High school coach Mike Dreier hits 900 wins

mplarson7

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Quick shameless plug for my high school...New London-Spicer's girls basketball coach hit 900 wins. His career record at NLS is 900-169.

Not too shabby.

NEW LONDON — Mike Dreier holds court after every New London-Spicer win, graciously shaking hands with fans making their way for the exit. On Tuesday night, though, that line of well-wishers seemingly never stopped.

The long-time Wildcat coach earned win No. 900 with a 65-41 victory over Montevideo. More than 40 years after his first victory, a 29-22 win over Kimball Dec. 12, 1978, Dreier walked around the gym at New London-Spicer High School celebrating a milestone with dozens of former players, family members, and friends.


"It's a very special moment," said Dreier, now with a career record of 900-169. "It's one of those things I can share with so many people, so many of the ex-players that have been here, it makes it really special. A lot of people came from a long ways away to share the night. Wow. It makes me think we did something right."

The Wildcats opened up the game with a 33-16 first half, ceding the floor to all former players in attendance to play a round of Lightning, a shooting game. Players from nearly every step of Dreier's career showed what skills they have left.

"Well, a lot of them got us a lot of success," Dreier said, laughing, about the quality of shooting. "Give them credit, now they're mothers."

The Wildcats kept up the action after the halftime festivities, rolling with a 32-25 second half score line. As was familiar to scores of former Wildcats, Dreier counted on scoring contributions from nine different current players, including Payton Mages who led the game with 16 points.

It was a night for the present but one of reminiscence, too. Throughout the game, former players looked back at their playing days from Dreier's 40-year coaching career. The two-time state champion and six-time runner-up certainly has the accolades to mark a successful career. The conversations were less about wins, though, and more about memories. During his thank you-speech, following presentations by NLS activities director John Vraa and former player Amber (Hanson) Barrett, Dreier credited his family as well as the families of former players for allowing him to share those moments.

"So many former players talk about special times, playing well, and going the right thing," said Dreier, a Burnsville native and Hamline University graduate. "Seeing all of the people here tonight is great. I'm just a small part of what makes this thing work.

"And thank you to my family for putting up with me and giving me the opportunity to share with all of my players."


http://www.wctrib.com/sports/4382284-girls-basketball-dreier-reaches-900-wins-nls-victory
 

Dreier knows how to run a zone defense. I'd take Dreier in an instant over the train wreck of a coaching staff we have at the U. His teams always compete. Year in and year out they compete. Even when his team is lacking in talent and they are overmatched, they compete. He has an ability to get his players to play hard within his style. Can seem a little cranky at times, but he expects his girls to compete every possession when I've watched them play. Could teach Stollings a few things about defense.
 

It was a good week for New London-Spicer.

The Vikings signed NL-S grad Brandon Zylstra to a 2018 contract. Brandon led the CFL with 1,687 yards last season for Edmonton.
 

Dreier knows how to run a zone defense. I'd take Dreier in an instant over the train wreck of a coaching staff we have at the U. His teams always compete. Year in and year out they compete. Even when his team is lacking in talent and they are overmatched, they compete. He has an ability to get his players to play hard within his style. Can seem a little cranky at times, but he expects his girls to compete every possession when I've watched them play. Could teach Stollings a few things about defense.

One of my best friends from high school had a sister who played for him. We would go watch her games all the time. Dreier coordinates with all of the middle school coaches. Starting about 5th grade, all the middle school coaches start teaching Dreier's style to the players. By the time they reach high school, they've already been playing it for 4 years or so. So you could watch them grow into his system year by year.
 

It was a good week for New London-Spicer.

The Vikings signed NL-S grad Brandon Zylstra to a 2018 contract. Brandon led the CFL with 1,687 yards last season for Edmonton.

Yeah, heard about that. I believe him and his brother were both on the state champion football and basketball teams in...2010? I think it was. Very athletic family.
 





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