Dave Nelson was on the answering end of a lot of media questions during his highly successful career as a high school basketball coach. Now Nelson is on the other side of the microphone.
Nelson worked as television commentator and analyst during the North Dakota Class B boys high school basketball tournament.
Nelson served as Mayville-Portland-CG basketball coach for nine years before retiring from coaching after the 2007-08 school year. He took five Patriots teams to Class B state basketball tournaments - one girls team and four boys teams, with his Patriot boys teams winning state championships in 2002 and 2003.
“I’m having fun with this,” Nelson said. “It’s just making observations and adding some insight. I’m comfortable with it.”
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Nelson didn’t do any self-analysis during the tournament.
“I haven’t watched any of it,” Nelson said. “My wife (Tammy) is taping it. I’m sure I’ll watch bits and pieces of it.”
Perius to hall
Tom Perius of Langdon was introduced as a new member of the North Dakota Officials Association Hall of Fame on Saturday.
Perius has been working baseball and basketball games since 1970. He’s worked more than 10,000 games during his 44-year officiating career, including four state basketball and 30 state baseball tournaments.
“It’s a personal honor,” Perius said. “I didn’t expect it, especially since I’m still officiating. I thought you had to be retired for a few years to get in.”
Then, he added jokingly, “I’ve been told by a number of people that they’re doing this just so I will retire. But I don’t play to.”
The 67-year-old doesn’t feel the rigors of the game are wearing him down. “If I feel tired during the game, I just blow the whistle and play stops for a bit.,” he said.
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Again, he was joking.
Attendance estimates
Matt Fetsch, the assistant to the executive secretary of the North Dakota High School Activities Association, estimated that the Class B state championship night drew more than 7,100 spectators.
That brought the three-day, six-session total to more than 30,000. Official numbers will come out later.
“It’s definitely up from when this tournament was held here two years ago,” Fetsch said. “That’s the best comparison we have for it.
“Overall, I think we’re down a little bit from last year. But it’s still definitely been a good turnout.”
DeVillers reports on sports. Call him at (701) 780-1128, (800) 477-6572 ext. 1128 or send e-mail to gdevillers@gfherald.com .
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