Step I: dominant performance sends Jaguars to semifinals (VIDEO)

A terrific postseason streak continues for the B-B-E Jaguars girls' basketball team! You have to go back 15 seasons to see the last time that this team lost in the playoff opener.

After building a 49-13 halftime lead tonight, the Jaguars advance with a 75-33 win against Mille Lacs in the Sub-Section 5A-East quarterfinals.

The Jaguars fired on all cylinders in the opening half with 47 percent field goal shooting (5-of-12 beyond the arc) and 4-of-6 shooting at the line.

Here's the final seconds of tonight's game:


The Jaguars shot 39 percent on field goals and were 7-of-21 from outside the arc. At the line, they went 10-for-16 while earning a 31 to 17 advantage in rebounds.

Next: the Jaguars (19-8) travel the completely obnoxious, ridiculous 2 1/2 hour drive east to Hinckley-Finlayson high school for the semifinal game this Saturday, March 1. The game should begin at about 1:45 p.m. that afternoon. The opponent will be No. 3-seeded Upsala (18-9). It will be a rematch of B-B-E's 54-53 loss at home to Upsala on January 28. In the other semifinal game on Saturday in Hinckley, top-seeded Braham will face No. 5-seeded Swanville with tip-off at 12 p.m. sharp.

I have confirmed that Jaguar fans have the treat of being able to enjoy radio coverage on Saturday from both Smooth Magic 107 FM of Glenwood plus 106.5 FM The Train of Norway Lake-Sunburg. Please pass the word!

In their quarterfinal game tonight, the Upsala Cardinals defeated No. 6-seeded Maple Lake 57-45. Braham defeated No. 8-seeded East Centra 82-20. Swanville earned a mild upset by a 76-72 score at No. 4-seeded Ogilvie.

It was in the 2009-2010 season when the Jaguars fell in the Sub-Section 6A-South play-in round 57-51 overtime loss to Hillcrest Lutheran Academy. They've won every playoff opener since that season.

Area girls' basketball playoff scores on February 27:
Minnewaska Area 42, New London-Spicer 36
Walker-Hackensack-Akeley 76, Verndale 29
Pine River-Backus 88, Long Prairie-Grey Eagle 31
Bertha-Hewitt 52, Browerville 31
Royalton 66, Mora 30
Spectrum 52, Kimball Area 49
Wheaton/Herman-Norcross 57, Parkers Prairie 54
Sebeka 74, Nevis 60
BOLD 62, Cedar Mountain 55
West Central Area 63, Brandon-Evansville 49
Milaca 64, Melrose Area 46
Osakis 60, Legacy Christian 41
Annandale 49, St. Cloud Cathedral 25
Foley 64, Holdingford 53
Albany 58, Pine City 41
Willmar 49, Rocori 37
Hancock 83, Clinton-Graceville-Beardsley 42