By John Rittenhouse
Hills-Beaver Creek experienced a successful start to the girls' basketball season by downing Edgerton 60-42 in Hills Friday.

Three Patriots reached double figures in scoring for an H-BC team that outscored the Flying Dutchmen in every quarter.

The game served as the Red Rock Conference Western Division opener for both teams, who were longtime members of the Tri-County Conference.

"It was a very good first game for us," said Patriot coach Tom Goehle. "I think we were aggressive on both the offensive and defensive ends of the court, and the result was getting a lot of opportunities for us."

H-BC opened a 16-9 lead in the first quarter before outscoring Edgerton 14-9 in the second period to make it a 30-12 game at the intermission.

The Patriots increased their lead to 16 points (44-28) by the end of the first quarter and ended up winning the game by 18.

Becky Broesder scored nine points in the second half and led the Patriots with 15 points and six steals.

Cassi Tilstra passed for seven assists while scoring 12 points. Jody Rentschler recorded a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Brittney Olson registered five steals.

The 1-0 Patriots play Southwest Christian in Edgerton tonight before hosting Central Lyon and Murray County Central Saturday and Tuesday respectively.

Box score
B.Rozeboom 2 0 1-4 5, B.Olson 1 0 0-0 2, Feucht 0 0 0-1 0, Rentschler 4 0 2-4 10, Tilstra 6 0 0-0 12, Broesder 6 0 3-5 15, S.Rozeboom 2 0 0-2 4, DeNoble 2 0 1-2 5, Boeve 3 0 1-2 7, A.Olson 0 0 0-0 0.

Team statistics
H-BC: 26 of 58 field goals (45 percent), eight of 20 free throws (40 percent), 43 rebounds, 19 turnovers.

Edgerton 13 of 61 field goals (21 percent), 15 of 27 free throws (56 percent), 44 rebounds, 28 turnovers.

By John Rittenhouse
Hills-Beaver Creek High School athletes wrestled a total of five matches at the Deuel Tournament in Clear Lake, S.D., Saturday.

Dusty Seachris and Kerry Fink, H-BC members of the Luverne-H-BC-Ellsworth wrestling squad, posted a combined 3-2 record during the six-team event.

L-H-BC-E went 1-2 overall to place fifth in the team competition.

Sisseton and Milbank's junior varsity team handed the Cardinals 48-27 and 48-32 setbacks in the first two rounds of the event.

L-H-BC-E bounced back to best Clark 46-33 in the match for fifth and sixth place.

Seachris had a 2-1 day while wrestling at 130 and 135.

Seachris pinned Sisseton's Ben Pallesen in 1:13 and stuck Milbank's Kevin Angerhofer in 1:44 during his matches at 130 pounds.

Clark's Tyler Tarbox pinned Seachris in 5:47 at 135.

Fink recorded a 1-1 record at 112 and 119.

Fink was pinned by MilbankÕs Kevin Angerhofer at 1:44 before winning by forfeit against Clark.
L-H-BC-E had a 2-6-1 overall record at tournament's end.

The Cardinals host Worthington for a Southwest Conference clash in Luverne tonight.

By John Rittenhouse
The Hills-Beaver Creek girls' basketball team ran its Red Rock Conference record to 5-3 with a 41-38 win over Mountain Lake-Butterfield-Odin in Butterfield Friday.

In what Patriot coach Tom Goehle said was a physical game, H-BC was able to use its athletic ability to overcome a seven-point halftime deficit to win the game by three points.

"Our quickness and our ability to create some offense from our defensive pressure in the second half was the difference," Goehle said.

The Patriots trailed 9-8 and 25-18 at the first two quarter breaks before turning things around in the second half.

H-BC outscored the Wolverines 12-4 in the third quarter to gain a 30-29 advantage.

Although they struggled by missing eight of 11 free throws in the fourth quarter, the Patriots never lost the lead in a fourth quarter that ended with H-BC post Erin Boeve blocking a three-point shot attempt by ML-B-O in the final seconds.

Boeve, who sat on the bench a good share of the game because of foul trouble, scored 10 points for the winners.

Cassi Tilstra scored 13 points, came up with five steals and passed for four assists for H-BC. Becky Broesder led the winners with nine rebounds and six steals.

