Blazers Win Title and Say Farewell to an Era

As the 2005-2006 season began, the Blazers were extremely optimistic and ready to fulfill many lofty goals. With the departure of senior Kim Johnson after the 2004-2005 season, the Blazers had a big gap to fill in the starting lineup. As a senior, Johnson surpassed 1,100 career points and 900 career rebounds. The Blazers had to replace a great player and a senior captain. Luckily for CSB, they had returning captain and starting forward Anna Heikenen to fill the void. Heikenen entered her senior year as the team captain, a two-time All-MIAC performer, and a D3hoops.com fourth team All-American.

Heikenen and three other starters returned from a team that gained valuable experience during their improbable post-season finish. The 2004-2005 Blazers finished the regular season third in the MIAC with a 16-4 record. From their third seed in the MIAC tournament, the Blazers went on to win the 2005 MIAC playoffs and continued their success in the NCAA tournament. In the national tournament, the Blazers won two games and advanced to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen.

From the 2004-2005 team the Blazers' returning starters included Heikenen, junior point guard Katie Kempe, and junior wings Darby Noreen and Jen Dalhed. The last spot in the Blazers' starting lineup was filled by junior post Jaime Goehner. The Blazers frequently dug deep into their bench to find help from a supporting cast made up of junior Ellie Boone, sophomore Judy Falvey, and first-years Ariel Tauer, Nikki Carter, and Kari Schroeder.

The 2005-2006 Blazer basketball team got off to a bumpy start with a 3-2 record. After getting all of the jitters out, CSB went on an eight game winning streak that included defeating a 5-0 Bethel team that was leading the MIAC standings. Saint Ben's was defeated by Gustavus-Adolphus and Concordia-Moorhead in back-to-back games to end  their run. However, these were just bumps in the road and didn't even slow down the Blazers. They jumped right back up and won their next 10 games to finish out the regular season. The Blazers caught on fire and won every game they played between Jan. 25, 2006 and Feb. 18, 2006. During this streak that spanned nearly the entire second half of the season, the Blazers avenged their losses to Gustavus and the defending MIAC champion Carleton Knights.

The Blazers ended the regular season with a 17-3 MIAC record. With an impressive .850 winning percentage in the MIAC, the Blazers were able to win the MIAC title. It was the ninth time Saint Ben's had won the MIAC title. While the Blazers were steamrolling over the MIAC in the latter part of the season, things seemed to slow down come playoff time. The Blazers were defeated in the MIAC playoff semifinals by Carleton. Despite, their exit in the MIAC tournament, CSB earned a berth in the NCAA tournament. In the national tournament the Blazers took on Simpson and were defeated by only three points in the first round. This game, which was fought to the bitter end, was representative of all of the Blazers' losses. Of the six games Saint Ben's lost, four of them were decided by one point.

Despite the disappointment the Blazers felt from the post-season losses, they had an outstanding season. The season was an obvious success as the Blazers finished with a 21-6 overall record and another MIAC title. Senior captain Anna Heikenen went out on top in the MIAC and led the Blazers to a great season in her last year at Saint Ben's. Heikenen led the Blazers in scoring, rebounding, and free throws made. She averaged 18.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 4.6 made free throws per game. Heikenen's exceptional performance all year earned her the honors of CSB Most Valuable Player, All-MIAC, MIAC Player of the Year, All-West Region first team, D3hoops.com All-American second team, and Kodak/WBCA All-American first team.

Throughout the season, the Blazers saw a great deal of success and so did Anna Heikenen. During the season, Heikenen accomplished many milestones that are extremely difficult to come by. On her path to becoming a three-time All-MIAC selection, Heikenen picked up a few other accomplishments. Heikenen became only the fifth Blazer basketball player to score over 1,500 career points. She also broke the record for most career free throws made with 379. Heikenen became the fifth Blazer ever to be named a Kodak/WBCA All-American.

Heikenen was strongly supported by juniors Darby Noreen and Katie Kempe. Noreen led the MIAC in three-point field goal percentage and earned All-MIAC honors. Noreen was also named to the All-West Region second team. Kempe led the Blazers from the point guard position and was also selected to the All-MIAC team.

Another great achievement from the Blazer basketball team came from the sidelines. Mike Durbin completed his 20th season as head coach of the Blazer basketball team. This year he collected another 21 wins to add to his list. On Feb. 11, 2006 against Hamline, Durbin added his 450th collegiate basketball victory.

In a season marked by individual records and awards, the chemistry and cohesiveness of the team shone through as well. On their way to a 21-win season, the Blazers set a team record for least number of turnovers. The Blazers shattered the previous record of 374 turnovers by only turning the ball over 328 times all season. More impressively, the Blazers broke the record for the lowest number of turnovers per game. The old record stood at 14.4 turnovers per game, but the 2005-2006 Blazer basketball team knocked it down to a slim 12.1 turnovers per game. These stats were a testament to the teamwork and intelligence of this Blazer team.

While enjoying their successes throughout the season and celebrating a MIAC title, the Blazers will be forced to part with a player that defined an era in Blazer basketball. In her last season as a Blazer, Anna Heikenen accomplished many great things, but none were greater than what she taught the returning players about hard work and what it means to be a Blazer basketball player. With five returning juniors to make up next year's senior class and an outstanding group of underclassmen, Heikenen's presence will continue to be felt on this team for years to come.

Peter Banick, Sports Information Student Assistant

Athletic Department
College of Saint Benedict
37 South College Avenue
St. Joseph, MN 56374
320-363-5301
Fax 320-363-6098