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New York Times
12-03-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Cavaliers notch another win with rally vs. Nets, but a difficult stretch looms
CLEVELAND — During All-Star weekend in San Francisco, I approached a Cleveland Cavaliers executive to congratulate him on what was already a tremendous, historic regular season for his team. We were at a gathering of hundreds of people in a hotel ballroom. There were rows of food along the walls and in the middle of the floor, with gourmet coffee bars and whole stations devoted to Ghiradelli chocolates against the walls. I was headed for the breakfast sausage and biscuits when I spotted the Cavs exec, we stopped, shook hands, and I said things like 'hell of a season so far' and ' seems like a great trade for De'Andre Hunter,' you know, sweet nothings that also happened to be true. Advertisement The executive, who I won't name because neither he nor I expected there would be quotes from the conversation, thanked me and was otherwise gracious in his response, but did happen to say that cautious optimism was the order of the day. 'Always keep in mind the basketball gods can get you,' he mentioned as we parted ways. It struck me when he said it at the time, and I couldn't quite place why — you know, the way a statement or sentence stops you in your tracks and makes you think? Well, the Cavs haven't lost since. Yet another dazzling victory was forged Tuesday night, this time overcoming an 18-point deficit in the third quarter with three key players out to beat the Brooklyn Nets, 109-104. That's 15 consecutive wins for Cleveland, for the second time this SEASON! Only five other teams in NBA history have compiled separate winning streaks of at least 15 games in the same year. Almost as an aside, the Cavs have won 19 of their last 20 and, at 55-10 with 17 games to go, 70 wins is not out of the question. As they continued to pile up the wins, put distance between themselves and the Boston Celtics, and, heck, beat the Celtics in Boston, sitting at these games I've realized what it was about the 'basketball gods' that turned a light on for me. Up until now, the basketball gods have largely left the Cavs alone. There haven't been any truly serious problems, no major injuries to any key players (I HATE to say that, worrying about a jinx, but it's a fact), no troubling losing streaks, and, as far as we know, not one whiff of tension in the locker room or issues between a coach and a player. 'There hasn't been anything close to like (a) crisis, or, 'man we've gotta change things up,'' Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson said, before adding, 'every test that's been put in front of us, I think we've done a darn … what are we batting, 98 percent, right? A few stumbles. We're going through it.' Advertisement Look, the Cavs have, to a large degree, earned the harmony they've enjoyed this season. There was a three-game losing streak toward the end of January, and before that, they had a brief period of three losses in five games, but starting the season 15-0, like Cleveland did, and beating both the Celtics and Oklahoma City Thunder, like the Cavs did, muted any alarms that may have sounded during those few bumps in the road. Donovan Mitchell has put the team before his own personal statistics and given Evan Mobley room to flourish. And by the way, Darius Garland is again comfortable playing alongside Mitchell in Cleveland's offense. Atkinson has the trust of his players not only for the schemes, but his managing of the rotation. No player is overused and at least 10 players see significant minutes every night. Injuries, well, no one can control those, and yes Dean Wade and Isaac Okoro, two bench players, have missed longer stretches this season. Anyway, what I am getting at is, just about every team, every year, goes through something difficult. Just think about the last, I don't know, six Cavs teams that were really good. Dating back to 2014, when LeBron James took two weeks off just to get away from David Blatt, to the following year, when they won it all, but not until they fired Blatt even though they were in first place in the East at 30-11. The third year of the second LeBron era there were large periods of coasting and inattention on defense, and in the final year, Koby Altman needed to trade half the roster at the deadline (there was a ton of stuff that went wrong that season). The past two years, in this new era of good Cavs basketball, the organization has dealt with major tension in the locker room between players and then-head coach J.B. Bickerstaff, significant injuries to Garland, Mobley and Jarrett Allen, a bad knee for Mitchell, and post-All-Star slides that tested fans' patience and the team's mettle. Those episodes were frustrating at the time, but they also built character. 'This team went through it last year, that Orlando series, Game 7,' Atkinson said. 'It's not like we are a green team, a team without experience. We have a ton of experience. We've had huge games this year, we'll continue to have huge games. 