BP off to best start in school history
Blooming Prairie’s Gabe Hein throws down a vicious two-hand slam against USC last week. Hein had 21 points in the Awesome Blossoms’ home win. Staff photo by Johnnie Phillips
Blooming Prairie boys’ basketball may have suffered its first loss of the season in a heartbreaking 61-60 loss to Winona-Cotter last weekend, but the blemish is hardly noticeable on the Awesome Blossoms’ dazzling 17-1 record.
In fact, Blooming Prairie’s 17-game winning streak to kick off the season set a new school record for the best start in school history.
“This is a great group of guys. You saw it in the stands tonight. People are starting to recognize that this is a special team. They’re a lot of fun to watch, so we hope to keep bringing everyone back out game after game,” said Blooming Prairie head coach Cam Rutledge.
The Awesome Blossoms’ loss to Winona Cotter was a close one the whole way through, with the opposition leading 31-30 at halftime before edging out a one-point win at the buzzer.
Greatly hampering Blooming Prairie’s chances at the win was an uncharacteristic night from behind the three-point line.
The Awesome Blossoms made just one three-point field goal the entire game compared to Winona-Cotter’s nine successful attempts.
Awesome Blossom standout athlete Gabe Hein led the squad with 23 points.
The day prior, Blooming Prairie earned a hard-fought 68-60 win over USC.
Rutledge’s squad brought the fight to the Rebels and broke away for a 37-29 lead at halftime, but the Rebels would not go away easy.
USC benefitted from multiple runs in the second half and even tied the game at 45-45 at one point before a timely run by the Awesome Blossoms began to put the game out of reach.
Blooming Prairie’s Hein led the way for the home squad with 21 points, but it was hardly a one-man show.
Guards Brady Kittelson and Gabe Staloch both added 15 points apiece, and forward Zach Hein added some clutch shots to score 12 points of his own.
Blooming Prairie fans packed into the gym were delighted to watch their team win in what has quickly become Steele County’s hottest ticket of the winter season.
The Awesome Blossoms are currently ranked sixth in the state for Class A and continue to show that they could be a serious contender for a section title and state playoff berth.
Blooming Prairie will look to re-enter the win column when the Awesome Blossoms host the Randolph Rockets on Friday, Feb. 2, at 7:15 p.m.
|
Team |
1st |
2nd |
Final |
|
USC |
29 |
31 |
60 |
|
Blooming Prairie |
37 |
31 |
68 |
Player Stats
vs. USC
P
G. Hein 21
Kittelson 15
Staloch 15
Z. Hein 12
Pauly 5