By John Rittenhouse
The Hills-Beaver Creek boys snapped a two-game losing skid by besting Edgerton 50-39 in a Red Rock Conference Western Division tilt played in Hills Friday.

After playing the better part of the prior five games without the services of seniors Matt Buck and Brad Haak, both players returned to the court against the Flying Dutchmen.

Their presence helped the Patriots overcome a sluggish start to best Edgerton by 11 points.

Haak, who had nine rebounds, canned six of nine field goals and led the Patriots in scoring with 18 points during a solid outing. Buck had six rebounds and two points during the game.

H-BC was clinging to a 6-5 lead after eight minutes of play and played great defense while extending the advantage to 11 points by halftime.

The Patriots blanked the Flying Dutchmen during the second period while scoring 11 points to make it a 16-5 game at the intermission.

H-BC outscored Edgerton 19-15 in the third quarter to make it a 35-20 difference heading into the fourth quarter, which Edgerton won by a 19-15 margin.

David Top played a strong game that featured 13 points, six rebounds, three assists and three steals.

Lyle DeBoer pulled down nine rebounds and recorded three steals for the winners, while Darin DeBoer contributed four steals to the cause.

Box score
Metzger 0 0 3-4 3, D.Deboer 0 0 6-6 6, Roozenboom 0 0 0-0 0, Haak 6 0 6-12 18, Leuthold 0 0 1-2 1, L.DeBoer 1 1 0-2 5, Van Wyhe 1 0 0-0 2, Top 4 0 5-7 13, Buck 1 0 0-2 2, Krull 0 0 0-0 0.

Team statistics
H-BC: 14 of 42 field goals (33 percent), 21 of 35 field goals (60 percent), 37 rebounds, 10 turnovers.
Edgerton: 12 of 44 field goals (27 percent), nine of 16 free throws (56 percent), 22 rebounds, 17 turnovers.

By John Rittenhouse
Some clutch free-throw shooting by the Hills-Beaver Creek Patriots gave them a berth in the semifinals of the South Section 3A Boys' Basketball Tournament Saturday.

Taking on No. 5 Murray County Central in a quarterfinal-round tilt in Worthington, the fourth-seeded Patriots drained five free throws in the game's final 1:20 to secure a 61-56 victory over the Rebels.

The win ups H-BC’s record to 15-8 heading into tonight’s semifinals in Worthington, where the team takes on top-seeded Southwest Christian at 6 p.m.

SWC, the three-time defending state champions, ousted Adrian 66-44 during another quarterfinal round game played Saturday.

The Eagles and Patriots have met two times during the regular season. SWC won both times, but the game played in Edgerton Feb. 19 was a tight one (59-54).

Saturday's clash against the Rebels also was up for grabs at the end of the game.

The teams entered the fourth quarter tied at 46, and the score was knotted at 56 as time was winding down.

Patriot junior guard Darin DeBoer, who had not scored a point in the game, gave the Patriots a 58-56 lead when he drained a pair of free throws.

DeBoer added another free throw after Brad Haak made a pair in the game’s final minute to ice a five-point Patriot win.

All things considered, free throws gave the Patriots their victory. H-BC outscored the Rebels 19-6 at the stripe during the game.

The game's first half featured both teams sporting two-point cushions at the quarter breaks.

H-BC played its way to a 15-13 edge during the first eight minutes of play. MCC countered by outscoring the Patriots 22-18 in the third quarter to gain a 35-33 edge at the intermission.

The Patriots tied the game at 46 with a 13-11 scoring cushion in the third quarter before outscoring MCC 15-10 in the final eight minutes of play.

Senior David Top carried the Patriots to victory by scoring a game-high 34 points. Top made 10 of 16 field goals in the game, and he canned both of his attempts from three-point land. Top was 12 of 12 at the charity stripe.

Haak, who scored 12 points and made all five of his field goals in the game, also turned in a solid effort. He had six rebounds, four assists and four steals.

Top and Matt Buck led the Patriots with eight rebounds each. Lyle DeBoer contributed four assists to the win.

Box score
D.DeBoer 0 0 3-4 3, Van Maanen 0 0 0-0 0, Haak 5 0 2-5 12, Leuthold 0 0 0-0 0, L.DeBoer 2 0 0-2 4, Van Wyhe 0 0 1-2 1, Top 8 2 12-12 34, Buck 3 0 1-2 7.

