Just as the 2013-14 boys basketball season was getting underway with enthusiasm over a new season, a new coach and a new optimism — one of the Bulldog players will be unable to take part in the upcoming season.

 

This year’s Becker Bulldog basketball team will need to go on without junior Anthony Nelson, who lost his life earlier this week in a one-car wreck in Becker.

 

Nelson — who also played football and baseball at BHS — will be sorely missed and was cited to be an instrumental part of the team’s success this year. Now, his spirit will be all his fellow teammates, classmates and friends will be able to lean on.

 

New Head Coach Josh Ihrke  has already had to face a daunting task, trying to remake a basketball team according to his ways and practices after taking over for outgoing coach Regan Anderson.

 

Ihrke, (pronounced “erky”) is a five-year tenured teacher (math) and coach in the Becker School district. Ihrke had been the JV girls basketball coach under Paul Lindsay the last few years and he hopes that experience translates into a  program his kids and the team’s fans can get excited about.

 

“These kids are working hard and I’m seeing good enthusiasm and excitement from these kids who are eager to play,” said Ihrke. “They listen well and so far, I like what I’ve seen.”

 

Ihrke will have assistants Dan Baird, Brian Kueske and Dennis Yoerg by his side with student Cole Hanson serving as student manager for the Bulldogs.

“My goal with this team is not only to make the team better, but also get the players to develop a love for the game and not make coming to practice a chore,” said Ihrke. “We’re going to be up-tempo and in your face and I think that physicality will help us as the year progresses.”

 

Ihrke has around 54 boys on the 9th to 12th grade teams, including a full sophomore team. His experience is from coaching under Lindsay and getting his feet wet on the sidelines while attending NDSU where he studied mathematics as a major and minored in coaching.

 

“I always knew I wanted to coach, even before I knew I wanted to become a teacher,” he said.

 

The “captains” on the team are the five seniors, Josh Nohner, Jon Crowley, Cole Anderson, Tyler Kruse and Eric Tungland. Each has unique talents and skills and each will be relied upon to not only handle the on-court play but also provide leadership and set an example for some of the younger players vying to make the team.

 

“I like what I’ve seen so far,” said Nohner. “It’s been great and there’s been a vibe around here I’ve haven’t seen in quite a while.”

 

“Yeah, Coach Ihrke has been bringing good energy to the practices and I think it not only helps the young guys get better, but he’s helping me, too,” said Tungland.

 

Last season, the boys basketball team finished with six wins and Crowley and company want to see not only improved play, but an improved record.

 

“Our goal this year is to be at least .500,” Crowley said. “It’s definitely possible with the team we have this year. We’re way more confident this year than we have been in the past.”

 

Anderson agrees.

 

“We’ll be better this year, all we have to do is play hungry and stay positive,” said Anderson. “We need to bring that energy and attitude to the court each and every day.”

 

When asked what player would each of the captains like to see have the ball in their hands when the games on the line? All but one pointed to their starting point guard.

 

“Nohner,” said Kruse. “He’s definitely the go-to guy on this team.”

 

“Nohner,” said Crowley. “Nohner,” said Tungland. “Nohner.” said Anderson.

 

“Veldman (Michael)”, said Nohner, not wanting to toot his own horn, but appreciating the confidence his team has on him. “Actually, we have a lot of guys capable of taking that last shot and making it. That’s the thing, we have a pretty well-rounded ball club this year.”

 

The team consists of Nohner, Crowley, Kruse, Anderson, Tungland, Veldman, Dawson Brown, Jake Fobbe, Blake Barthel, Andrew Davalos, Cody Gruenhagen, Zack Moeller, Andrew Stanger and Clayton Gallus.

 

The team’s first game was Nov. 22 where they lost to St. Cloud Apollo at home but they rebounded to win a game dedicated to Anthony Nelson Tuesday on the road in Little Falls (see report later in the story). They  have four straight home games over the next few weeks including a game against Zimmerman Friday (full report in next week’s Citizen), Tuesday against Milaca, next Friday against Big Lake and the following Thursday against Albany.

Becker 67, LF 52

 

The Bulldogs played inspired basketball and made sure they came home with a big win as they dedicated their game Tuesday against Little Falls to their fallen teammate and friend, Anthony Nelson.

 

Josh Nohner led the way for the Bulldogs, scoring 19 points in just over 26 minutes of playing time. Michael Veldman chipped in 17 points, four assists and three rebounds in the win.

 

Little Falls was led by Sebastian Sowada and Bryce Zawatzke who each had 12 points for the Flyers.

 

The game was tied 26-26 at halftime, but Becker exploded in the final half, outscoring Little Falls 41-26 to capture the victory.

 

Becker got scoring from 10 different players and shot 45% from both the floor and the three point line.

 

Becker Scoring: Nohner 19, Veldman 17, Erik Tungland 9, Dawson Brown 7, Tyler Kruse 5, Zack Moeller 3, Andrew Stanger 3, Cole Anderson 2, Blake Barthel 1 and Jon Crowley 1.

 

Little Falls scoring: Sowada 12, Zawatzke 12, Kyle Kabanuk 9, Mark Hanowski 6, Jake Loukinen 5, Riley Loukinen 2, Thomas Bell 2, Brighton Goodrich 2 and Cameron Smith 1.