Bulldogs Win Fifth Straight, Play For Regional Title

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Published on February 25 2016 10:21 pm
Last Updated on February 26 2016 7:36 am
Written by Greg Sapp

The St. Anthony Bulldogs have picked the right time to play some of their best basketball of the season.

The Bulldogs won their fifth straight game Thursday night, downing Central A&M 76-45 in semifinal action at the Nokomis 1A Regional. The game was heard on 979XFM and www.979xfm.com

St. Anthony, now 19-10, will take on the host Nokomis Redskins Friday at 7pm for the regional championship. The game will be broadcast on 979XFM and www.979xfm.com 

The Bulldogs shot 61% from the field against the Raiders, making 30 of 49 shots including five of 12 threes. They also made eight of 11 foul shots, turned the ball over 16 times, but posted a 34-15 rebound edge.

Central A&M, who finishes 15-13 on the season, made 15 of 48 shots for 31% including seven of 25 threes. The Raiders made eight of 13 foul shots, and committed 12 turnovers.

St. Anthony was sizzling from start to finish, leading 25-13 after one quarter and pouring in 27 points in the fourth quarter. It was 39-22 at halftime and 49-33 after three quarters before a 27-12 edge in the final period.

Drew Gibson led St. Anthony in scoring with 21 points. Nick Grunloh posted a double-double for the Bulldogs, 17 points and 10 rebounds. Cade Walsh hit four threes to total 12 points. Also for the Bulldogs: Jay Niebrugge 8, James Kabbes 6, Chandler Martelli 4, Kyle Hartke 4, Alex Deters 2, and Jack Nuxoll 2.

Jordan Miller led Central A&M with 10 points, all in the first half.

The Bulldogs will take on a Nokomis team that advanced to the regional final with a 63-44 win over Mulberry Grove.

Notes From Kurt Becker:

St. Anthony is the only team to defeat Nokomis in regional play in the last four years, having upended the Redskins on their home floor in the 2014 regional semifinals, 48-35.

St. Anthony and Nokomis own a combined 38 regional trophies--20 for St. Anthony and 18 for Nokomis.

A win by St. Anthony would make Cody Rincker the fifth coach in St. Anthony history to win two regional championships in his first three seasons, the others being Jim Belz, John Keller, Chuck Bell, and Mike Wilson.

Class 1A Nokomis Regional

ST. ANTHONY (76)

Kabbes 2-2 -- 6, Hartke 2-0 -- 4, Martelli 2-0 -- 4, Grunloh 8-0 -- 17, Deters 1-0 -- 2, GiIbson 7-6 -- 21, Kinkelaar 0-0 -- 0, Walsh 4-0 -- 12, Beasley 0-0 -- 0, Niebrugge 4-0 -- 8, Lawrence 0-0 -- 0, Nuxoll 1-0 -- 2. TOTALS 31 FG, 8 FT.

CENTRAL A&M (45)

Smith 2-0 -- 6, Miller 3-2 -- 10, Ater 0-0 -- 0, Z. Bugg 3-1 -- 7, J. Bugg 0-0 -- 0, Widmar 0-0 -- 0, Garner 2-1 -- 6, Ohl 2-4 -- 8, Paradee 0-0 -- 0, Black 0-0 -- 0, Reed 2-0 -- 6, Burgener 0-0 -- 0,  Denton 1-0 -- 2 TOTALS 15 FG, 8 FT.

St. Anthony             25    14    10    27    --    76

Central A&M            13     9     10   12    --    45

3-point  FG -- St. Anthony 6 (Walsh 4, Grunloh 1, Gibson 1), Central A&M 7 (Smith 2, Miller 2, Reed 2, Garner 1).