Team statistics
H-BC: 20 of 40 field goals (50 percent), 19 of 27 free throws (70 percent), 31 rebounds, 18 turnovers.
MCC: 23 of 50 field goals (46 percent), six of eight free throws (75 percent), 22 rebounds, 18 turnovers.

By John Rittenhouse
A rocky start for the Hills-Beaver Creek Patriots led to a season-ending boys' basketball loss in Worthington Thursday.

Taking on No. 1 Southwest Christian in a semifinal-round game of the South Section 3A Tournament, the fourth-seeded Patriots showed up for the 6 p.m. start about five minutes late mentally.

The oversight ultimately cost the Patriots the game as they fell 51-37 to the Eagles.

SWC's 14-point win sent it to Monday's championship game against Ellsworth, a 73-72 winner over Red Rock Central in another semifinal-round tilt played in Worthington. H-BC's 15-9 campaign came to an end.

The first five minutes of Thursday's meeting between H-BC and SWC proved to be the difference in the game.

While H-BC stumbled out of the blocks without scoring in the game's first 5:17, the three-time defending state champion Eagles raced to a 15-0 lead.

The Patriots ended up outscoring SWC 37-36 the rest of the night, but they couldn't overcome the mistakes that allowed the Eagles to open their commanding lead early in the game.

Back-to-back hoops by H-BC's Matt Buck and Lyle DeBoer cut SWCÕs 15-point cushion to 11 points (15-4) late in the first period. The Eagles, however, finished the quarter with an 8-3 surge that gave them a 23-7 advantage heading into the second quarter.

After SWC scored the first two points of the second period to expand its lead to 18 points, H-BC put together an 8-0 run capped by a field goal from Brad Haak at the 3:24 mark of the stanza to make it a 25-15 game.

H-BC couldn't cut into SWC's lead any more as the second period progressed. The Eagles used a 5-2 scoring edge in the final three minutes to make it a 30-17 game at the intermission.

SWC started the third quarter with a 7-2 run to open an 18-point (37-19) cushion.

Instead of giving up, the Patriots displayed some heart by outscoring the Eagles 9-2 the rest of the period. DeBoer capped the run by scoring off an offensive rebound with 43 seconds left in the period to make it a 39-28 game.

The difference still was 11 points (43-32) with 4:30 left to play in the fourth quarter, when SWC put together a 6-0 run that gave it a 49-32 lead with less than three minutes remaining.

H-BC ran out of challenges at that point, ending the game 14 points off the pace.

David Top, who had seven rebounds for H-BC, led the Patriots with nine points.

Buck and DeBoer recorded nine rebounds and three steals respectively to lead the Patriots in those categories.

Daniel DeWitt had 11 points and four rebounds for SWC, while Jeff Schaap had 10 points and five rebounds.

Box score
Metzger 0 0 0-0 0, D.DeBoer 1 0 2-2 4, Roozenboom 1 0 0-0 2, Van Maanen 0 0 0-0 0, Haak 2 0 1-4 5, Leuthold 1 0 0-0 2, L.DeBoer 4 0 0-0 8, Van Wyhe 0 0 1-2 1, Top 4 0 1-2 9, Krull 0 0 0-0 0, Buck 3 0 0-1 6.

Team statistics
H-BC: 16 of 49 field goals (33 percent), five of 11 free throws (45 percent), 28 rebounds, 13 turnovers.
SWC: 18 of 45 field goals (40 percent), six of 13 free throws (46 percent), 28 rebounds, 17 turnovers.

By Jolene Farley
The Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon have prompted global curiosity about Islam. Many people have no contact with the religion and wonder what Islamic sects really believe.

Pastor Lowell Berg of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Hills, knew his parishioners were also curious, so he invited Mike Zaske, pastor of the Lutheran churches in Adrian and Kenneth, to speak Sunday on the fundamental beliefs of Islam.

"I certainly don't come here to advertise myself as a great scholar of Islam," Zaske said. "I've never visited an Islamic country. I have no Islamic friends."

With all the media attention on Islam in recent months, Zaske realized that even though he attended a seminary for four years, he really knew little about Islam.

