After a long and cold winter this year, I can tell you that there are two seasons that I am looking forward to in the future here in New Ulm.

One is the upcoming baseball season at both Johnson and Mueller Parks.

I can’t wait for games at either park, beginning this spring and running through the summer.

I am looking forward to the combined 130-plus games at both parks.

Can’t wait for those great cheeseburgers — and especially Linda Flor’s homemade sauerkraut.

There is nothing better.

But there is another season that I am looking forward to.

And I never thought that I would be writing this.

I can’t wait for the high school basketball season to start next season.

I really feel that the the Minnesota Valley Lutheran boys and both the New Ulm High School boys and girls teams all have realistic chances of earning state tournament trips.

Why?

All three teams had successful seasons this past year with young teams.

MVL posted a 25-4 mark, and the New Ulm High School boys went 21-6.

The Eagles girls team finished 17-9.

And each team returns four starters and a lot of depth.

The talent is there with a years more experience under their belts.

How much work that they do — or don’t do — this summer is going to play a big part in what happens next March.

And next season, two New Ulm High School players will join the 1,000-career point club.

Daviney Dreckman needs 35 points to crack the 1,000 mark, while James Osborne has 970 career points.

And next season the 35-second shot clock will be used for all games.

Will it have an impact if at all?

I attended a lot of high school basketball games this past season and some used the shot clock.

But the majority of teams push the ball hard and fast up the court.

The shot clock was not a factor in games.

Yeah, next basketball season in New Ulm could be one of the best ever for the local high schools.

I can’t wait.