Bombers Prove Worthy Of States #1 Ranking

Wes Vork-NSO

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Dec 10

Dwight Cadwell-NSO

BARNUM- Friday night at the Barnum High School it was the Bombers, Minnesota’s number one ranked team in Class A, and coming off a state championship in 2010 facing their toughest challenge of the young 2010-2011 season. It was a test made possible when the states eighth rated team make the long trip north that would end with the Bombers answering any questions why they are ranked number one. The Bombers defeated the Raiders of Fulda by a final score of 69-59.

The Bombers jumped out from the opening tip and would shoot the daylights out of the ball early. Katie Myhre got things going as she hit a three pointer to give the Bombers an early lead. Courtney Hulstein answered right back as she nailed the three pointer and the game was tied. Barnum however answered that challenge right back as they took control of the outside game as Jessica Newman nailed two first half three pointers, Claire and Caitlan Rodgers both netted threes and Jaiden Cofield also hit from downtown as the Bombers rolled into the end of the first half with a 40-32 lead.

“They are a good team,” Head Coach Randy Myhre told Northland Sports Online. “They play good defense they move the ball well, it was a nice test for us, and our girls responded.” Myhre added “we still have things we need to work on and get better at, but the girls all know we can and will improve.” The Bombers improved to 4-0 on the season with the win at home and look to continue to play well as they have another tough test on Tuesday night when they face the 10th ranked Floodwood Polar Bears at home.

Barnum came out strong in the second half and extended their halftime lead to as many as thirteen three times in the second half. Newman and Caitlyn Rodgers continued hot outside shooting for the Bombers, but the pesky Raiders did not go away as they fought and narrowed the lead late in the game to six points. Barnum however, respond as Myhre hit a 15 foot jump shot to move the lead back to eight points, and on the next possession Myhre was fouled on a three point attempt. The foul sent Myhre to the line, where she hit all three free throws putting an end to any comeback hopes for the Raiders.

Jessica Newman led the Bombers with 20 points Friday night, Jaiden Cofield added 12, Caitlan Rodgers ended with 10, Katie Myhre finished with 8, Claire Rodgers and Claudia Turner each added 7, and Karianna Duesler rounded out the scoring with 4 points on the night. Courtney Hulstein led all scorers in the game with 21 points in the loss for the Raiders; teammate Kassie Wilkening added 11 points.

Dwight Cadwell can be reached at dwight@northlandsportsonline.com