The Minnesota Valley Lutheran Chargers faced a challenging nonconference match against the Waseca Bluejays on Saturday, suffering a significant defeat with a final score of 94-59. The Chargers struggled notably with turnovers, committing a total of 25 during the game, which hampered their ability to establish any rhythm on offense.
Leading scorers for the Chargers included Owen Birkholz with 12 points, followed by Pierson Brau and Ethan Schauland each contributing 10 points. Luke Merseth added 9 points to the effort. On the other side, the Bluejays showcased a strong performance, led by Deron Russell, who scored a game-high 31 points, with Carson Ohnstad and Damarius Russell adding 27 and 14 points, respectively.
Waseca quickly took control of the game, benefiting from MVL’s turnovers to establish an early double-digit lead. Although the Chargers momentarily held a 2-0 advantage after Brau’s initial basket, they soon fell behind as Waseca executed a 10-0 run, which solidified their control over the match. In response to the early struggles, MVL head coach Craig Morgan used multiple timeouts, totaling four in the first half, in an attempt to halt Waseca’s momentum.
Despite some efforts to regain composure, such as a putback and free throws from Merseth, Waseca consistently maintained and extended their lead, going into halftime with a score of 57-33. Coach Morgan emphasized the need for improvement in team chemistry and defense going forward, noting the importance of making more decisive plays and being tougher on defense.
The second half mirrored the first, with Waseca continuing to score freely while the Chargers struggled to keep pace. After falling behind by as much as 42 points, MVL managed to hit some shots, including a 3-pointer from Schauland, but it was too little too late.
With this loss, the Chargers’ record fell to 0-3 for the season. They are set to face more competitive teams, including a challenging game against Martin County West on Tuesday and a home matchup against New Ulm Cathedral on Friday.
Looking ahead, this season presents a valuable learning opportunity for the Chargers, who feature a youthful roster with just two seniors. As they navigate the transition from junior varsity to varsity play, Coach Morgan’s focus on fostering team cohesion and adapting to the higher level of competition bodes well for their future improvement.
While the Chargers experienced a tough game, this is a critical part of their development as a team. Every challenge faced on the court serves to strengthen their resilience and skill, positioning them for growth as they continue their season.