Zaske wanted to be able to watch the news and know what the announcers were talking about. He set out on a search for information about Islam, and what he learned he is now sharing with anyone who will listen.

"Probably what surprised me the most were the similarities between Christianity and Islam," he said "I didn't expect as many as there were."

Zaske condensed his information into a presentation detailing the history of Islam, its main beliefs and a comparison between Christianity and Islam.

Islamic history
Muhammad, born in Mecca (Saudi Arabia) in the year 570 A.D., was the founder of Islam.

The popular "religion" of the time was idol worship, and people involved in the "religion industry" made lots of money selling idols and running shrines.

When Muhammad was 40, he claimed the archangel Gabriel appeared to him in a cave and told him to tell the people about the one and only God that exists.

Preaching this message made Muhammad unpopular with the religious leaders of the time, and he was forced to leave Mecca in 622.

Two years later, Muhammad and his followers defeated the troops from Mecca in battle.

Muhammad returned victorious to Mecca and forgave his former enemies. His forgiveness won him many followers.

Muhammad believed it was his responsibility as a prophet to reveal God to the people. As a prophet, he also believed he was not "superhuman" but rather a lowly servant of God.

In 653 A.D., GodÕs revelations to Muhammad were gathered in a text, the Qur'an.

In addition, many stories and traditions about Mohammed's life were collected, written down, organized and codified into the Sharia.

Similarities between
Islam and Christianity
Both Muslims and Christians trace their roots back to Abraham, according to Zaske. Muslims descend from Abraham's son Ishmael and Christians from Isaac.

"Muslims see themselves as related to us Christians through Abraham," Zaske said. "In some respects weÕre kind of feuding cousins."

Zaske points out the many parallels between the Qur'an and the Bible: creation story, Cain and Abel, Noah (flood), Abraham, Joseph (coat), Moses (exodus), 10 Commandments, King David, birth and work of John the Baptist, virgin birth of Jesus and the miracles and teachings of Jesus.

Important differences
There are, however, many differences between Muslim and Western world legal systems.

"Our legal system looks at religion and civil society as being separate," said Zaske. "In the Islamic world that split simply doesn't exist."

Islamic law holds all people bound by God's law (as given to Muhammad) in every aspect of their lives.

Islamic law (the Sharia) was considered "fixed for all time" back around the year 800 A.D. Many legal issues exist today that were never considered in the year 800.

"There is huge tension in the Islamic world itself between those who want to take the Sharia literally and those who want to adopt it to more modern situations," Zaske said.

Zaske attributes much of toda's unrest in the Islamic world to the history of interactions between Christians and Muslims.

During the Crusades (1095 A.D. to 1291 A.D.) European Christian soldiers re-conquered Jerusalem and slaughtered its inhabitants (1099). The armies invaded the Holy Land eight times. The cross soon became a symbol of Western or Christian barbarism.

This explains the worldwide alarm when President George W. Bush stated in an address after the Sept. 11 tragedy that the United States was on a crusade, according to Zaske.

"To a Muslim person, to hear that word 'crusade' ...it would be the same as saying the word Gettysburg to someone in the South," he said.

Several developments during the mid-20th century have escalated the tension among Muslim countries to the point it is today.

The creation of Israel after World War II, which Palestinians saw as the theft of their land, was monumental.

It also hasn't helped that the U.S. government supported the Shah of Iran, "a very unpopular leader in his own country." In addition, the behavior of oil companies and U.S. pressure to adopt western practices has strained relations with the Middle-eastern countries.

Muslims believe ...
God's words are brought to prophets by the angel Gabriel. Gabriel is highly esteemed as the "Trustworthy Spirit."

Jesus was a highly-esteemed, honored messenger of God, but he was only human.

The crucifixion didn't happen. God wouldn't allow his messenger to be killed. It appeared Jesus was killed, but actually God rescued him miraculously.

God will multiply good deeds of those who have faith in God, believe his messengers and obey his commands. If the good deeds outweigh evil ones, heaven is given.

The writings in the Bible were tampered with by humans (translations). Biblical writings are only accepted if confirmed by the Qur'an. The Qur'an is never translated out of Arabic.

By Lori Ehde
Biodiesel legislation was passed into law Friday, and supporters are comparing it to ethanol, in terms of its projected effect on soybean markets.

