What a run.

 

There was no head hanging or crying following last Saturday’s state championship loss to DeLaSalle. Becker’s Lady Bulldogs kept their chins up, acknowledged they were beat by the better team and stood with pride as they received their runner-up trophy and medals.

 

One could tell they felt this wasn’t the last time they’d be on the court playing for a title.

 

The Bulldogs, whose starting five include four sophomores and a freshman, played valiantly and sometimes brilliantly as they marched through a 27-4 season and  a 5-1 section and state playoff run. They lost, however, to the Islanders by a score of 56-40.

 

DeLaSalle — who in their own right are a very young team — was no match for Becker last weekend as their height and girth  wreaked havoc on Becker’s smaller-sized girls. A trio of six-footers -- Nora Francois, sister Mary Claire and Nurjei Weems -- asserted themselves on offense and defense.

 

The Islanders’ long arms and quickness also caused problems for the Bulldogs as they struggled to find passing lanes and open areas on the floor.

 

“All five of their kids have long arms and are extremely active,” Baird said. “It was hard for us to get in a groove all game.”

 

DeLaSalle forced 11 turnovers in the first half and turned them into 14 points.

 

The game was physical too and DeLaSalle appeared to garner no-calls from the referees as they threw their size around under the basket.

 

But Becker played with class — no squabbling with the refs and no questioning each other. Becker’s girls looked overmatched towards the end of the game but for the most part, they hung in with the super-sized Islanders for most of the game.

 

As was typical in several of Becker’s playoff games, the Bulldog girls got off to a slow start and had to put the pedal to the metal to get back in the contest.

 

DeLaSalle started with mostly man-to-man defense, shadowing Becker shooters on the perimeter and running occasional double-teams at standout guard Julia Bengtson.

 

Bengtson and Courtney Nuest combined for 16 of their team’s first-half points.

 

When the going got tough inside, Becker spread the ball to the perimeter, but the typically efficient long-range shooting fell to the wayside. Becker finished the game 4-for-18 (22 percent) on three-pointers after making more than 50 percent of their threes in the quarterfinals and semifinals.

 

No. 1 seeded DeLaSalle (24-5) led from the beginning and despite a courageous comeback by Becker, led 31-22 at halftime on the strength of superior inside scoring (22-6) and points off turnovers (14-3).

 

Showing life to start the second half, Becker scored seven consecutive points to get within two. The surge, featuring an Adeline Kent three-pointer, cut the Bulldogs’ deficit to 31-29.

 

“We had chances to tie or take the lead but we didn’t capitalize,” said Baird. “It seemed like throughout the entire season we were able to impose our will on other teams, and it got reversed today.”

 

The Islanders responded with a scoring spurt of their own in the waning minutes of the game to put the title in their back pockets. With a commanding 50-36 lead, Coach Tanysha Scott began emptying her bench and giving her seniors a chance to bask in the glory. DeLaSalle senior Mary Claire Francois hugged her sophomore sister, Nora and junior star Weems joined in — beaming with joy.

 

And Becker? They proudly walked off the court to allow the Islanders their time in the spotlight. They high-fived and patted each other on the back and Becker’s coaches and fans gave them a well-deserved salute.

 

With their youth and ever-growing talent, the spotlight just might shine on the Bulldogs next year.

 

Courtney Nuest led the Bulldogs with 11 points. DeLaSalle’s Nora Francois led the Islanders with 14.

 

C. Nuest, Bengtson and Kent were named to the all-tournament team along with seven other players.