The 6-5 Patriots host Comfrey and West Lyon tonight and Saturday before playing in Round Lake Tuesday.

Box score
B.Rozeboom 1 0 0-0 2, B.Olson 1 0 0-0 2, Feucht 0 0 0-0 0, Rentschler 1 0 0-0 2, Tilstra 6 0 1-5 13, Broesder 4 0 0-1 8, S.Rozeboom 1 0 1-2 3, DeNoble 0 0 1-3 1, Boeve 4 0 2-6 10, A.Olson 0 0 0-0 0.

Team statistics
H-BC: 18 of 54 field goals (33 percent), five of 17 free throws (29 percent), 33 rebounds, 11 turnovers.
ML-B-O: 14 of 41 field goals (34 percent), 10 of 16 free throws (63 percent), 44 rebounds, 26 turnovers.

By Jolene Farley
It was an evening of firsts at the Hills-Beaver Creek School Board meeting Monday. It was the first meeting for new board members Tim Baker and Matt Larson and the first meeting for Superintendent Dave Deragisch since his return to H-BC.

"When I graduated in 1979 I had no thoughts of ever being back," said Deragisch. "It's an awesome school with a lot of teamwork and cooperation. ItÕs the kind of school I want to work at."

Deragisch quickly dove into business at hand by informing the School Board he had adjusted the class lengths to 48 minutes per period and he had worked up a schedule for all classes to meet if school started late because of bad weather.

The meeting continued with the election of School Board officers for the 2002-2003 school year. Al Harnack was elected chairperson; Gary Esselink, vice-chair; Ann Boeve, clerk; and Lloyd DeBoer, treasurer.

Committee assignments were:
Gary Esselink, Alan Harnack and Ann Boeve for the Personnel, Negotiations, and Budget Committee;
Lloyd DeBoer, Ann Boeve, Matt Larson for the Building and Grounds Committee;
Gary Esselink, Tim Baker and Lois Leuthold for the Transportation Committee;
Alan Harnack and Tim Baker for the Minnesota State High School League;
Lois Leuthold, Gary Esselink and Matt Larson for the Policy Committee;
Ann Boeve, Lois Leuthold and Alan Harnack for the Curriculum Committee;
Lloyd DeBoer and Matt Larson for the Safety Committee;
Ann Boeve for the Grad Standards, Staff Development and Continuing Education Committee;
Lois Leuthold for the Community Club;
Tim Baker for the Gifted and Talented Committee; Gary Esselink for the Legislation Committee;
Ann Boeve and Matt Larson for the Teachers, Administration and Board Committee;
Lloyd DeBoer for the Drug Education Committee; and
Lois Leuthold for the Community Education and ECFE Committee.

In other board business:
Deragisch advised the board he approached Cunningham Communications, Pipestone, for a bid on a communication system (PA, telephone, computer and TV) for the high school.

"For health and safety reasons we need an intercom in our school," said Deragisch.

"If we had an emergency it would be nice to be able to contact all the rooms at one time," said Chairman Alan Harnack.

The district could be reimbursed for the cost of the system by e-rate but would likely not receive the reimbursement until the 2003-04 school year.

The board discussed a wiring problem in the elementary computer lab. For more than a year, some outlets haven't worked at all and some outlets have worked sporadically.

Students and teachers shied away from using computers plugged into the outlets because they didn't want to be in the middle of a project and lose their work if the terminal shut down.

The ParentLink phone system also has been working only sporadically for more than a year. ParentLink allows parents to call in for automated information concerning student absences, homework assignments or to leave a message with teachers.

The board questioned if the electronic difficulties at the elementary school could be attributed to lightning strikes on the building. Superintendent Deragisch will continue to investigate the matter.

Newly-elected chairman Harnack advised new board members Larson and Baker to "call ahead of time (about concerns, questions or issues) so we don't have any surprises at the School Board meetings."

oDeragisch stressed the importance of the districtÕs participation in the Rock County Collaborative.

"There is money out there that could be tapped into that we've been missing out on," he said.

Deragisch said he would continue to meet with the Collaborative to utilize any funds available.

"I will take any help, programs and options for our elementary students," said Deragisch. "I am willing to put the time in ..."

