GICC went on a 22-1 run in the fourth quarter, using their trademark defense and good free throw shooting.

Fahey's shirt change came when the officials discovered blood on it and sent him to the locker room. He promptly returned, drained a three and the run was on.

With 6:10 left in the game, GICC trailed 31-21, but team defense the Crusaders held the Dragons 36 points below their season average saved the day.

From where I sat in the rafters in a seat that would never pass the Geneva Convention GICC's experience in tough games paid dividends.

Bill Gaver's team played a schedule tougher than a two-dollar steak. He would book a home-and-home with the Celtics if he thought his kids would get better. They are fearless when it comes to playing up. Next for the Crusaders is Ravenna, who beat Perkins County 69-57 in the early scrap at LSE Thursday afternoon.

The game looked like something from the past.

Two Januarys ago on cold, rainy morning, Ravenna Coach Paul Beranek loaded his team on a bus and headed east to play mighty Bellevue West, a consistent big dog in Class A basketball. The C-2 Blue Jay Davids were undefeated at the time and had plenty of ammo for their slingshots against the BW Goliaths.

The Thunderbirds won in a close, remarkable game, the kind you should have to pay a little extra for at the gate when you leave. Afterward, at Famous Dave's in Bellevue, Beranek and West coach Doug Woodard sat together.

Now I know what they were talking about.

I don't know which came first (I'm thinking Woodard because of experience), but Ravenna's dispatching of undermanned Perkins County looked strangely like a Bellevue signature thrashing of an opponent: pressing, fast-breaking, a deep bench, that sort of thing a nice look if you can get.

Granted, Beranek is his own guy and can coach with anyone, but I've seen that style of play before.

Case in point: With Adam Mingus leading the thievery, the Blue Jays had four steals and double the number of annoyances before the Plainsmen had broken a sweat.

Beranek subbed early and often, the idea being fresh legs score more than tired ones. At one point the Ravenna bench looked like the Colorado Avalanche changing lines.

They will need the energy when they tangle with GICC Friday at Pershing, where parking is still somewhere between a crapshoot and nightmare.

For basketball fans, a game like this is about as good as it gets.

More day one

Some other thoughts after a day courtside: Technology conspired against our plan to chat from the Ravenna game and GICC game. If you logged on looking for some talk, I was lost in cyberspace. I apologize. Hope we can make that connection Friday afternoon from Pershing.

I started the day at Pershing, where Pierce beat Boys Town in the 9 a.m. game. Is 9 a.m. a little early for a game? I half expected the concession stand to have two eggs over easy and hash browns. Maybe a side of bacon?

Hastings St. Cecilia whipped Minden 58-44 to advance in C-1. One encouraging development in that contest was the Minden drum line at halftime. Nothing against dancers, but a little rat-a-tat-tat at brunch was a refreshing change of pace.

The madness and the rhythm and State continue Friday. Spencer Fahey will being wearing 12. Ravenna will press and fast break. Count on it.

I'm only hoping for a softer place to sit.