'You don't know until you're in the thick of it,' Atkinson continued. 'It's deeper in the playoffs and you gotta get big wins on the road. Down the road we'll see how we respond. I'm very confident in this team's mental toughness.' Advertisement If those basketball gods are going to come calling during the regular season, keep an eye on the next two weeks. The win over the Nets was characteristic of the Cavs' season, but for three quarters it did not look like things would go that way. On Friday, Cleveland plays at Memphis, a team that will be looking for revenge. Then, there's a 1 p.m. home game Sunday against Orlando, followed by a trip out West that starts Tuesday at the Intuit Dome against the Clippers. There's a game the next night in Sacramento. The travel, the rapid fire of the games, and the opponents — after an abnormally successful, but nevertheless long season — could stand as a significant test. Mitchell didn't play Tuesday with what the Cavs called left groin soreness. If you were just checking the internet and saw Mitchell was out against Brooklyn, a team that is not likely going to reach the postseason, and you add that to Cleveland's lead in the East, you might've chalked this up as a rest situation. But Atkinson said Mitchell tweaked his groin during Friday's win over Charlotte, and after struggling to shoot (4-for-15) in the win Sunday against Milwaukee, Mitchell was added to the injury report Tuesday afternoon and ultimately held out. All 30 NBA teams have fewer than 20 games left this season. We bring you back to the blackboard with grades for the NBA season's third quarter ⤵️ — The Athletic (@TheAthletic) March 11, 2025 'Definitely not a huge deal,' Atkinson said. 'We are on the side of caution.' Let's take Mitchell's absence, for now, as a precautionary measure. But we know how serious groin injuries can turn — just ask the Lakers with LeBron. I was going to point out some health concerns with Allen and Garland, and then of course they both went crazy against the Nets. Advertisement Allen has a right hand injury, suffered last month against the Knicks. There are shots he takes left-handed now because of the pain. But with Mitchell, Hunter (sick) and Ty Jerome (rest) out on Tuesday, Allen went off for 23 points, 13 rebounds — and shot 9-for-11 from the foul line (all right-handed). Garland was also injured that night against the Knicks, even missed a couple games afterwards, with a sore hip. He hadn't shot well since, and at one point against Brooklyn was 2-of-11 in the game. So, naturally, he scored 18 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter, finished 11-for-24 shooting, with eight assists, again with those other key scorers out … well, how can we say there is cause for concern now? If the Cavs sail through this next little stretch as they have through every other one this season, there will be a real discussion to be had about becoming the third team in NBA history to compile 70 wins. Would that pursuit of greatness, or, a subsequent little downturn in March or early April, prepare them for what we're all waiting for — a knock-down, drag out Eastern Conference finals against Boston the second half of May? Perhaps that part is up to the gods.
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Erdmann named Mitchell School District Teacher of the Year, Hohbach named Classified Staff of the Year
Feb. 19—MITCHELL — Attendees at the ceremony to announce the Mitchell School District Teacher of the Year and Classified Staff of the Year Wednesday afternoon found their tables adorned with small Ghiradelli chocolates. Tressa Wede, a professor of education at Dakota Wesleyan University and emcee for the event, said that was not a coincidence. There are many similes to be found between chocolate and both teaching and working as classified staff in a school district. "Some days, you get the smooth, creamy truffle of a well-behaved class, where every lesson lands perfectly, every student is engaged and nobody accidentally eats glue," Wede told the audience in attendance. "Other days, well, you bite into the mystery chocolate, and it turns out be the one filled with cough syrup and regret — otherwise known as the day before a full moon, a sudden weather shift or Valentine's Day, when love is in the air and you're dealing with the dramatic study hall love triangles." Both Danielle Erdmann, who was named Teacher of the Year, and Kayla Hohbach, who was named Classified Staff of the Year, said following the ceremony that their experience in the Mitchell School District has been sweet and enjoyable. The pair were one of five employees in each category that were up for the annual awards, which are given out every year to outstanding employees in the district. Erdmann, a science teacher at Mitchell High School, has been teaching for 19 years with 15 years in the Mitchell district specifically. She was honored to even be nominated for the recognition, especially given the company she was among on stage. "Everybody up there is amazing," Erdmann told the Mitchell Republic following the ceremony. "All the people