Bethlehem Academy Holds On for Huge Section Victory

The Faribault Bethlehem Academy Cardinals defeated the two-time defending Section champion Goodhue Wildcats 48-45 Thursday night in Goodhue.  The Cardinals had seven three point baskets in a first half that saw them build a 17 point lead.

Goodhue Head Coach Matt Halverson then switched to a man to man defense and the Wildcats ended the half on a 12-3 run to cut the lead to 28-20 at halftime.  In the second half Goodhue would cut the lead to 5 or six, Bethlehem Academy would punch it back up to 9 or 10 until around the five minute mark when the Wildcats slapped on a full court press.

That press got turnover after turnover after turnover.  Six turnovers in a row to be precise to get to within a point of the Cardinals with under a minute to go.

With thirteen seconds to go 6'2 Bethlehem Academy junior Damon Trump hit a pair of free throws to give his team a three point lead.

Goodhue came down the floor and got a good look at a three point basket but it wouldn't go down and time expired before they could get another three point attempt off.

It's not too often I've seen a game where a team gave up 17 points off turnovers and only scored four themselves and won.

Bethlehem Academy finished the game with 18 turnovers by my tally and Goodhue had 9.

The Wildcats were 3 of 8 from the free throw line and the Cardinals were 5 of 8.

Bethlehem Academy Head Coach Eric Hildebrandt was very proud of his team because guys had to log a lot of minutes with six players out of the lineup.

Our Faribault State Farm Insurance agents Faribault players of the game were 6'0 senior Avery Hunt with 15 points and probably double digit rebounds, 6'1 junior Zach VanThomme with 12 points and Damon Trump scored just three but drained the clutch free throws at the end.

Junior Griffin Malecha and junior Ethan Nutter added 8 points each and both guys had a couple three point baskets.

Goodhue was led by 6'0 senior Mitchell Schrimpf with 12 points, 6'3 sophomore Sam Opsahl had all 9 of his points in the second half and 6'3 senior Mitchell Hemenway and 5'10 senior Derek Alpers each tallked 8 points.

Goodhue is now 9-8 overall and 6-3 in the section while Bethlehem Academy improved to 9-7 overall and 5-0 in section play.

The Cardinals will be on POWER 96 Radio 95.9 FM with John Anderson on the call Friday night when the Waterville-Elysian-Morristown Buccaneers come to Van Orsow Auditorium.  Coverage is scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m.