My top stories of the year

There was plenty to write about in 2017. Here are my top stories looking backward in order from the most recent article published.

With North championship, Tamara Moore ‘finally out of the shadow of the boys’ (November 29)

Tamara Moore, one of the most decorated high school basketball players in Minnesota history who went on to an outstanding college and WNBA career, was inducted into the University of Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame.

Shaw-Martin and Conwell give back to St. Paul Johnson (November 25)

Former St. Paul Johnson basketball standout and Deedee Conwell wanted to do something positive to bring awareness to player Tavey Shaw-Martin and the recent violence that has dominated the Eastside community. With that, the Stop the Violence Basketball Clinic /Alumni Game was born.

Former prep stars and current player give Lynx nothing but praise (October 11)

After watching the Minnesota Lynx capture their fourth WNBA championship this decade — winning their previous three in 2011, ‘13 and ‘15 — former girls’ basketball prep stars Tamara Moore, Carolyn Blair-Mobley, Rikiee Ellis, Tyrai Ross and Dee Buford, as well as former Golden Gophers player Crystal Flint and current prep player Taylor-Tidwell, had nothing but positive things to say about the team’s accomplishment.

Jimmy Lee Football Camp a success (July 4)

Former NFL player and Cretin Derham Hall football alum Phil Archer was very positive as the third and final day of the third annual Jimmy Lee Football Camp concluded at Jimmy Lee Recreation Center last week. “It was a great turnout,” the former linebacker said. “We averaged between 100-130 kids per day. It was a good camp.”

Coaching experience connects to family legacy (April 12)

A couple of weeks ago I forgot to acknowledge a very important member of a prep basketball family legacy in a column about a state championship team. I had to go back to my first coaching experience 25 years ago to be able to explain how this former superstar connects to his family’s legacy.

Former coach honored at Minneapolis North (February 22)

Cliff Brown made me an offer I couldn’t refuse. I knew that he was to be honored for his career as an assistant coach at Minneapolis North with Head Coach Robin Ingram in the 1990s, during which the duo led the Polars to three consecutive state championships from 1995-97.

Adrienne Richardson signs with Florida State (February 8)

For senior Adrienne Richardson, the dedication and hard work were well worth it. The Tartan senior, who quietly developed into one of the top girls’ soccer players in the country, signed a national letter of intent with Florida State University (FSU) last Wednesday as friends and family looked on.

Mitchell Palmer McDonald welcomes reader responses to mcdeezy05@gmail.com.