The board congratulated Gregg Ebert and his students on the stained glass bench project which raised $1,500 for area fire departments. The bench will eventually be displayed at the Tuff Village, according to Deragisch.

Deragisch recommended bleacher railings be installed on the end of the bleachers at H-BC High School. The railings would bring the bleachers up to current state code.

"We need something we can put in place to keep the students and people from falling off the ends of the bleachers," said Deragisch.

The board voted to accept a $2,998 bid from Cor-Tech, Luverne, to complete the work.

Ninety-year-old Harold Wissink, Steen, holds his great-great-grandson, Austin Neyens, who was born Sept. 2, 2001, in Brainerd. The little boy has many great people in his life: great-grandmother and great-grandfather, William and Mavis DeBeer, Adrian; and great-great-grandmother, Hildegaard DeBeer, Luverne. His grandmother, Wanda Neyens, and his daddy, Jeremy Neyens, live in Brainerd.

Hills-Beaver Creek senior David Top drives to the basket before scoring two of his 16 point during Tuesday's 60-46 boy's basketball win over Sioux Valley-Round Lake-Brewster in Hills. The win was H-BC's third consecutive victory.

By John Rittenhouse
The Hills-Beaver Creek boys' basketball team is riding its longest winning string of the 2001-02 season after posting a home win Tuesday.

Playing Sioux Valley-Round Lake-Brewster in a Red Rock Conference game in Hills, H-BC put together a strong fourth quarter to pull out a 60-46 win over the Raiders.

The game was tight for the first three quarters, but the Patriots outscored the Raiders 21-11 in the final eight minutes of play to win by 14 in the end.

The victory was H-BC's third straight. The 6-5 Patriots will attempt to extend the run when they play a road game against Red Rock Central tomorrow before hosting West Lyon Saturday.

Matt Buck, who had nine rebounds for the Patriots, and Lyle DeBoer led H-BC's assault in the fourth quarter. Buck tossed in eight of his team-high 18 points and DeBoer added five of his six counters during a Patriot rally that turned a 39-35 lead after three quarters of play into a comfortable win.

David Top was hot for the Patriots early as he scored eight of his 16 points during a first quarter that ended in a draw at 12.

SV-RL-B moved in front 26-25 at halftime before the Patriots used a 14-9 scoring cushion in the third period to gain a four-point advantage.

Brad Haak had a big game for H-BC by scoring 13 points, grabbing 13 rebounds and producing four steals. Darin DeBoer charted six rebounds for the winners.

Box score
D.DeBoer 2 0 1-2 5, Van Maanen 0 0 0-0 0, Haak 6 0 1-2 13, Leuthold 1 0 0-0 2, L.DeBoer 2 0 2-2 6, Top 7 0 2-3 16, Buck 7 0 4-7 18.

Team statistics
H-BC: 25 of 62 field goals (40 percent), 10 of 17 free throws (59 percent), 39 rebounds, five turnovers.
SV-RL-B: 19 of 53 field goals (36 percent), two of nine free throws (22 percent), 26 rebounds, 17 turnovers.

By Jolene Farley
Connie Stone has joined the First Presbyterian Church of Beaver Creek and the First Presbyterian Church of Rushmore as the new minister for both congregations.

An ordination and installation ceremony will be Saturday, Jan. 19, in the Beaver Creek church.

Stone has already started some of her work in the parishes but cannot perform the sacraments until she is ordained Saturday.

Stone said she knew when she was very young she wanted to serve the church. "I actually had decided very early I wanted to do some kind of work for the church," she said. "The more I grew and the more I prayed, the more I felt pulled in this direction."

Stone completed her studies at the Louisville Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky., before moving to Beaver Creek.

She said she chose Minnesota because her 15-year-old daughter, Abby, has asthma and she wanted to get out of the city. "I wanted her out of the pollution," she said.

She also wanted her daughter to get to know her side of the family from Nebraska.

Stone said she is looking forward to getting to know her congregation one-on-one. "I am very much a people person. I like hearing people's stories," she said. "I hope if people do not come to our churches I can still meet them and get to know them."

She's already noticed the "Minnesota nice" that other states talk about.

"I was very attracted to the people here," she said. "They're very honest, healthy and sure of who they are."

