The Madison Lady Bulldogs and Bulldogs have already taken advantage of the Sweet 16 in its first year.

Who can forget about the Lady Bulldogs' run in the State Volleyball Tournament? With the Sweet 16 format, the Lady Bulldogs didn't have to play Sioux Falls Christian in a region championship match, as both teams were able to advance to the Sweet 16 and later on to the State A Tournament.

Both the boys' and girls' basketball teams advanced to the Sweet 16, and both have just one more step to gain a berth in the State A Tournament.

The Lady Bulldogs are the 12th seed and will play a very good McCook Central/Montrose team (the fifth seed overall) at Sioux Falls Christian High School on Friday. The winner will head to the State A Tournament.

The Bulldogs earned a berth in the Sweet 16 with a huge win over the Flandreau Fliers. Madison will face Hot Springs on Tuesday with the site to be determined sometime on Friday.

Early results show the Sweet 16 for Madison has been really sweet. And it may get even sweeter.

ABOUT LARRY LEEDS

Larry Leeds was born and raised in South Dakota, graduating from Colman High School in 1974. He continued his education at USD/Springfield and Dakota State University and received a bachelor's degree in physical education and history in 1979. He later obtained a journalism degree from South Dakota State University.

Before coming to Madison, Leeds worked at weekly papers in Flandreau, St. James, Minn., Redfield and Hayti (Hamlin County Publishing with Castlewood and Estelline).

He has a passion for all sports, especially high school sports and amateur baseball, because these teams are filled with players who want to be playing the game.

His favorite teams are the Nebraska Cornhuskers, Chicago Bears, Minnesota Twins and Timberwolves, and New York Yankees.

Leeds is also a NASCAR fan whose favorite drivers are Dave Blaney and his son Ryan.