"The Hive" is what they call the sports venue in Perham. Makes sense, 'cause the Perham sports nickname is "Yellowjackets." We have learned of "killer hornets" getting established in the U.S. Perhaps that's a candidate for a school nickname like for a school under pressure to shed its Native American nickname. I believe Benson is still the "Braves."
Interesting: we still see vestiges of the "Fighting Sioux" nickname out and about - signs and clothing that are left over. If the intent is to keep the symbol alive, it's a fool's errand. If you take walks along the biking/walking trail east of Morris, you'll see on the south end as you pass by an opulent residence, a little sign with the old "Fighting Sioux" logo. Must be an alum who refuses to leave the past.
There is nothing heartwarming about this. UND got rid of the old racist imagery for a reason. The residence of which I speak is probably the most opulent one in town. Would not be my cup of tea, but to each their own.
So in Perham it's "The Hive," home of the Yellowjackets, but this was not the team showcased there on Tuesday. We're into the "March Madness" phase of this highly atypical school year. Fans really have to hold their breath to see if a particular game even gets played. Paynesville and 'Waska had their post-season GBB plans torpedoed. But on Tuesday, BBE and WCA got the green light for state quarter-final action.
We're talking Brooten-Belgrade-Elrosa and West Central Area. It was a close game in which BBE managed a tenuous lead throughout. But BBE was able to cling to the advantage and prevail by five, 76-71. BBE's Jaguars are in for the state semis, a first for the program. We'll pray for Covid to stay away as the team prepares for its April 6 contest at Target Center, Minneapolis.
The Jaguars have lost just once this season. Bonanza Valley pride is brimming, a sentiment that I'm sure is projected from my old newspaper compatriot Randy Olson. Congratulations Randy and all!
BBE is buoyed by a senior group of seven. A broad-based effort was needed, as it turned out. This was to counter a terrific 3-point shooting attack by the vaunted Knights of WCA. How terrific? The Knights made ten from beyond the 3-point arc. BBE had just three.
BBE had to overcome prolific scorer Lexi Bright of WCA. Bright made two of the 3's and led her team with 23 points scored. She's a 5-7 junior guard. Bright dueled with Abby Berge of the Jaguars. Berge is a 5-10 sophomore guard. She lit it up with 27 points and connected twice from 3-point land. Just as significantly, she had the job of guarding Bright.
BBE regularly had the lead but never by more than nine. Fans were on edge of seats. BBE had a one-point lead at halftime, 34-33.
Berge was one of three Jaguars scoring in double figures. She was complemented by Josie Knutson with 13 points and Allisa Knight with eleven. Jackie Lindsay came through with nine points. The rest of the list: Karissa Jones (6), Karsee Kampsen (4), Liz French (4) and Allison Dingmann (2). Berge's two 3-pointers were complemented by Knutson's one.
Top Jaguar rebounders were Knight (7), French (6) and Knutson (5). Kampsen dished out four assists. Berge had six steals and Knutson four. Knight blocked two shots.
Bright was at the fore of WCA's scoring with her 23 points. Other double figures achievers were Elizabeth Rustan with 14 and Mya Foslien with eleven. Claire Stark put in nine. Then we see Brynn Fernholz with seven points, Macy Grosz with four and Sydney Ulrich with three. Bright and Foslien each made three 3-pointers. Rustan connected twice from that range while Fernholz and Ulrich each made one.
My late aunt Viola, wife of my blood uncle Howard, was from the Brooten area, so I say "go Jaguars!"
Addendum: The "killer hornets" in the news are also known as Asian giant hornets, but let's maybe back off on the latter term based on the anti-Asian prejudice that has been in the news.
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| BBE Jaguar team photo from "twitter" |
- Brian Williams - morris mn minnesota - bwilly73@yahoo.com
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