BP remains undefeated

Blooming Prairie boys basketball remained undefeated through three games after beating JWP in the team’s lone action last week.

The Awesome Blossoms looked sharp throughout the tight 57-54 win and learned a lot about themselves in the process.

“Coming into tonight we knew that JWP was a very good team. They have a lot of good shooters and just basketball players in general. We knew we were going to have to play good basketball, and I’m proud of the way our guys played tonight. Especially in the later game situations, we took some good shots and executed well,” said Blooming Prairie head coach Cam Rutledge.

Blooming Prairie’s stingy zone defense made the difference for the Awesome Blossoms in the first half by holding JWP largely in check en route to leading 29-22 at the half.

The Awesome Blossoms’ seven-point edge didn’t last long into the second half after the Bulldogs hit the court running with some solid three-point shooting.

Runs owned the game down the stretch and Blooming Prairie found itself leading by just one point with minutes left to play.

Key free throws and some clutch shooting by the Awesome Blossoms staved off the Bulldogs for the majority of the half, but with just under 30 seconds remaining, JWP had the opportunity to tie the game down 57-54.

The Bulldogs passed the ball around the arc to find an open look and lobbed a shot with 10 seconds left in the game.

The initial shot did not find its mark, but an offensive rebound by JWP gave the Bulldogs one more chance at extending the game.

JWP put up another shot but once again, the Bulldogs’ dreams were dashed by a miss.

One final rebound by Blooming Prairie ended the game before excited chaos ensued amongst the Awesome Blossoms’ student section.

Blooming Prairie guard Brady Kittelson led the team with 20 points, while forward Gabe Hein trailed close behind with 17.

Rutledge’s squad has shown fans so far that the Awesome Blossoms could be real contenders in the Gopher East Division, and the team’s three straight wins to start undefeated is the best start amongst all teams in the division.

Blooming Prairie faced Randolph on Tuesday, Dec. 19; however, stats and results from the game were not available at press time.

Up next for the Awesome Blossoms is a home game against Wabasha-Kellogg on Thursday, Dec. 21 at 7:15 p.m.

Player Stats

vs. JWP

                        P

Kittelson     20

G. Hein       17

Staloch       14

Z. Hein        4

Cooke         2