Head Coach Cory Nuest had two basic goals for the Becker Bulldog boys basketball summer tournament season — get better on defense and work on shot selection.

It appears that both goals were met, as the Bulldogs achieved a 12-2 record with one event remaining in their summer program.

“We have beat some quality opponents including Annandale, Owatonna, Sartell, Legacy Christian, Wisconsin Dells and Osseo,” Nuest said.  “Our two losses were to Sauk Rapids, who beat us with a buzzer beater, and a team from Fargo who was in last year’s North Dakota state tourney.”

During last year’s MSHSL regular season, the Bulldogs were the highest scoring team in school history, but they also gave up the most points.  Thus, Nuest’s strategy to ensure the team is balanced and can both score and defend.

As part of the summer program, he had the team working on competing and connecting, two traits that he hopes will lead to maximum effort on the court for the entire game, as well as excellent team chemistry. In addition to the work on the court, Nuest continued with leadership development, including a book study, as well as strength training.

“We want to get to the point where the team is leading one another on the court,” Nuest said, noting that the team could play more freely when it relies less on his commands from the sidelines.  

“We have been able to build connection with leadership team gatherings, our team cookout and softball tourney, our phone-free Wisconsin Dells trip, and a sand volleyball tournament.”

Another area of focus for the team was the annual youth camps, where aspiring Bulldogs get to be coached by the current team members.

“We want our kids to be a presence for the younger kids,” Nuest said.  “Our youth camp had 110 kids in grades K-8 attending.”

In addition to the varsity level success this summer, Nuest noted that enough kids participated in the off-season that they fielded four levels of teams at all their tournaments.

“That’s 30 kids playing in most tournaments,” Nuest said, noting that it will increase program-wide depth.  “I really want to thank my assistant coaches as they have been stepping up to help . . . I couldn’t do this all alone.”

Jesse Peterson will return this season to the varsity coaching staff, and the program also added local sports legend Denny Yoerg to the bench.  Nuest said he will be a “huge addition” as a trusted, veteran presence with the team and will provide a great deal of wisdom.

Robert Hoekstra will retain the C-squad position, but JV Coach Josh Doss is leaving the area to pursue a collegiate coaching position.

“It has also been great having Hayden Harmoning coach this summer,” Nuest added.  “He has done a great job coaching our younger levels for us this summer and he has a great future as a coach.”

The school season will kick off this year with the first practice on November 18.