The Bemidji High School girls basketball team faced a tough challenge on Tuesday night as they took on the No. 9 ranked Brainerd Warriors in a Class 4A matchup at the BHS Gymnasium. The game proved to be a difficult one for the Lumberjacks, who ultimately fell to the Warriors with a score of 76-43.
Brainerd set the tone early, starting the game with a quick 5-0 lead. Bemidji’s senior Margie Anderson responded with a layup followed by a three-pointer to tie the game; however, the Warriors quickly surged ahead with a 10-2 run. The Lumberjacks managed to narrow the gap with three-point shots from juniors Alivia Thompson and freshmen Clara Sherwood, but Brainerd ended the first half strong, leading 36-21.
Throughout the game, Bemidji struggled against Brainerd’s length and tenacious defense. Junior Anysia Pink noted the challenge posed by the Warriors’ taller players, which hindered the Lumberjacks from making effective passes. Head coach Darin Schultz expressed similar sentiments, emphasizing how the Warriors’ height disrupted their offensive strategy.
The second half continued to favor Brainerd, who extended their lead to 44-21 after scoring eight straight points. Despite some improvement in offensive flow later in the game, the Lumberjacks couldn’t recover from the large deficit. Pink ended with a team-high 14 points, demonstrating her scoring ability even against a formidable opponent, while senior Matjea Malterud contributed seven points.
Freshman Clara Sherwood impressed as well, scoring six points and showcasing her potential. Coach Schultz praised her court vision and ability to read the game. The performance of younger players like Sherwood offers a silver lining to the result, highlighting future promise for the team.
Despite the disappointment of the loss, Coach Schultz remains optimistic, viewing the game as a valuable learning experience for the Lumberjacks. He stressed the importance of continued growth as the team prepares for future challenges, especially as they gear up for section playoff time. Pink echoed this sentiment, noting that aggressive play and smart passing will be key moving forward.
This game highlighted both the struggles and strengths of the Bemidji team, providing essential lessons that they hope will drive improvement and resilience as the season continues.