REFLECTIONS

It was a truly amazing and gratifying season for the 2023-24 edition of the Blooming Prairie boys basketball team.

The stinging 47-44 loss at the hands of the Goodhue Wildcats saw a long season quickly turn into a short season for the Blossoms on March 14.

The Blossoms fell at the hands of a nasty defense the Goodhue Wildcats employed in a 1A championship game at the Mayo Arena. Blooming Prairie saw an opportunity to play in the state tournament slip away at the hands of the Wildcats.

How do you write the epilogue to a 2023-24 season that was one for the history books?

Paint the season extremely successful, even though there was a slight blemish at the end.

The best way to describe the 2023-24 Awesome Blossom season would be to use the word EXCITING.

Other words come to mind: thrilling, nailbiting, rewarding, fun, breathtaking, inspiring, exhilarating, enthralling, hair-raising and riveting.

Even more words from the English language could come to mind.

These words all point to a wonderful and beautiful season. A loss is a loss and can be a bitter pill to swallow but put it aside and look forward.

Nobody on the Blooming Prairie side of the ball needs to hang their heads. Congratulation boys! Congrats are also due the coaches and the supportive fan base.

Enjoy the many successes of the season. The “W” is most important in sports. This time around, the “W” belongs to the Wildcats. Keep the chin high. The sun will rise again in the East.

Thanks go to seniors Kolby Vigeland, Gabe Hein, Tyler Forystek, Eric Garcia-Ramirez, Zach Hein and Dylan Anderson.

Returning next year will be juniors Brady Kittelson, Cole Wangen, Jack Bruns, Cooper Cooke and Carter Bishop; sophomores Carsten Ingvalson, Bradley Boyd and Brady Johnson and ninth grader Gabe Staloch.

Also due a huge thank you for their efforts during the years were Head Coach Camron Rutledge, Assistant Coach Andrew Hardecopf and Assistant Coach Kobe Foster, student managers Annaka Forsberg and Elizabeth Miner.

Put a stamp on it, The Awesome Blossoms will remain a power of Section 1.

The outdoor courts were busy this week with the dribbling of a basketball heard throughout Blooming Prairie. Be PROUD!