in my building are rock stars, because I know everybody works just as hard as I do." A graduate of the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, her bachelor's degree is in geology, but she found her true calling when she obtained her teaching certificate and got up in front of a classroom of students. No two days are the same for her in her Mitchell High School classroom and she has the freedom to approach her lessons as she sees fit, something she feels isn't necessarily the case in every school district. "I love that every day is different, and that we kind of have autonomy, you know? Our principals let us do our own thing, so every day is different," Erdmann said. "I love all the kids, and I learn just as much from them as you are trying to teach them. I can't imagine doing anything else." Wede said Erdmann stood out for several reasons. She said Erdmann regularly uses her work and love of science to inspire her students and challenges students with high expectations while still providing all-important support. She also exemplifies those ideas outside the classroom, Wede said. "Beyond academics, Danielle invests in building strong relationships, ensuring that every student feels seen, valued and encouraged to reach their full potential," Wede told the audience. "Whether attending extracurricular activities, checking in on former students or advocating for balanced parental involvement in education, she continually demonstrates the depth of her dedication." Representing the other candidates for the award were Trevor Krugman from Mitchell Middle School, Caitlyn Way from Gertie Belle Rogers Elementary School, Jill Miles from L.B. Williams Elementary School and Stacey Hofer from Longfellow Elementary School. Classified staff members at the Mitchell School District are no less important than their teacher counterparts, Wede said. "Teachers may stand at the front of the classroom, (but) they aren't the only ones teaching lessons. In fact, some of the most valuable lessons in a school don't come from a textbook — they come from our incredible classified staff," Wede said. "They're the masters of real-world wisdom, teaching kids and sometimes teachers that lost things magically reappear after you've asked for help." To that end, Wede announced Hohbach as the Classified Staff of the Year. Also stationed at Mitchell High School, Hohbach is a paraeducator who works primarily with high-needs students. She works one-on-one with many students, including non-verbal students, but is also a familiar face helping out in other classrooms. Hohbach, who has been with the district about two and a half years, said there is no place she'd rather be than where she is now. "Oh, I love it. I wouldn't change my job for anything. It's the best thing I've ever done. I've worked many jobs, and this is the most rewarding," Hohbach told the Mitchell Republic. The Mount Vernon native had high praise for the teachers she works with and her fellow classified staffers. But she singled out the students she works with for giving her the biggest sense of satisfaction when it came to her work day-to-day. Those relationships are important to her, she said. "I think being able to build relationships with these students (is my favorite part). A lot of those that are the challenging ones, once we build that relationship, it's just amazing. You see the changes in them," Hohbach said. "And also, my coworkers are amazing. I couldn't do my job without them." Wede said that Hohbach brought dedication and creativity to her job, and that her work makes an impact at Mitchell High School. She makes a difference in both the special and general education settings, which allows students to thrive. Her work also extends into hands-on activities, many of which are familiar to Mitchell School District staffers and students. "With her background in computers and art, Kayla assists with a variety of classroom activities, including the creation of yearbooks for each student, organizing parties and themed dress-up days," Wede said. "She is dedicated to special projects like the award-winning homecoming door project, Christmas video and the popular Wheel of Doom." Also named as candidates for the award were Samantha Keckler from Mitchell Middle School, Kate McEntee from Gertie Belle Rogers Elementary School, Cheryl Liddeke from L.B. Williams Elementary School and Kristina Bartscher from Longfellow Elementary. Wede said the world of education can sometimes be difficult, but it will always be rewarding for those who give of themselves when it comes to teaching their students the ins and outs of classroom lessons and beyond. "At the end of the day, we wouldn't trade it for anything. Because despite the nuttiness, the chaos, the mystery smells and the 872 unread emails, teaching is one of the sweetest, most rewarding jobs in the world," Wede said. Recipients of both awards were selected by a district committee. Both award recipients are now eligible for the same respective awards at the district level. They will then also have a chance to advance to the region and state level.