The Beaver Creek congregation has more than 100 people on the rolls with more than 80 who attend services regularly. In Rushmore the congregation has more than 40 active members.

Although the Presbyterian Church recommends ministers stay in a congregation for a seven-year period, Stone said she intends to stay as long as she is needed.

"I told the congregations I would stay until I felt I was no longer effective as a pastor," she said. "That would be the point, whether that's seven years or 20 years."

Stone's daughter, Abby, is a talented string bassist who hopes to join the Youth Orchestra in Sioux Falls. She also "sings like a bird," Stone said. Abby is attending Hills-Beaver Creek High School.

Stone said she wants everyone to know she is a big Nebraska Cornhusker fan. "I'm kind of in mourning about that right now ...losing the national championship."

Douglas W. Krug, 74, Mankato, formerly of Luverne, died Monday, Dec. 31, 2001, at Mankato House Health Care Center in Mankato.

Graveside services were Thursday, Jan. 3, at Maplewood Cemetery in Luverne. The Rev. Mark Mumme officiated.

Douglas Krug was born to Walter L. and Frances Krug on May 2, 1927, in Luverne. He grew up and attended school in Luverne, graduating from Luverne High School. After high school he served in the U.S. Army.

While in Luverne he worked as a custodian for Luverne Community Hospital. After moving to Mankato he worked as a custodian for Northwestern National Bank.

Mr. Krug was a member of the American Legion.

Survivors include one son, David Krug, Boise, Idaho; one daughter and son-in-law, Dianne and DeWayne Hawks, Aurora, S.D.; and three grandchildren.

Mr. Krug was preceded in death by his parents and one brother.
Woodlawn Hills Funeral Home in Mankato was in charge of arrangements.

Services for Marian Heitkamp will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 18, at St. Adrian Catholic Church in Adrian. The Rev. Gerald Kosse will officiate. Burial will be in St. Adrian Cemetery.

Marian B. Heitkamp, 82, died Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2002, in Luverne Community Hospital.

Marian Hotz was born to John and Mary (Mauch) Hotz on June 9, 1919, in Mankato. She was raised in Adrian and received her education at St. Adrian Catholic School.

She married Edward Heitkamp on Jan. 17, 1939, in St. Adrian Catholic Church. After their marriage the couple farmed south of Adrian. In 1977 they retired and moved to Adrian. She became a resident of Arnold Memorial Nursing Home in October 2000.

Mrs. Heitkamp was a member of St. Adrian Catholic Church and Christian Mothers. She enjoyed sewing and hunting. She also enjoyed crocheting, and she made an afghan for each of her grandchildren. She suffered with rheumatoid arthritis.

Survivors include her husband, Edward Heitkamp, Adrian; nine children and their spouses, Mary Jo (Orlen) Nath, Steve (Cindy) Heitkamp, all of Luverne, Ron (Rosie) Heitkamp, John (Cindy) Heitkamp, Mark (Viv) Heitkamp, all of Adrian, Bill (Carolyn) Heitkamp, Brainerd, Bob (Marianne) Heitkamp, Brookings, S.D., Pat (Don) Ruffing, Gaylord, and Cindy (Jerry) Ross, St. Peter; 29 grandchildren, Kevin (Karen) Brandenburg, Susan (Randy) Schneekloth, Rick (Jennifer) Heitkamp, Tom (Larissa) Heitkamp, Patrick (Jodi) Heitkamp, Heidi Heitkamp, Heather Heitkamp, Jason Heitkamp, Chris (Vollie) Heitkamp, Justin Heitkamp, Jennifer Heitkamp, Julie Heitkamp, Megan Heitkamp, Tad (Michele) Heitkamp, Tracy (Scott) Altman, Keith (Sunny) Ruffing, Eric Ruffing, Sara Ruffing, Travis Heitkamp, Jamie Heitkamp, Jenna Heitkamp, Andrew Heitkamp, Carrie Hogen, Bobbie Ross, Brandon Ross, Ashley Ross, Ashley Heitkamp, LexiJo Heitkamp, and Devin Heitkamp; and eight great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Heitkamp was preceded in death by her parents and one son-in-law, Roger Brandenburg, in 1976.
Dingmann Funeral Home, Adrian, was in charge of arrangements.