Blossoms down Tigers

Fifty percent shooting from the field and an edge in rebounding gave the Blossom boys a 77-58 win over Medford Friday, Dec.  9 in Medford.  The victory gave the locals a split for the week and a 2-2 record for the young season.
Blooming Prairie jumped to a 40-29 lead at the half on some hot shooting by the Blossoms. BP made 28 of 55 attempts for the game, including 6 of 9 from Gabe Hagen, 5 of 8 from Seth Bedenbaugh, and 7 of 12 from game-high scorer Jake Ressler. 
He led the scoring with 19 points, and Max Romeo followed right behind with 18. Hagen and Bedenbaugh both counted 12 points.   Hagen and Bedenbaugh led the team in rebounds with 7, but Ressler and Ben Smith both contributed 5, and Kaden Thomas added 4. Cameron Kubista had 4 assists, and Hagen helped out with 3.   The team controlled the ball better, as well, turning the ball over only 15 times. 
Goodhue controls Blossoms
Goodhue used a ball control game to defeatthe Blossoms 54-41 on the Goodhue court Tuesday, Dec. 6.  The deliberate style of play proved very effective, especially in the second half, when the Blossoms managed just 10 points.

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An evenly played first half resulted in a narrow 35-31 margin for the home team, but the control game took over for the Wildcats and stymied the Blossoms throughout.   Goodhue did not do any prolific scoring in the second half either, but they went long periods without a shot, and the patience usually resulted in a basket.

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“Actually, it was a fairly close game,” remarked Blossom Coach Nate Piller.
“Especially in the first half, but after the Wildcats got a lead, they did a good job being patient and controlling the tempo the second half.  We couldn’t get the ball often enough,” he added. 
Jake Ressler scored 10 points, but no other Blossom could count more than 6 points in the game. Kaden Thomas and Cory Rafdal both had 6 points. 
Jacob McNamara and Mitchell Hemenway scored 16 and 14 points to lead all scorers, and Tyler Buck added 7 points for the winners.  The home team outrebounded the Blossoms and also had fewer turnovers.
Coach Brian Nelson’s. JV team surprised Goodhue with 40-28 victory in the prelim.  The locals had a little trouble with the trapping defense by the Wildcats, but the Blossoms were still able to control the game.  
Trent Swenson and Gabe Hagen counted 9 and 8 points for the Blossoms. Cory Wagaman stood out on defense with his hardnosed play.