The calendar turned to March on Sunday and everyone knows what that means …

It’s time to discuss just how thick the ice is and whether it is safe to take the power auger and shanty out for one more spin before the ice fishing season suffers the ultimate thaw.

Just kidding.

It’s time for March Madness.

Every year at the high school and collegiate levels teams gear up for the ultimate playoff push.

High school teams can erase a disappointing season with four or five stellar performances in a row to make the WIAA State Tournament. College programs get a second chance at glory in their conference tournaments with the promise of a ticket punched to the “Big Dance” linked to the title.

Locally, the girls basketball season technically never made it to March.

Many on the sports desk thought Shoreland Lutheran had a run to State in them, but Racine Lutheran ended the Pacers’ stellar season prematurely on Feb. 28. Only Bradford and Shoreland managed a playoff victory, making our girls squads a combined 3-8 in the postseason.

On the boys side, Bradford, Tremper, Shoreland and Reuther got off to a strong start during Tuesday’s regional action. Out of the four teams, the Trojans have the best chance for a deep run. The Bulldogs and Pacers will have their hands full in tonight’s Division-3 regional semifinals. The same goes for Bradford in Saturday’s D-1 regional final at Verona.

On the collegiate level, the UW-Parkside women’s basketball team is the lone local hope.

The young Rangers — starting two freshmen, a sophomore and two juniors — can beat any team in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. Jenny Kenesie’s squad gets a chance to take all the guesswork out of the NCAA bid by taking home a title, starting Friday in Quincy, Ill.

*Put me in coach: I’ve gotten nothing but compliments from last week’s ode to coaching and overzealous relatives. Then again, it’s hard to argue in favor of idiocy.

I was mostly railing on the high school level, but I’ve received a lot of feedback from youth league organizers. Even at levels where skill development, practice time and good sportsmanship are paramount, some find a way to focus on game outcomes and individual achievement.

Here’s hoping we all can let our kids be kids and have fun in their respective sports without feeding the beast of entitlement.

That reminds me, don’t forget to check out ksn.kenoshanews.com for all the latest in youth sports.

*Book it (7-4): Despite losing Dominic James, Marquette gave Louisville a run for its money before the Cardinals came through for book it on Sunday.

This week I’m doubling up on Parkside. The Rangers will advance to the championship game of the GLVC Tournament and secure a berth in the NCAA Division-2 Tournament.

Mike Larsen is a sportswriter for the News. E-mail him at