Blossoms bounce back after consecutive losses

After setting a school record for the best start of a season with a 17-game winning streak, Blooming Prairie dropped back-to-back games to Winona Cotter and Kenyon-Wanamingo before finishing last week back on track with a win over Randolph.

The Awesome Blossoms fell 61-60 against the Winona Cotter Ramblers for their first loss of the day after beating USC 68-60.

Winona Cotter edged out the Awesome Blossoms 31-30 through the first half and held on for the win by matching Blooming Prairie’s 30 points in the second half.

Two days later, Blooming Prairie started its first losing streak by dropping a 73-60 game to Kenyon-Wanamingo.

The Knights came out shooting hot and matched the Awesome Blossoms’ high-octane offense by outscoring the visiting Blossoms 39-37 at the half.

While the Knights’ consistent scoring continued into the second half, Blooming Prairie was held largely in check for the remaining 18 minutes.

Kenyon-Wanamingo went on to outscore Blooming Prairie 34-23 in the second half to win by 13 points.

Instead of crumbling under the pressure of heightened expectations with the team’s tremendous start, the Awesome Blossoms found their groove again in a 72-49 win over Randolph to end the week.

Head coach Cam Rutledge’s team faced some scoring struggles again in the first half but still managed to build a 30-23 lead.

The second half was where Blooming Prairie began to shine.

While Randolph improved its scoring total to 49 points at the buzzer, Blooming Prairie exploded for 42 second-half points to win 72-49.

The dynamic duo of brothers Gabe and Zach Hein linked up for 40 combined points, with each scoring an even 20.

Blooming Prairie’s win improved the team’s record to 18-2 overall.

Rutledge’s team currently sits atop the Gopher East Division with a 5-1 in-conference record, but Kenyon-Wanamingo is keeping the race close with an equal conference record.

Up next for Blooming Prairie is a road matchup against Bethlehem Academy scheduled for Friday, Feb. 9 at 7:15 p.m.

Player Stats

vs. Randolph

                        P

G. Hein                  20

Z. Hein                   20

Kittelson                14

Staloch                  10

Cooke                    3

Garcia-Ramirez   3

Vigeland                1

Bishop                   1