State's top-ranked boys basketball player makes smooth transition from North Dakota to Minnesota
They make 'em big in North Dakota.
"I am 6 [feet], 11 [inches] and I weigh 253," said Tommy Ahneman, the top-ranked player in Minnesota on the top-ranked team in Minnesota, Cretin-Derham Hall.
Ahneman won a state title with Sheyenne High School in West Fargo, North Dakota last season. Then, when his dad got a job in Minnesota, he transferred to CDH.
"I basically lived down here during AAU with (Howard) Pulley so it wasn't totally brand new," said Ahneman, a senior. "I still knew some people. Obviously it's hard though when you don't have that familiarity with where you're at and how to get to your house from wherever you're at. But you just learn and get used to it."
Ahneman has a physical edge on most everyone he faces. He's part of a new-look, highly talented Cretin team.
"His talent speaks for itself," said Cretin-Derham Hall head coach Jerry Kline. "His ability to play inside out. To use his size and his body and the way he moves is incredible. Obviously you're excited as a coach. You've got a new, shiny toy and how are you gonna use that and how is he gonna work with others. But probably the most important thing about Tommy is he's so unselfish."
Until last week, the Raiders were undefeated. Their first loss came without Ahneman, who's dealt with a left knee bone bruise for a month. But he just got cleared to play this week.
"Nice to be back a good two weeks before sections starts and state if we can make it there," said Ahneman. "Obviously, now I gotta work on getting back in shape."
After a crucial AAU season, Ahneman committed to Notre Dame this October. Early on, he thought he'd end up playing at NDSU, where both his parents were athletes.
"I wasn't overly great my freshman and sophomore year. So I was just kinda thinking that it would be something cool to do, go to college for free. Get my education, go on to work," said Ahneman. "But obviously I hope that it turns into something more than that now."
And maybe a second state title in his second state, too.
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3 days ago
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Century's Ryker Hansen, Lourdes' Colton Rich open boys golf state meets with excellent scores
Jun. 10—COON RAPIDS — Ryker Hansen has been one of the most consistent golfers in southeastern Minnesota this spring. The Century senior had played 18 rounds prior to the start of the Class 3A state meet on Tuesday at Bunker Hills Golf Course. He had shot in the 70s in 17 of those rounds. Advertisement Make that 18 for 19. Hansen shot a 3-over-par 75 here Tuesday in the first round of the state meet, the best round of the day by a southeastern Minnesotan. He sits in a seven-way tie for 21st place entering Wednesday's final round. Hansen took a triple-bogey 8 on the 540-yard par-5 11th hole Tuesday, but otherwise was superb throughout his round. He had three birdies and 11 pars, and bounced back from his tough 11th hole by making a birdie and five pars over the next six holes. He shot even-par 36 on the front and 3-over 39 on the back. Hansen is one of five Rochester golfers who qualified for the state meet. Advertisement Three of those five are seniors, including Mayo's Isaac Ahn, who is just one shot behind Hansen after a 4-over-par 76 on Tuesday. Ahn sits in a logjam — a 13-player tie for 28th place. That large group of golfers tied at 76 are just two shots out of the top 15 and three shots out of the top 10. Ahn, the Section 1-3A medalist, had the best scoring average in southeastern Minnesota this spring (71.14) and shot a steady round on Tuesday. He made 14 pars and four bogeys in his 76, including six straight pars to start his day. The logjam of great-scoring players continues one shot behind Ahn, as 10 players shot 5-over-par 77 in the first round, including Century junior Brennan Weckwerth, who is among a group of players tied for 42nd place, but just four strokes back of the top 10. Weckwerth made nothing worse than a bogey in his opening round, finishing with eight pars and two birdies — on the 535-yard, par-5 sixth hole, and another on the 428-yard, par-4 10th. Century sophomore Boston Collins fired an 8-over-par 80 and is tied for 68th place after a round that featured a birdie and nine pars. Advertisement Mayo senior Tim Sexton shot a 14-over 86, making a pair of birdies along the way. Cretin-Derham Hall senior Sam Udovich — who was named Minnesota's Mr. Golf on Sunday — is in the lead and four shots clear of the field after an impressive opening round of 6-under-par 66. His clean round included six birdies and 12 pars. Cretin-Derham Hall also leads the team tournament, shooting a total of 3-over 291. Cretin is one stroke in front of Chanhassen entering the final round. CLASS 3A STATE MEET (At Bunker Hills, Coon Rapids) First Round, Tuesday TEAM TOTALS 1. Cretin-Derham Hall 291, 2. Chanhassen 292, 3t. Alexandria 303, 3t. Rosemount 303, 5t. Benilde-St. Margaret's 304, 5t. Northfield 304, 7. Maple Grove 307, 8. Elk River 311. Advertisement INDIVIDUALS (Top 10, local golfers) 1. Sam Udovich (CDH) 66, 2. Torger Ohe (Edina) 70, 2t. 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Rich's 1-under-par 71 at the Ridges at Sand Creek puts him in fifth place entering Wednesday's final round, just two shots back of leader Brock Burhans, a junior from Detroit Lakes. Burhans' teammate, freshman Tyson Eckhoff is in a three-way tie for second place with Morris Area senior Charlie Hanson and Duluth Marshall junior Bennett Scissons, at 2-under-par 70. Rich's longtime Section 1-2A rival Ryan Nutter, a senior from La Crescent-Hokah, is just one shot back of Rich. Nutter is in a three-way tie for sixth place after an opening-round even-par 72. Advertisement A year ago, Rich was in a tie for the lead after an opening-round 70, and he placed seventh in a meet that was shortened to 27 holes due to rain on the final day. He was superb at scoring on Tuesday, making four birdies and 11 pars, and nothing higher than a bogey. He started the day with birdies on two of the first eight holes and made the turn at even-par. He started his second nine with birdies on two of the first four holes, and made par on his final five holes to finish at 71. Nutter, who missed qualifying for the state meet last year despite having the second-best scoring average in southeastern Minnesota, is looking to end his excellent high school career on a high note. He had a simliarly strong day as Rich did on Tuesday. The Lancers senior was 2-over at the turn, after a two-birdie, four-bogey front nine. But he settled in starting on No. 10 and made two birdies and seven pars on the back nine to finish at even. A pair of other local golfers are in the top half of the field. Lake City senior Braxton Berlin is tied for 30th at 4-over-par 76, while Stewartville junior Austin Walker is two shots back, tied for 45th at 6-over 78. Advertisement Pine Island/Zumbrota-Mazeppa senior Collin Fogarty shot a 14-over 86 to open the meet and is in 86th place. 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Yahoo
08-06-2025
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Chris Paul Talks Retirement and Hints at Next Team He Could Play For
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Yahoo
05-06-2025
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OKC Thunder might be 'idiots' but strength is their youth entering 2025 NBA Finals
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