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Pipestone Area Schools’ boys basketball home opener didn’t quite go as planned — or even hoped.
Five Blue Earth Area players canned 13 3-pointers as the Buccaneers defeated the Arrows 69-41 in this Big South Conference clash.
BEA’s Will Bromeland swished five triples and teammates Sully Dahlberg and Ryder Dutton sank three 3’s each.
Pipestone Area Schools’ Luka Quist (1) fights for a rebound with Blue Earth Area’s Ryder Dutton during a Big South Conference game Friday, Dec. 5, at PAS Gymnasium. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
“Blue Earth is a good team,” PAS head coach Michael Slaba said. “They spaced us out well, and moved the basketball. They didn’t let the ball stick around, and kept it moving.”
Because of this, the Arrows struggled to rotate properly on defense — especially in the opening half as the Buccaneers staked themselves to a 35-16 lead.
“We changed up a few things defensively that allowed us to slow them down,” Slaba said.
PAS forced BEA to make “extra passes,” but the Buccaneers lead was too insurmountable by then.
Jackson Post scored on an up-and-under basket inside, leveling the score at 7-all with 10:14 remaining in the first half. BEA then went on a 10-2 burst to take control of the game. A Dutton 3-ball gave the Buccaneers a 20-9 edge, and the lead ballooned from there.
Matthew DeBates canned a 3-pointer, and Luka Quist fought for a rebound inside for a putback on PAS’ next possession. Quist missed the and-one free-throw attempt. The Arrows were within 15 points (37-22, 14:19 left in the second half).
Pipestone Area Schools’ Matthew DeBates (12) attempts to dribble and run the Arrow offense while defended by a Blue Earth Area player during a Big South Conference boys basketball game.(Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
However, BEA responded as Bromeland and Dahlberg connected on 3’s during back-to-back possessions, and the Arrows wouldn’t get any closer than a 19-point deficit the rest of the way.
Austin Musch was the lone Arrow to score double figures with 21 points on 10 field goals, his last from past the arc. Musch also corralled 13 rebounds for a double-double.
Pipestone Area Schools’ Blake Bosma attempts to play keep away from Blue Earth Area defenders during a Big South Conference game on Friday, Dec. 5. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
Cayden Zephier distributed five assists, DeBates and Quist also contributed three steals each.
On the downbeat, the Arrows missed nine free throws.
There are a lot of moving pieces for PAS this season with Makhi Winter, Tagon Woelber and Landon Quist graduated. Patience must be stressed.
Pipestone Area Schools’ head coach Michael Slaba talks to the team during a timeout. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
“This team is growing,” Slaba said. “I see that every day in practice, and in each game we’ve played.”
In the season-opening contest on Tuesday, Dec. 2, Jackson County Central topped Pipestone Area 81-61. Musch dropped in 17 points and had 14 rebounds. Freshman Blake Bosma contributed 11 points and eight rebounds.
Arrow Notes
PAS squared off against Murray County Central on Monday at home.
The result will be found in this week’s scoreboard.
Big South Conference action ramps up later as PAS travels to Redwood Valley for a Friday, Dec. 12, game before squaring off against Luverne at home Tuesday, Dec. 16.
Pipestone Area Schools’ Matthew DeBates attempts a layup during a Big South Conference game versus Blue Earth Area on Friday, Dec. 5. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
INFORMATION
Boys Basketball
Big South Conference
Friday, Dec. 5
At PAS Gymnasium
Blue Earth Area 69,
Pipestone Area 41
Halftime Score
BEA 35, PAS 16
Blue Earth scorers
Caden Juba, 7; Marcus Eckles, 2; Cole Becker, 3; Ryder Dutton, 11; Sully Dahlberg, 21; Will Bromeland, 22; Peter Fletcher, 3
3-Pointers (13): Bromeland, 5; Dutton, 3; Dahlberg, 3; Becker and Juba; Personal fouls: Buccaneers, 15; Fouled out: None; Technical fouls: None
PAS scorers
Luka Quist, 2; Cayden Zephier, 8; Nick Bruns, 2; Matthew DeBates, 6; Austin Musch, 21; Jackson Post, 2
3-Pointers (3): Zephier, 2; Musch; Personal fouls: Arrows, 18; Fouled out: None; Technical fouls: None