Sports

Opposite play leads Braves to big loss, near upset

By Tyler Ohmann

01/21/2014

The Bottineau Braves nearly pulled it off.

Despite entering the game against No. 7 Berthold last Saturday the Braves hung with and even led against the Bombers.

The Bombers eventually won 71-61 on the wings of a 33-point effort from Austin Lee, but Bottineau was in the game until the last couple minutes.

After one quarter the Braves led 16-15, and the two teams were deadlocked at 32 at the break. Bottineau hung around in the second half as well, trailing by three after three quarters, and not falling behind more than five until the final two minutes.

“I was happy with our attitude and our effort today, and we played well,” said Braves head coach Simpson. “We executed fairly well, to get into the 60’s in scoring is good for us offensively, and I didn’t think our defense did a horrible job.”

“The rebounding in the first half went very well, and it left a little in the second, but it was a good effort for us to hang with a team like Berthold,” Simpson added.

Offensively the Braves were balanced, but were led by sophomore Parker Engelhard’s 15 points. Also strong in the game were Philip Neubauer and Christian St. Claire who had 10 points each. St. Claire also came up with several steals, and Neubauer scored six of the Braves’ first eight points in the game’s opening minutes.

Garret Pollman and Alex Bristol each added nine points each.
Adam Knudsvig had 21 points to pair with Lee’s 33.

Bottineau also dropped a game last Tuesday night as they fell 47-34 to Sawyer in Sawyer.

In that game, Simspson said the Braves came out the opposite of Saturday’s contest.

“The Sawyer game there was no energy, no effort and the execution wasn’t there,” Simpson said. “We didn’t hit shots, we got to the line and we didn’t execute there.”

“It was just a complete reversal of tonight,” Simpson added.

Bottineau scored only 14 points in the first half, and fell behind 30-14 by halftime.

The Flashes stayed focused, and the Braves were unable to erase the deficit completely.

Colton Lund led the Flashes with 18 points, and Paul Folden added 14.

For the Braves, Bristol had 10 points, Pollman and Jake Carroll each had eight points.

“To come out flat in a district game was very disappointing, and a district game that was very winnable,” Simspon said. “We still have four district games left, and we’re going to play better in those games.”

For Simpson, he isn’t sure why the Braves’ effort and energy are so drastically different from game to game.

“I don’t know what it is, but the kids have to figure that out,” Simpson said. “Some games they come out well, and some games they come out flat, and it’s an internal thing.”

“They have to come out with energy and effort, and the execution might not be there, but as long as there is energy and effort we can be contenders,” Simpson added.

However, he does feel like it’s getting better, the near-win over Berthold is case in point.

“There was a more consistent lack of effort before Christmas, and I think they realize that more now,” Simpson said. “We’ve been a better team effort and energy-wise since Christmas, and that’s really helped us.”

Bottineau (3-10) will play at Towner-Granville-Upham on Thursday and then host Bishop Ryan at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday.