H.S. Boys Basketball: Tigers Overcome Slow Start, Even MRC Mark; Nearly Dim the Stars

But the Tigers took control from that point, building a 44-28 halftime lead, with Morrison scoring 19 first-half points.

Morrison has averaged 25.3 points over the last three games.

Belle Plaine travels to Norwood Young America (1-3, 1-4) on Thursday night, Feb. 4 and will welcome Tri-City United (2-1, 2-3) next Tuesday, Feb. 9.

Tigers Nearly Dim the Stars

Seven first-half three-point baskets highlighted the Tigers boys basketball team’s best half of the season and made Minnesota River Conference leading Southwest Christian (4-0, 5-2) shiver on Friday night, Jan. 29,  in Belle Plaine.

The Tigers’ effort, which has been improving with each passing game, left them with a 36-29 halftime advantage.

But the talented Stars’ team took control of the second half from inside the paint, according to Coach Paul Fogarty, and 43 second-half points left the Tigers on the short end of a 72-68 defeat.

“(We) played (our) best basketball of the season in the first half,” Fogarty said. “Our team worked extremely hard and we learned a lot about each other. Our defense will improve and we will continue to get better as a team.”

Morrison, who scored 20 points in Belle Plaine’s 67-65 overtime loss at New Ulm last Monday night, Jan. 25, had 16 first-half points including four three-pointers.

He finished with a team high 27, including three more second-half threes.

Krueger added 17 points and Tolbert 16. Only five Tigers scored, as Luskey and Ryan Retzer had four points apiece.

Krueger added 13, Luskey 12, and Tolbert 10 in the loss at New Ulm. Fogarty also credited Retzer’s contributions off the bench. A game-winning attempt rolled off the basket.

Box Score

SW Christian  72,  BP  68

SWC       29     43    72

BP       36     32    68

Belle Plaine scoring – Tolbert 16, Krueger 17, Luskey 4, Morrison 27, Retzer 4

BPHS Boys Basketball Team Schedule and Results

Jan. 15:   L - Jordan 88, BP 44

Jan. 19: L - Mayer Lutheran 81, BP 60

Jan. 21:  W - BP 68, LSH 44

Jan. 25: L - New Ulm 67, BP 65

Jan. 29: L - SWC 72, BP 68

Feb. 1:  W - BP 81, SE 61

Feb. 4: 7:15 @NYA

Feb. 9: 7:15 vs. TCU

Feb. 15: 7:15 @ LSH

Feb. 23: 7:15 @SWC

Feb. 26: 7:15 @ NYA

Mar. 1: 7:15 @ TCU

Mar. 4: 7:15 @ Sibley East

Mar. 6: 3:00 vs. Watertown-Mayer

Mar. 9: 7:15 vs. NYA

Mar. 11: 7 :15 @ LSH

Boys Basketball Standings

  (Conference, Overall)

Mayer Lutheran...........5-0, 6-0

SW Christian...............4-0, 5-2

Tri City United............2-1, 2-3

Belle Plaine.................2-2, 2-4

NYA............................1-3, 1-4

LS-H............................1-4, 1-4

Sibley East...................0-5, 0-5

Recent Scores

 New Ulm 67, Belle Plaine 65 (ot)

Mayer Lthrn 82, Sibley East 28

SW Christian 81, LS-H 40

TCU 67, NYA 61

SWC 72, Belle Plaine 68

Mayer Lthrn 59, TCU 50

Belle Plaine 81, Sibley East 61

SWC 77, NYA 55

Mayer Lthrn 67, LS-H 25