Blossom Basketball Plays at Civic Center

Making it to the Mayo Civic Center in the basketball playoffs is a mark of a successful season. The Blooming Prairie girls had to jump through one extra hurdle with a game last week at Century High School, but did play at the civic center over the weekend. Their male counterparts will take the floor at the Civic Center Arena Wednesday night in the Section 1A semifinals.

The girls play Thursday in Rochester in the Section 1A finals. The Awesome Blossoms are the top seed in both tournaments. It's fair to think they are dreaming of playing in an even bigger venue in the Twin Cities, but both teams are taking care to keep a one-game-at-a-time approach.

The BP boys clobbered United Christian Academy 70-30 last Thursday in their final game of the season at BPHS. UCA used to be Bethany Academy and played a game at BP a few seasons ago. Blooming Prairie coach Nate Piller states the team guarded against UCA's desire to use the three-point shot, "I thought we did a pretty nice job of that. Got out to a quick start. Played some really good defense." The halftime lead was 52-16.

Next up is Southland Wednesday, March 4 at 6 pm with coverage on Kat Kountry 105 FM and on the free Kat Kountry 105 app. "Southland brings a strong, physical, deep team. We'll have to be ready for that one. They do a lot of things really well. They shoot the ball very well. That game against Spring Grove, they had a lot of outside scoring."

The BP girls played at Mayo Civic Center Saturday. After a pair of close games against Hayfield during the regular season, won by BP 40-38 and 52-47, the Awesome Blossoms dominated the Vikings in the playoff match up 62-33.

Coach John Bruns says defense was the key, "BP turned up the defense in the first half to take control of the game and go into halftime up 28-14. The first half was not without some drama though as leading scorer and rebounder Megan Oswald picked up two quick fouls in the first two minutes."

"While she was out, Allison Krohnberg handled the defensive duties in the middle and did an outstanding job...Maggie Bruns hit two three's in the first five minutes of the game to really get us going."

He added, "The second half was some of the best ball we have played all season." Blooming Prairie (21-5) was led in scoring by Oswald with 18. Bobbie Bruns had 16 and Julia Worke put in 13.

Thursday's title tilt against Filmore Central tips at 6 pm with coverage on Kat Kountry 105FM and on the free Kat Kountry 105 app. The winner advances to the state tournament at Maturi Pavilion for a game on Thursday, March 12.