Jim Willers, Beaver Creek, is state director of the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association and has been working to see the bill passed into law.

"You could call this Minnesota's second oil well - after ethanol," Willers told the Star Herald Monday.

Minnesota is the first in the nation to mandate the use of biodiesel.

The law requires a portion of diesel fuel sold in Minnesota to contain soybean-based biodiesel by 2005.

The law requires a 2-percent biodiesel blend when state biodiesel production exceeds 8 million gallons.

This will happen 18 months after the state or federal government provides a biodiesel tax credit, or at least by 2005, with or without the credit.

Biodiesel is a clean-burning alternative fuel made from renewable fats or oils, such as soybean oil. It can be burned in any diesel vehicle, and more than 50 major fleets across the nation have used it commercially.

The fuel performs similarly to a petroleum diesel but is non-toxic and biodegradable, and its use reduces harmful air emissions. Biodiesel produces up to 50 percent less dangerous particulate matter than petroleum diesel.

Willers said there are a great many of Rock County soybean producers who stand to benefit from the new mandate.

"What's been holding down the price of soybeans is the glut of soybeans on the world market," Willers said. "This will give us a larger market."

He said there are 2.9 billion gallons of vegetable oil in storage worldwide, and that supply is growing.

"Minnesota will use 16 million gallons of biodiesel annually, but we need other states to use biodiesel also," Willers said.

At the federal level, he said Sen. Mark Dayton has introduced legislation that would provide tax incentives for biodiesel use.

"Biodiesel is a homegrown renewable fuel," Dayton said. "Even as world oil prices are tightening, America's farmers are producing record crops of soybeans ... Building demand for biodiesel will help increase these commodity prices while enhancing our nation's energy security."

He's proposed a 1-cent tax credit per 1 percent of biodiesel used in diesel fuel, up to 20 cents.

Since opponents have criticized biodiesel as a costly alternative, Willers said, "The tax incentive would take care of that cost difference," Willers said.

Three biodiesel processing plants are scheduled to come online soon in Albert Lea, Mankato and Brewster.

A small soybean processing plant is in the research and development stage for Luverne, but its products would include foods, not biodiesel.

Gov. Jesse Ventura decided Friday to allow the bill to become law without his signature, registering a protest against the measure, but without killing it with a veto.

"I have serious reservations about any mandate from the government," he said in a letter to the Legislature. "If this bill did not present such a clear opportunity for our farmers and our state, I would veto the bill on these grounds alone."

The KELO Almost Stars take an in-game timeout to pose for a picture at Hills-Beaver Creek High School Monday night. The Almost Stars took on some Hills-Beaver Creek school staff members in a fund-raising game sponsored by the H-BC After Prom Parents' Committee. Event proceeds will fund after prom activities this year.

Freedom of press is everyone's freedom
The right to publicly examine our public records and officials is the only way to guard every other right. James Madison said something like that a couple hundred years ago, and it still holds true today, which is why his birthday, March 16, is celebrated as Freedom of Information Day.

As a newspaper employee, it's my job to not only tell the sweet stories in the community, but to get public information out to the public. Sometimes at this paper we donÕt have the time or resources to push as hard as we should, but we try to ask all the right questions to tell you the story... and hopefully the story behind the story.

I make my living asking questions and sitting through government meetings, but that doesn't mean I'm privy to information that the general public isn't. I have no special rights - I'm just here to make sure someone acts on them.

I'm just one of you doing my best to get the whole story.

That's why it's hard for me to understand why so many people have resentments toward members of the press, on the national or local level.

We're looking for facts and telling a story. Sometimes there's a blunder, but what person doesn't make one on the job? Ours just happens to be out there for everyone to criticize.

Even James Madison, who was a part of such things as the Continental Congress and the Bill of Rights, said, ... "To the press alone, checkered as it is with abuses, the world is indebted for all the triumphs which have been gained by reason and humanity over error and oppression."

When we publish a story about something nasty, criminal or just downright interesting, it's not because we want to create negative feelings; it's because you have a right to know.

You have a right to know what businesses are requesting financial help from taxpayer funds. You have a right to know what crimes are under investigation and what status those investigations are at. You have a right to know who isn't paying their taxes, and you have a right to know which government bodies pay companies for construction projects.

