2011 Class A Championship

Its Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa vs Springfield for the 2011 Class A Title.  BBE trying to be the state only undefeated team in the 2010-2011 season.  It would be the school's 1st state title in any sport.  Springfield was upset in the state quarterfinals in 2010.

Its a day of zone with Springfield playing 2-3 and BBE staying with their 1-3-1.  Kevin Kuefler off to another good start for BBE with a runout for 2, a putback and a he takes a charge on behemoth Tyler Marz.   Both teams really cold but BBE is crashing the glass to stay close.  Jesse Kieper with 5 in a row for a 5 point Springfield lead.  Tyler Marz on the offensive glass for 1 putback and may have been hacked on another and that has the Springfield crowd and bench in an uproar.   Marz with go to the bench with 2 fouls at the 4:31 mark but he'll return with 2:11 left in the half with a 23-22 lead.  I'm thinking it may have been better to save him.  He sets a big screen for an Alex Fink 3.  Then a turnover and Kieper's back to the line for a free throw that makes the lead 5.  Connor Goodwin back to back hoops for BBE in the last minute and a BBE desperation heave is just off at the horn.  Springfield 27-26 at the half.  Kevin Kuefler 14 and 12.  Jesse Kieper 14.  BBE 28-16 on the glass with 14 of those offensive for 14 points.  Teams combine for 23-64 shooting (35.9%).

Springfield takes a turnover the other way as Kieper converts again.  33-26 with 16:21 for the biggest Springfield lead and the crowd is on its feet.  Timeout by BBE to stop the bleeding.  Kuefler coast to coast and its an 8-0 run to put BBE back on top.  The run is 10-0 in 3 and a half after a Goodwin putback, 36-33 BBE with 12:50 left and now Springfield needs a timeout.  Alex Fink with a pretty bounce pass to Dillon Schultz for a layup and Schultz for 3.  41-36 Tigers after their 8-0 run out of the timeout, 10:45 left.  BBE out of their 1-3-1 to a 1-2-2 zone.  A scramble and Springfield misses an open 3. Kuefler skies for the rebound and a great outlet for a Brian Goodwin layup before another Schultz 3.  47-41 Tigers with 7:50 left.   BBE back to the 1-3-1.  It generates a turnover for a layup and Marz is mugged on the other end.  Springfield coach in the official's ear at the TV timeout and the other 2 refs giving each other mutual support.  47-44 Springfield with 6:38 left.  Kieper with a deep 3 and a Schultz putback 3 point play.  4:19 left and the lead is back to 7, 53-46.  Front end for BBE is no good and Springfield converts that for a 9 point lead.  That's 2-10 FTs and 0-15 from 3 for BBE.  BBE finally hits their 1st 3 with 3:08 left and Kuefler with a swat but he gets blocked by Cody Milbrath on the other end.  57-51 BBE down and an offensive rebound sends Connor Goodwin to the line but he misses the front end.  Brian Goodwin for 3 with 1:51 left and BBE cuts the gap to 5, 59-54.

Jesse Kieper leads Springfield with 25 points.  Dillon Schultz shows up big with 17 and 7.  Tyler Marz 7 points and 12 boards.  For BBE, Kevin Kuefler was my class A MVP.  He finishes 20 points and 20 rebounds (8 offensive).  Post Connor Goodwin another double double of 12 and 13 for BBE.  Game stats again are really ugly.  BBE 27-80 shooting (2-27 from 3), 2-11 FTs.  They won the rebounding battle 56-47 with 26 offensive boards for 26 points to stay in it.  Springfield 22-59 and 6-18 from 3 but they were 20-29 at the line.

All-Tournament Team Ballot
Kevin Kuefler - BBE (MVP)
Connor Goodwin - BBE
Brady Koehler - BBE
Brian Goodwin - BBE (replaced by Tyler Simonson from Chisholm on the official team)
Alex Fink - Springfield
Jesse Kieper - Springfield
Tyler Marz - Springfield (replaced by Cody Milbrath on official team)
Seth Hinrichs - MACCRAY
Brady Boike - MACCRAY
Adam Vake - Chisholm (replaced by Aden Casey)