A tough, tough loss to swallow (VIDEO)

This was a mighty tough loss to swallow.

In a battle of second and third-place Central Minnesota Conference teams tonight, the B-B-E Jaguars girls' basketball team went stone cold from the field against Royalton. After trailing 27-22, the Jaguars came out firing in the second half and at one point held a 34-27 lead. They led 38-33 with 6:25 to go, but the going was tough the rest of the way.

Final: Royalton 44, B-B-E 42.

Here's footage from early in the second half when the Jaguars tied the game at 27-27:


For the game, the Jaguars shot just 31 percent from the field. They went 10-of-15 at the free throw line but were hurt mightily by ice cold 2-for-21 three-point shooting. For both teams, the defenses dictated this game, as both squads put everything they had into shutting down the inside game first and then working to limit outside shots. At the end of the day, Royalton utilized unique motivation while giving a physical and effective performance that avenged their loss from a month ago on their home floor.

Better days ahead.

On the upside: I am immensely proud to have a front row seat to an educational ecosystem where taking the high road is always encouraged. That is always a good way to live. One should never, ever apologize for doing the right thing - even when that's not necessarily what your first instinct is. When faced with difficult situations, choose the high road, and to the greatest extent possible: operate with a cool head, and do not get dragged down into the gutter. These are all great lessons to teach our kids.

Next: the Jaguars have another home CMC game when Paynesville Area (10-12, 5-7) comes to town this Friday, February 17 in a highly-anticipated border battle.

Breaking conference news: Holdingford has clinched the CMC title outright with a hard-fought 63-55 win at Eden Valley tonight.

Central MN Conference girls' basketball scores on February 14:
Paynesville 47, Maple Lake 35
Kimball Area 60, Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City 48

ALSO! B-B-E schools will open 2 hours late tomorrow, Wednesday, February 15.

*Area girls' basketball scores on February 14:
Yellow Medicine East 55, Benson 30
BOLD 59, Central MN Christian 24
Minnewaska Area 56, Melrose Area 38
Pipestone Area 81, Minneota 62
Montevideo 61, Sauk Centre 36
Pine River-Backus 60, Walker-Hackensack-Akeley 58
Henning 59, Verndale 45
MACCRAY 68, Dawson-Boyd 58