by Tad Heitkamp, Head Coach
The Blue Titans Take Down The Blue Dragons
On January 21st, 2020, the JV Blue Dragons played host to the Tea Titans. In the opening boy’s game, the Titans didn’t take long to flex their muscles as they defeated the home team 61-25.
“We came out flat right from the start and we were never able to recover,” stated Heitkamp. “We showed some fight at times, but we were never able to get things rolling in the right direction.”
Cooper Long was the game’s high scorer with 10 points, while Cadyn Ockenga collected 5 points of his own. Evan Bly and Isaiah Gnadt contributed with 3 points each, as Sam Schleuter and Brady Debates finished the night with 2 points.
Unfortunately, the night didn’t get any better for the Blue Dragons as Tea routed the home team 81-36 in varsity action. The opening quarter set the tone for the whole evening as the Blue Dragons could only account for 3 points, while giving up 22.
“We didn’t have much fight in us tonight,” said Coach Heitkamp. “We had way too many turnovers and didn’t capitalize on our scoring opportunities. When you are playing a team
like Tea...you need to be ready to play an entire 32 minutes, which we just didn’t do tonight.” Josef Zahn (4 rebounds) was the leading scorer with 15 points, as Jake Schroeder and Cooper Long pitched in with 6 points each. Hayden Olofson (2 assists), Lucas Fitzgerald, Sam Schleuter, and Evan Bly all collected 2 points, while Cole Skadsen rounded out the scoring with 1 point.
The Blue Dragons Battle The Luverne Cardinals
The Blue Dragons played a little “Border Battle” game with the Luverne Cardinals on January 23rd, 2020. In the JV match-up the Blue Dragons used some timely shooting and solid defense to take down the Cardinals 30-26.
“I was very proud of these guys on how well they played on the defensive side of the ball tonight. We didn’t give them many second opportunities, which is always a great recipe to success,” stated Heitkamp. “We did have some mental lapses from time to time, but we were able to overcome them at the end.”
Cooper Long once again led the way in the scoring column with 14 points, while Sam Schleuter dented the nets for 7 points of his own. Cadyn Ockenga, Isaiah Gnadt, Brady Debates, and Clay Lardy all chipped in with 2 points, as Triston Rekstad finished the night with 1 point.
In the varsity showdown the Blue Dragons came out firing on all cylinders the first two quarters.
“We played arguably our best basketball of the season the first 16 minutes of this game,” said Heitkamp. “We attacked the rim with an attitude and confidence we haven’t seen in previous games. The kids were playing suffocating defense, which led to easy transition scoring opportunities.”
The Blue Dragons took a 28 to 19 lead into halftime. “We talked to the kids at the half about going out and winning the game, but it was going to take another 16 minutes of solid team basketball.”
Unfortunately, the visiting team didn’t want to throw in the towel as they scorched the net for 21 3rd quarter points, putting the Blue Dragons down 40-38 at the end of the 3rd stanza. The Blue Dragons continued to work hard for the final 8 minutes, but fell short as Luverne defeated the home team 56-48.
“I was so proud how we battled tonight. We never gave up and that is all I can ask for from a coaching stand point.”
Josef Zahn (7 rebounds) had the hot hand for the Blue Dragons as he lit up the score board with 17 points, while Jake Schroeder (6 rebounds and 4 assists) collected 9 points of his own.
Dylan Kindt (6 rebounds) and Cole Skadsen knocked down 7 and 6 points, Cooper Long and Hayden Olofson rounded out the scoring with 5 and 4 points respectively.
Trey Buckneberg had a solid night with 9 rebounds and 2 steals.
Vermillion Defeats The Blue Dragons
The Blue Dragons took to the road on January 24th, 2020, to take on the Tanagers from Vermillion.
The host team took it to the Blue Dragons right from the tip and never looked back, defeating the Blue Dragons 65-33.
“The bottom line...we didn’t match the intensity Vermillion brought to the floor this evening, which was evident on the scoreboard,” stated Heitkamp. Cooper Long led the way for the Blue Dragons with 9 points, as Jake Schroeder (3 assists) hit for 6 points.
Hayden Olofson and Cole Skadsen chipped in with 4 points each, while Evan Bly and Josef Zahn added 3 points of their own.
Sam Schleuter and Trey Buckneberg (4 rebounds and 2 assists) respectively finished the night with 2 points apiece.
