A solid start

Senior guard Jaden Gossen drives the right wing in the second half of tonight's season opener.

The B-B-E Jaguars girls' basketball team built a lead as high as 21 points in the second half tonight of their season opener on their way to a 63-49 win over the visiting Melrose Area Dutchmen.

It was rough from the get go, after the Jaguars were "one-and-done" on their first three offensive possessions. Meanwhile, Melrose Area came out firing and built an early 9-1 lead through the 14:40 mark. Macie Kirckof knocked down B-B-E's first field goal of the game 40 seconds later to make the score 9-3. The Dutchmen countered with a three-pointer for a 12-3 lead, but the Jaguars took charge with a subsequent 11-0 run for a 14-12 lead. The game-tying bucket was a three-pointer by Jenna Dingmann.

B-B-E led 33-29 at halftime.

The Jaguars look to improve on a stellar 21-9 season from last year, while the Dutchmen have eyes on a winning record after going 12-16 last year.

By the way, tonight's home crowd was TERRIFIC! I LOVED seeing the parking lot crowded with cars when I arrived about halfway into the first half. The south bleachers were almost full, while the north bleachers were at least three-quarters full. I'd rate it a crowd of at least 550 people. NICE JOB, JAGUAR COUNTRY! I hope you saved the center spread of last week's Bonanza Valley Voice newspaper, which included the winter varsity sports season schedules.

Below, video from the first half of tonight's game:


Next for the Jaguars: a tough road game at Menahga on Saturday. The Braves were runners-up in Sub-Section 5A-North last year, Park Region Conference champions (12-2) and 23-6 overall. The Braves won their season opener tonight at home over sub-section rival Pine River-Backus by a 64-52 score.

*Don't forget! This Friday is the season-opening Jaguar Invitational at the high school. The B-B-E Jaguars wrestling team is excited to host this 10-team tournament. Action begins at 2:30 p.m. Later that night at Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg, the B-B-E Jaguars boys' basketball team begins their season.

Come out and support your Jaguars!!

##ConquerEveryDay

Area girls' basketball scores on November 28:
New London-Spicer 79, Paynesville Area 18
Eden Valley-Watkins 58, Litchfield 39
Pierz 48, Upsala 32
Norwood-Young America 72, Maple Lake 53
Hancock 58, Battle Lake 29
Menahga 64, Pine River-Backus 52
Lac qui Parle Valley 69, Minnewaska Area 48
Minneota 85, BOLD 50
Royalton 56, Kimball Area 39
Dawson-Boyd 44, Montevideo 41
Sauk Centre 72, Long Prairie-Grey Eagle 38
Ortonville 71, Benson 48
West Central Area 59, Parkers Prairie 51
Swanville 61, Onamia 29