpson and Jackson Koepke, a pair of 6-3 guards, and Thane Meiners and Austin Meyer will get their chances to fill the void left by King.
The No. 3-2A Warriors showed their competitiveness in their only loss this season, a 51-43 decision on Jan. 22 to Onalaska, the top-ranked team in Wisconsin's Division 2.
The biggest disappointment in this section championship rematch, Brad King said, is that Stewartville parents, students and fans will not be allowed in the building. It's a game, he said, that deserves the full regalia of a primetime contest.