Getting criticized for reporting on these things can either make me angry or hurt my feelings, depending on the day.

But be careful when you bad-mouth the paper because information made someone look bad. Don't ask us to hold something back or to wait for the press release.

Doing that could block information, which causes an obstacle to freedom. And that should be a concern to all Americans, whether they're fans of the media or not.

Send Sara an e-mail

Luverne school to host forum on rave parties
What is a rave party?
The term "rave party" has been around for a long time, but I always associated it with big-city after-bar parties where people of legal drinking age gather to do illegal things.

According to Jan Olson, the rave party is becoming more prevalent in large and small communities alike and involves underage kids, and she thinks you should know more about them.

From 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursday, March 28, Mankato Police Officer Allen Schmidt will conduct a presentation on the rave party and how it is becoming more prevalent in smaller communities.

According to Schmidt, a rave party is "defined as an organized event that is touted as alcohol- and drug-free, but in reality, drugs are the main factor behind the party."

Some things to be discussed include:

music played at the party
clothing worn by the patrons
economics driving the parties
drugs involved
warning signs and ways drugs are being hidden.

Olson encourages any parent, educator, or adult who has a vested interest in children and their health to consider attending.

Spring clean-up and citywide rummage date set
As spring nears, you may want to start cleaning that junk out of your basement, closet or wherever it has collected over the past year or two.

Spring clean-up will start with the branch and tree pickup on April 15-17.

Junk items, wood, metal and plastic should be set out in separate piles for pickup April 22-24

The last pickup will be appliances on April 25.

This year, you must pre-register your appliance with City Hall and pay a $15-per-appliance fee.

Items considered appliances include: dehumidifiers, water heaters, washers and dryers, refrigerators, furnaces, air conditioners, stoves, deep freezers, microwaves, garbage disposals, trash compactors, and heat pumps.

The following week, the Luverne Chamber of Commerce will sponsor its citywide rummage sale.

This year the rummage sale will be from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 27. Registration fee for the annual event is $10, which pays for advertising the sale, a lawn sign and your inclusion on the published list of participants which will be distributed.

To participate, you must sign up by April 12.

Minnesota closer to having official photo
You will probably be able to add one more item to your list of "Minnesota officials."

On Monday, Rep. Loren Solberg announced that the bill to make the picture "Grace" the official photograph of the state of Minnesota passed the House on a vote of 115 to 11.

The bill will go to Gov. Jesse Ventura for his signature.

Pet obituaries?
Always on the lookout for more readers and more revenue, the Philadelphia Daily News has initiated the publishing of pet obituaries.

Pet owners now have the opportunity to express how much they miss their recently departed companion by memorializing them in a pet obituary.

According to a recent Minnesota Newspaper Assn. Bulletin, the pet obits are selling for $52.08, which include a photo and a few lines of text, in the Philadelphia Daily News.

The notices appear once a month under the heading "A Fond Farewell to our Beloved Pet."

Publisher Roger Tollefson can be contacted by e-mail at
tolly@star-herald.com

Jason Douglas Berning, 23, Luverne, formerly of Adrian, died Friday, March 15, 2002, at his home in Luverne.

Services were Tuesday, March 19, at St. Adrian Catholic Church in Adrian. The Revs. Gerald Kosse and James Berning officiated. Burial was in St. Adrian Catholic Cemetery.

Jason Berning was born to Doug and Kathy "Willy" (Reese) Berning on April 5, 1978, in Luverne. He graduated from Adrian High School in 1996. He attended Mankato State University in Mankato. He later worked at Sharkee's Sports Bar and presently was working at Herman Motors in Luverne as a financial officer.

Mr. Berning was a member of St. Adrian Catholic Church in Adrian. He enjoyed golfing, landscaping and was a handyman.

Survivors include his parents, Doug and Kathy "Willy" Berning, Adrian; one brother, Jeremy Berning, Waite Park, paternal grandparents, Ed and Dolores Berning, Adrian; special friends, Renee, Logan and Tommy Norman; and many aunts, uncles, cousins and good friends.

Mr. Berning was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Russell and Eleanor Reese.

Dingmann Funeral Home, Adrian, was in charge of arrangements.