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In one of the most impressive comebacks in NCAA Division II basketball history, Winona State University rallied from as many as 15 points behind Augusta State University to seize the national championship. It was the third trip to Springfield, Mass., for a championship game in as many years.
As senior center John Smith said, “It was vindication.”
Indeed.
For a year now, Winona State Warriors faithful have lived with a bitter taste and some awful memories of a season that went just one minute too long. Last year, with just seconds remaining, Barton College staged a whirlwind comeback that snatched the title out of the Warriors’ waiting hands. Just one minute was all that separated Saturday’s win from being a three-peat.
But what a win on Saturday. What a feeling of vindication. What a wonderful way for seniors Quincy Henderson, John Smith and Jonte Flowers to go out. What a tremendous honor for Winona.
We congratulate the Warriors on such a magnificent season. In addition to one national championship, in addition to a national winning streak that’s unparalleled in Division II, the Warriors now have another banner to hang and another record to boast: The most wins — 38 — in a single season.
We want to say thanks to the Warriors for giving us such amazing basketball. Few people realize what excellent basketball they’ve been blessed to see. And more than a few people have come away from Warrior games saying, “Wow, that’s some of the best basketball I’ve seen.”
That’s absolutely correct, and players like Henderson, Smith and Flowers are among the greatest Warriors Winona State has ever produced.
For now.
We’re proud of the dynasty that coach Mike Leaf, his staff and athletic director Larry Holstad have built. This is an amazing team that has set a new standard for Division II college basketball.
Looking around it’s easy to see the impact that WSU basketball has on this community. While Winona may love a good argument, it comes together and rallies around the Warriors. We don’t bleed red. We don’t bleed blue.
This weekend, we all bled purple.
And, as good of a team as the Warriors are, it’s also important to know that one of the keys to their success has been the amazing crowds and fans. It was hard to get some folks in the office. Many students were gone from class. And buses to Springfield, Mass., seemed to run on the hour.
The Warriors can be glad and claim the championship for themselves, but Winona State fans can also rest assured they were no small part of a tidal wave of purple that helped propel the team to victory. It was wonderful to hear coach Mike Leaf talk about the fans on the nationally televised game, and the roar that followed is still ringing in many ears.
Congratulations and thanks to the Warriors. And, congratulations to Winona.
By Darrell Ehrlick, editor, on behalf of the Winona Daily News editorial board, which also includes publisher
Rusty Cunningham and online editor Jerome Christenson. To comment, call (507) 453-3507 or e-mail
letters@winonadailynews.com.
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