Step I: boys' basketball wins playoff opener (VIDEO)

Against a young, up-and-coming Benson Braves squad in the last game this season on the home floor, the No. 2-seeded B-B-E Jaguars boys' basketball team picked up a 77-61 win to start their journey in the Sub-Section 6A-South tournament.

Here's a video from later in the second half tonight:


Ahead 59-53 late in the game, the Jaguars came on strong down the stretch to win by double digits. With 4:43 to go, the Jaguars led 64-55. In the video above, they are coming out of a timeout at that time with the nine-point lead.

Four B-B-E players were in double figures, with junior Hayden Sobiech leading the way with 18 points plus 5 rebounds and 2 assists. The team shot 36 percent from the floor and made 19 of 27 free throw shots.

Now 19-8 overall, the Jaguars travel to Minnewaska Area this Saturday afternoon to face No. 3-seeded Brandon-Evansville. Tip-off is set for approximately 3 p.m. for the semifinal game. The Chargers advanced with a 50-42 win against neighboring and Little Eight Conference rival Ashby.

In the Sub-Section 3A-North tournament today, No. 4-seeded Minneota scored a huge upset by defeating No. 1-seeded and state-ranked Dawson-Boyd 61-57 in overtime in their semifinal round. In Sub-Section 3AA-North, No. 2-seeded Eden Valley-Watkins ended Paynesville Area's season with a 72-44 win. The Bulldogs, who had one of their best-ever regular seasons in school history, were the No. 3 seed.

Tomorrow morning I head north on a 213-mile journey to the Alerus Center in Grand Forks. The B-B-E Resistance Robotics team arrived in Grand Forks last night for the F.I.R.S.T. Great Northern Regional competition. As of Thursday night, a total of 56 teams were registered. The first qualification match starts at 8:55 a.m. on Friday. B-B-E's team has their first match in the second overall match, which is set to begin at 9:06 a.m. Their second match is set for approximately 10:39 a.m., and their third match is set for around 11:28 a.m.

Area boys' basketball scores on March 7:
Sauk Centre 66, Milaca 38
Osakis 65, Holdingford 53
Melrose Area 92, Mora 67
Eden Valley-Watkins 72, Paynesville Area 44
Albany 85, Pine City 48
Legacy Christian 81, Royalton 57
Morris Area 65, Montevideo 63
Browerville 84, Pine River-Backus 49
West Central Area 74, Breckenridge 40
Redwood Valley 93, Luverne 66
Spectrum 74, Kimball Area 34
Annandale 89, Rush City 34