One night after a crucial 70-51 win for sub-section rankings over Osakis, the #7-ranked (Class A) Jaguars boys basketball team hosted Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted at the BBE High School on January 30, 2002. The Osakis win gave the Jaguars a 13-0 record, setting a new record for basketball wins in a row at B-B-E.
HL-W-W came to town undefeated in the Central Minnesota Conference, along with the Jaguars. A sold-out crowd and two high-octane teams made for a "supercharged atmosphere" at the high school gymnasium.
Late in the second quarter, the Jaguars had built a 10 point lead over HL-W-W. The Lakers heated up in the final two minutes to close the gap to a 37-36 deficit.
The Lakers would go on a 12-2 run to stake a 59-48 lead going into the fourth quarter.
In the end, playing a fourth straight game on a weekday had taken its toll on the Jaguars, and once the fast-paced game was completed, a balanced, athletic Lakers team outlasted a determined, hustling Jaguar squad 85-69. The Lakers outscored the Jaguars 26-19 in the fourth quarter.
Seven HL-W-W players scored between nine and 18 points. They also out-rebounded the Jaguars by a 37-30 margin. The Jaguars made 10 three pointers, but it wasn't enough on this night, as they fell to 13-1 overall.
This Jaguar "blast from the past" is brought to you by:
