Following a runner-up finish at state last March means the Becker girls basketball team will have a target on their backs as they try and make it back to the courts at the UofM to win one more game than last year and claim a state title.

Coach Dan Baird’s squad went 27-5 in 2018-19 and he was named Breakdown Sports U.S.A.’s coach of the year. Baird returns all five starters from a year ago and the expectations for this year’s team is really high.

“Our top eight players return from last season and our depth is excellent,” said Baird. “Our team strengths include quickness, skill level and depth.”

Three of Baird’s starters averaged double-digit scoring last year. Julia Bengtson notched 17.6 ppg, Adeline Kent 16.9 ppg and Courtney Nuest 10.6 ppg.  

“Maren Westin has all the tools to be one of our leading scorers as well,” said Baird.

Thirty-five girls came out for basketball this year in grades 9-12, which is eight more than last year.  Baird has 12 girls that made the varsity team including Bengtson, Nuest, Kent, Westin, Aly Gruenes, Alayna Lindquist, Whitney Schug, Dani Nuest, Megan Gamble, Jackie Yoerg, Jenna Mittelstaedt and Ayla Brown.

Gruenes and Mittelstaedt are the sole seniors on the squad.

Baird has no new changes to his coaching staff. Dom Squires remains as coach of JV. Alyssa Stevens is coaching the C team. Scott Gudmundson and Hokan Bengtson are volunteer varsity assistants.

“We got new practice uniforms this year,” said Baird.  “The girls are excited because they are able to “roll” their shorts. I don’t get it but it means a lot to them I guess.”  

For scheduling, the Lady Bulldogs have been invited to be in six Breakdown Tournament games which is a big deal for competition and his players getting noticed by college recruiting.

Coming into the 2019-20 season, Baird says he has realistic expectations in competing for the conference title with Cambridge, the section title with Willmar and competing for the state title with DeLasalle and Holy Angels.  

“If healthy, we’ll win a lot of our games (mid 20’s again I imagine), but more importantly we just want to improve each and every day,” he says.  “We’re a way better team than last year.  Our girls worked hard in the offseason to improve their individual skill sets and strength.  Now, we just have to perform and stay healthy and hungry.”

Despite the team’s optimism, Becker has some formidible foes on their schedule (they already faced Hopkins, a state-ranked team and lost 77-39) and will be challenged to supercede last year’s success.

“Hopkins is arguably the best team in the country,” said Baird.  “Our girls competed to the end.  I don’t know if anybody in the state can play at their level.”  

Baird says they have nine girls going D-1.  

“I loved the way our girls battled.  Our message is that we started the year on the big stage, and we want to end the season on the big stage.”  

Baird says Hopkins does a great job of playing “in your face” defense.  

“It was great to learn from them.  In life, there’s most likely going to always be someone better.  It was nice to see where we need to improve.  As a coaching staff, we were surprised by how good they were.  Hopkins, believe it or not, is better than they were last season when they finished 32-0 and ranked #5 in the country.”

Upcoming, Becker is set to test the waters in a holiday tournament  at St. Cloud Apollo.

“In the Christmas tourney, we play Spring Lake Park, who is a good AAAA team,” said Baird.  Cambridge is favored to go to state in their AAAA section and beat us by one last year.  Those two games with them will be battles.”  

“Willmar in our section is always tough as Dustin Carlson does a great job dictating tempo with the team’s gap defense.”

Baird has so much depth with his young stars, he sometimes finds it hard to give equal playing time to his players while pressing to win games.

“We talk a lot about roles and sacrificing for others,” said Baird.  “We’d hope they would all buy into it.  If that can happen, it has the potential to be a special season again.”

Up Next

Becker’s next was Friday at Zimmerman followed by a road game at Apollo Thursday.