The Becker girls basketball team played outstanding basketball despite losing two games while winning one this week. The two losses were against quality teams and Head Coach Dan Baird is sure the losses can be made into valuable learning lessons.

 

Most recently, the Lady Bulldogs gained their 18th win by smoking Little Falls by 51.

 

 

The Bulldogs defeated the Little Falls Flyers 72-21 to improve to 9-0 in the Granite Ridge Conference. 

 

Adeline Kent led Becker in scoring with 16 points to go with three rebounds and three steals.  Julia Bengtson added 14 points to go with eight rebounds, five assists, two steals, and zero turnovers.  

 

“Jules had a fabulous game,” said Baird. “These two (Bengtson and Kent) had some amazing passes and finishes to each other, and continue to feed off one another and provide excellent play from the guard position.”  

 

Becker shot 56% for the game to Little Falls’ 29%.  Becker committed just seven turnovers yo Little Falls’ 29.  

 

Becker scoring: Kent 16, Bengtson 14, Courtney Nuest 7, Lexi Masog 7, Megan Gamble 6, Ayla Brown 5, Maren Westin 5, Alayna Lindquist 4, Dani Nuest 3, Jackie Yoerg 3 and Alexis Goebel 2.

 

Little Falls scoring:  Taylor Jordan 7, Ellie Smieja 6, Kendal Swantek 4, Rachel Witucki 2, Abby Poser 1 and Samantha Tembreull 1.

 

The win moved Becker to 18-4 overall while Little Falls slipped to 2-20.  

 

 

The Bulldogs were defeated by the Hopkins Royals 89-54  Monday night on the road.  

 

Hopkins is rated the top team in the state and #20 in the country (Max Preps).  

 

“We had the lead early in the game, and our girls came out with a lot of energy energizing the crowd,” said Baird. “However, Hopkins proved to be too much.  I was impressed with how they hit contested shots.  All their girls are so skilled and could shoot (37-57,65% for the game).” 

 

Paige Bueckers, the #1 rated junior in the country, led the Royals with 26 points.  Dylayla Chakolis, D-1 Hampton recruit, scored 12 points.  

 

Becker was led in scoring by Kent's 19 points.  

 

“Addy played incredible against great competition,” said Baird. “She had Paige's undivided attention.”

 

Kent also had five rebounds and two assists.  

 

Bengtson handled the pressure at the point guard extremely well tallying 10 points and 10 rebounds while playing tough.

 

Becker shot 44% and out-rebounded the Royals 30-29 — even though they were way undersized.  

 

“Our girls competed and played with a lot of heart,” Baird said.  “I'm very proud of them and it was a great learning experience that will make us a better team in the long run.”

 

Becker fell to 17-4 on the season where the Royals improved to 22-0.

 

Becker scoring:  Kent 19, Gamble 11, Bengtson 10, Courtney Nuest 6, Dani Nuest 4, Masog 2 and Lindquist 2.

 

Hopkins scoring:  Buckers 26, Maya Nnaji 14, Chakolis 12, Taylor Woodson 10, Amaya Battle 10, Kayla Adams 8, Kelly Boyle 4, Alayna Contreras 4  and Sunaya Agara .

 

 

The Bulldogs lost a heartbreaker last Saturday night, 67-66, to the Alexandria Cardinals at the Breakdown's Winter Classic held in Alexandria.  

 

Becker stormed out to a 40-28 lead at halftime behind great defense.  

 

The second half was a different story.  

 

Alexandria spent the entire half chipping away at the lead until they got within one at 66-65 after a clutch corner three by Senior Emily Jones.  Mackenzie Duwenhoegger put Alexandria ahead 67-66 with about 27 seconds remaining.

 

Becker had three missed shots and one turnover down the stretch, but had some decent chances to take home the win. 

 

“Alexandria just made the plays down the stretch and we did not,” said Becker’s head coach.  “It was an extremely fun game and great atmosphere once again.  We'll continue to learn from these close competitive games and a game like this will prepare us for section play.”  

 

Becker was led by Courtney Nuest, who had probably her best game of the season.  Nuest scored 25 points to go with five rebounds and six steals.  She shot 10-16 from the field for an efficiency rating of 24 to lead the Bulldogs.  

 

Alexandria was led by Emily Jones's 16 points.

 

“Kaye Paschka played excellent defense on Jules (Bengtson) and scored 14 points herself, but more importantly created a tempo that Alexandria was comfortable with,” said Baird.

 

Becker scoring:  Courtney Nuest 25, Bengtson 12, Kent 8, Gamble 8, Dani Nuest 7 and Masog 6.

 

Alexandria scoring:  Jones 16, Paschka 14, Ella Grove 12, Duwenhoegger 8, Tessa McGrane 6, Jaya Hatlestad 6, Alayna Strand 3 and Sadie Boraas 2.

 

With the loss,  Becker fell to 17-3, where Alexandria improved to 17-3 with the win.