The third time really was the charm.  After losing in the state title game two years ago to De La Salle and having last year’s rematch with the Islanders canceled due to the pandemic, the Becker Bulldog girls basketball team wasn’t about to let a third shot at a state title slip away.  Last Friday, they showed that they are the best team in Class AAA as they defeated the Marshall Tigers, 70-58, to bring home the state championship trophy.

Two years ago, the Bulldogs needed a buzzer beating 3-point shot by then Sophomore Courtney Nuest to down Marshall 68-67 in the state quarterfinals, but this year the Bulldogs were on a mission to ensure it wasn’t that close.

Both teams feature a wide open style of play, preferring the transition game and full court pressure.  Friday night, Becker was simply better at executing its game plan.

“I thought we did an excellent job breaking Marshall’s 1-2-2 press which is what they’re known for,” Head Coach Dan Baird said.  “Then our girls were able to drive and kick, and we hit shots.”

The Bulldogs certainly did hit their shots, as Becker enjoyed a huge advantage from beyond the three point arc, shooting 7-for-19, compared to the Tigers’ 1-for-10 performance.

The first half of the championship game was an even affair until the final few minutes, as Becker led 21-20 before going on one of its trademark runs, this one a 16-4 advantage, to carve out a 37-24 halftime lead.

Becker came out on fire in the second half and Marshall never fully recovered, although they did make several comeback attempts and were able to get as close as 6 points with just over 8 minutes left in the game.

However, the scoring mentality and defensive mindset of the Bulldogs was too much for the Tigers to overcome.

Reflecting the team’s aggressive style of play, Becker used a big advantage at the free throw line to keep the Tigers at bay, making 17 of 20 shots, while Marshall made 7 of 9.

Becker’s bench outscored Marshall’s 24-0, again proving that the Bulldogs’ depth was a key in the team’s success.  Eight Bulldog players were in double digits for minutes played, while the Tigers had 5 — as Becker’s bench played 42 minutes to Marshall’s 15.

“Coming off the bench my mindset was to be ready to go in and help my teammates in any way, whether that was by getting to the hoop or playing defense,” said Ayla Brown, who, along with Maren Westin, chipped in 12 points off the bench.  “I see my role as a defender and as someone who can come in and play solid defense and get stops, along with just giving the other girls energy off the bench.”

Baird agreed that his team’s bench was the key factor in the game, as he has known all year that his reserve players are just as good if not better than many team’s starters.

“The difference in the game was our bench,” Baird added.   “It was a great team win against a fantastic program.” 

Senior Julia Bengtson led the scoring effort with 20 points and provided steady leadership in her fifth year as a starter for the team.

In the game, Bengtson also became the all time leading scorer in school history (see related story).

Becker finished its dream season with a record of 19-3 and in the process handed the Tigers their first loss of the season (22-1).  Becker will lose six very talented and dedicated Seniors to graduation, but will also return a core group that will make the Bulldogs a dangerous team again next year.

For now, the players, coaches and entire community will savor the state title by thinking about two key words: Mission Accomplished. 

Becker scoring: Adeline Kent 12, Maren Westin 12, Courtney Nuest 7 (6 rebounds, 4 assists), Julia Bengtson 20, Megan Gamble 7, Ayla Brown 12.