Thursday, March 28th, 2024 Church Directory
Becker’s Brady Paumen follows through on the flush for the Bulldogs with his big dunk in the first half versus Big Lake. Paumen would go on to score 23 points for the Bulldogs. (Photo by Mark Kolbinger.)
Becker’s Alex Weiss attacks the hoop in the first half of Becker’s win over Big Lake. (Photo by Mark Kolbinger.)
Becker’s Julias Hendricks posts up while being guarded by Big Lake’s Mitchell Hill. Hendricks would go on to score 18 points for the Bulldogs. (Photo by Mark Kolbinger.)

‘Dogs dominate basketball border battle

Last Friday, the Becker and Big Lake boys and girls varsity basketball teams met for a varsity double header at Becker High School to renew this year’s version of the border battle. Becker Activities Director Dave Niemi estimated the standing room only crowd at 1,400 fans, as it was also Youth Night for the Becker programs.

The varsity double headers have been a big hit in the past few years, as it allows the players, coaches and fans for both the boys and girls programs the opportunity to see both squads in action. Add in the “Highway 10 border battle” excitement of Becker versus Big Lake and it leads to huge crowds and high enthusiasm in the gym.

“The atmosphere of the games is awesome as both the boys team and youth players were there to support the girls and celebrate the offseason commitments within both programs,” Becker girls coach Dan Baird said. “I loved seeing the gym packed for the boys game after we played.”

Baird’s team took the opening game 76 to 33, as the Bulldogs won the girls matchup in decisive fashion despite missing two starters, Lexi Rose and Maren Westin, who are out with injuries.

Becker’s starters scored at will in the opening half, running and gunning to a 50 to 11 halftime lead before the second half was a mostly even affair. 

“We out-rebounded Big Lake by 16 and our goal was plus ten,” Baird said after the game.  “We got a little sloppy with 14 turnovers, as our goal was less than 10.  It was nice to get everyone in the game on our home court with that crowd!”

Becker held a huge advantage with 32 points off turnovers, compared to the Hornets’ 5.

Eleven Bulldogs saw action in the game, with 9 players getting double digit minutes.

Baird credited Dani Nuest for her fine play, with 24 points, including 5 three pointers.

Big Lake scoring: Ashley Fitzgibbons 13, Rylie Sternquist 10, Abby Polacec 3, Jessie Moyer 2 (3 assists), Emma Jacobs 5 (5 rebounds).

Becker scoring: Dani Nuest 24 (7 steals), Hannah Dierkes 5, Ayla Brown 15 (5 assists), Reese Hausmann 12, Madison Bass 3, Liz Mackedanz 17 (9 rebounds).

Boys Nightcap

The boys teams then faced off in the nightcap and it was a wild affair, with the Bulldogs pulling away down the stretch for a 79-72 win.

“The atmosphere felt like a section playoff game,” Coach Josh Ihrke said. “We settled down in the first half and I was proud of how the guys executed on both ends of the ball in the second half.”

The Hornets held a 37 to 36 halftime lead and the opening nine minutes of the second half was much the same, with both teams playing extremely even.

The Hornets led 53 to 52 with 9:10 remaining in the second half when Bulldog Kyan Blomquist broke away for a thunderous dunk, igniting the crowd and the Bulldog comeback.  Big Lake would only led briefly one more time, 58 to 57, with about 8 minutes left in the game.

Becker went ahead for good when Alex Weiss drove the lane for a bucket “and-one” - ultimately hitting the free throw - and the three point play gave Becker the lead for good at 60-58 with 7:18 left in the game.

Becker built its biggest lead of the game with 5:11 remaining in the game as they pulled ahead 68 to 60.

However, the Hornets kept it close by pulling to within four points several times, only to be answered by a big Bulldog bucket every time to secure the win. Bulldog Mitchell Soltau twice stemmed the Hornet tide with layups at around the 2:00 mark to help Becker cling to the M8 Conference win.

Big Lake scoring: Trevor Maruska 13 (5 steals), Carson Kunz 21, Mitchell Hill 16, Owen Layton 7 (10 rebounds), Owen Wilczek 10, Isaiah Terlinden 5.

Becker scoring: Ryan Bengtson 1, Alex Weiss 10, Kevin Vogl 2, Kyan Blomquist 13 (9 rebounds, 5 assists), Sawyer Brown 6, Julia Hendricks 18 (5 rebounds), Brady Paumen 23 (9 rebounds), Mitchell Soltau 6.