The Bulldog girls basketball team went 2-1 this week with wins over Duluth East and Little Falls and a loss to Sartell-St. Stephens.
Becker 54, Duluth East 42
The Bulldogs took on the Greyhounds of Duluth East in a matinee game Saturday and won by 12. The game featured a half-time introduction of several alumni players from over the years including a number of players from Becker’s 2007 team who captured the state title under Coach Justin Hegna.
Assistant Coach Scott Brake organized the weekend reunion of the championship team as well as all other basketball alumni from over the years. Some came Friday and some came Saturday and some came for both days.
Saturday’s game featured a well-balanced attack from Becker with six players scoring seven points each in Courtney Nuest, Lexi Masog, Julia Bengtson, Renee Tripp, Claire Thorn and Madi Kerzman.
“We are starting to figure some things out defensively as a group,” said Head Coach Dan Baird. “Claire has been doing a nice job protecting the basket for us. Our team man-to-man defense is improving, and we're getting better with the 2-2-1 press because we have some quick athletic players.”
Becker was 13-for-25 from the foul line as their aggressive, attacking style got them there.
Duluth East was led by Ashley Williams and her 17 points.
Becker scoring: Nuest 7, Masog 7, Bengtson 7, Tripp 7, Thorn 7, Kerzman 7 and Cayla Paumen 3.
Duluth East scoring: Williams 17, Erin Teichroew 7, Samantha Velander 7, Macy Hermanson 6 and Miia Marple 5.
Sartell-St. Stephen 54, Becker 45
Tuesday night, the Bulldogs hosted the Sabres and played a solid game, but came away with a nine-point loss.
“We really had one of our best defensive games of the season against a really good team,” said Coach Baird. “We struggled finishing shots at the basket and collectively, as a team, it hurt us.”
The Bulldogs got balanced scoring as Kerzman and Nuest each had 10 points. Bengtson and Thorn each added nine apiece.
“Claire was relentless on the boards and really competed against the Sabres,” said Baird. “Courtney did a nice job sparking the Bulldogs and hitting timely outside shots.”
Sartell (10-6) was led by Lexie Winter, who scored 18 points. Addy DeMaine added 13 points.
Bulldog scoring: Kerzman 10, Nuest 10, Thorn 9, Bengtson 9, Haley Benda 3, Alayna Lindquist 2 and Tripp 2.
Sabres scoring: Winter 18, DeMaine 13, Jayla Ellis 6, Megan Sieben 6, Emily Driste 3, Madalyn Schnetter 3, Emma Larson 2, Meleah Gunderson 2 and Courtney Deters 1.
Becker 66, Little Falls 43
Becker came out a little slow, but turned up the heat late to beat the Flyers of Little Falls by 23 points Thursday at home.
The Bulldogs were led by Bengtson's 17 points and her excellent point guard play. Thorn had an excellent game defensively, getting rebounds and blocking shots to go along with her nine points.
“Claire is playing really well as we head into the home stretch,” said Baird.
Masog came off the bench to hit three, cold-blooded three pointers to spark the Bulldogs.
“Tonight's game was a battle,” said the head coach. “We didn't start well early but got sparks from multiple players on the bench.”
Baird said he was pleased with how his squad played good basketball and passed well against their defense in the second half, leading to open shots which his team knocked down.
Little Falls was led by Sophia Sowada with 11 points.
“She's a tough player to defend, because she's strong and skilled,” said Baird. “Tripp did an excellent job containing her.”
Becker scoring: Bengtson 17, Masog 9, Thorn 9, Nuest 7, McKenna Anderson 5, Benda 5, Lindquist 4, Jenna Middlestaedt 4, Kerzman 4 and Tripp 2.
Little Falls scoring: Sowada 11, Melissa Geisenhof 10, Kacy Steinmetz 5, Erika Bassett 4, Kali Mammenga 4, Destiny Young 3, Rachel Tembreull 3, Allie Steinmetz 2 and Taylor Jordan 1.
Becker moved to 6-11 overall and 4-4 in the Conference.
Up Next
The Lady Bulldogs host Rocori Saturday afternoon, then Mora Tuesday before hitting the road to Milaca Thursday to take on the Wolves.
