In their second-to-last regular season game, the Becker boys basketball team improved to 10-14 with a comeback win over Foley on home court Tuesday, 78-72. The Bulldogs’ final regular season game was slated for Friday night and the Citizen-Tribune will bring you a complete follow-up on the game in next week’s edition.
Tuesday was parents night at Becker High School where the team player’s parents are introduced and lined up around the court. The basketball community also dedicated time before the matchup to honor eighth-grade coach Brian Kuseske, who recently was diagnosed with brain cancer.
Dozens of supporters donned Coach K’s blue shirt that had the words, “Never Give Up” emblazoned across the front.
When the game got under way moments later, the Bulldogs and Falcons battled hard with scoring at a premium and fouls galore on both ends of the court.
Ali Kourouma of Foley looked like Michael Jordan as he calmly buried threes after threes from long ways out. He finished with just 14 points, meaning the Bulldogs clamped down on his efforts in the second half to keep the game close.
Foley, however, had the better first half as they exploded for 40 points and headed to the lockerroom with a 10-point lead.
But the Bulldogs rallied for a huge second half after they got inspiration from Coach K at halftime. Becker rolled in 48 points and stymied the Falcons for 32 in the final 18 minutes to pull out the six-point win.
Lucas Dertinger did his best Larry Bird impression as he poured in 25 points to lead the Bulldogs. Cade Callahan had one of his best games of the year, tallying 22 points — mostly in the second half.
Foley was led by Drew Beier, who drained 15 points. The Falcons had five players in double figures, but it was the Bulldogs who emerged victorious at the buzzer.
Becker scoring: Dertinger 25, Callahan 22, Brandon Gustafson 11, Sam Ricker 9, Caleb Quernemoen 4, Justin Kringler 4 and Josh Fobbe 3.
Foley scoring: Beier 15, Kourouma 14, Alex Foss 14, Jackson Sahlstrom 12, George Brenny 10, Luke Lorenz 4 and Jacob Hageman 3.
Up Next
The Bulldogs played Friday at home against Mora, then wait to see where they are seeded for the Section 5AAA tournament that starts Tuesday.
