Battle Lake's boys' basketball team suffers a 29-point loss

I give them credit for getting Pelican Rapids on the schedule right before playoffs begin.

Still, a 29-point loss is an ugly way to end the regular season for any team. Battle Lake was 23-0 heading into last night's game at Pelican Rapids, who was rated #4 on the Class AA QRF rankings and also in the latest Class AA coaches' rankings.

The game wasn't even close, as the Vikings (23-3, 11-1 Heart O' Lakes Conference) scored the first 17 points of the game and were never threatened. While Battle Lake is known for their defensive prowess this year and quick, talented fleet of guards, they could only push the Vikings into a total of six turnovers in the contest.

It was senior night for Pelican Rapids, and their five seniors started the game. It was their 16th win in a row.

For Battle Lake: Alex Ukkelberg led the Battlers with 18 points and 5 http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifassists, and Tyler Ukkelberg turned in a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Dan Marso chipped in with 12 points and Petric VanErp collected 8 rebounds.

What's tough for Battle Lake is that they have gone through the season without one of their best players, Marty Charest, who suffered a broken leg last fall. Losing a kid like that has to make a difference, although I am unsure if he would've helped Battle Lake stay with a team of Pelican Rapids' caliber.

Here's a link to an article in the Fergus Falls Journal written last week about Battle Lake. It somewhat inflates their team, but I guess that's okay since they're not the team I want to see advancing past the third round of playoffs!
http://www.fergusfallsjournal.com/2012/02/29/battlers-on-a-roll