The schedule for defending Class 1A boys basketball state champion Minnesota Transitions has become one long road trip, after a leak at the squad's gym in December left standing water and significant damage on the Wolves' home court.

Following the massive snowstorm in mid-December, water leaked in through the roof and caused water damage to the court, forcing the team to find alternative sites for practices and games.

"We are about like the Vikings were, scrambling for practice sites every day, looking for alternative sites for home games, and playing some of the home games on the road," Transitions coach John Sherman said.

Since the gym has been out of commission, the Wolves have practiced at St. Agnes High School in St. Paul, and Colin Powell Center and Dunwoody Institute in Minneapolis. Sherman said Dunwoody will serve as their new temporary practice site while they wait for their two-year-old gym at Transitions to be repaired. It's not a convenient situation, but the Wolves are still trying to get their work in.

"It has cut practices by about a half-hour because it's 20 minutes over there and 20 minutes back," Sherman said of the commute each day to Dunwoody. "Practices are shorter because we aren't able to monopolize on the boys' days."

Last week, the Wolves (4-2) played in the Best Buy Holiday Classic at Augsburg College, losing their first two games of the season at the hands of No. 1, 4A Hopkins (9-0) and No. 1, 3A St. Paul Johnson (7-1). Despite losing to both state basketball powers, Sherman thought his team competed well and is anxious for a rematch at St. Paul Johnson on February 22.

As for defending their title, the Wolves look like a tough team to beat. Led by 6-6 senior Kyle Noreen (26.7 ppg) and 6-4 senior Rodney Owens (21.8 ppg), Sherman said that defending the title is his team’s main focus.

“Our starting lineup is pretty tall for 1A, so we’re both tall and quick this year,” Sherman said. “We’ve had a good run of players here and they compete well, so [winning state] is always where we start.”