Blue Earth Area junior Hannah Johnson contributed 10 points in the Buccaneers latest win against the Jackson County Central Huskies. With 3:20 remaining in the contest, Johnson converted on two foul shots which gave the Bucs a nine-point lead. BEA head coach Al Cue also commended Johnson’s work on the glass as she collected several rebounds.

The Blue Earth Area girls basketball team (9-10) stopped a two-game skid and avenged a loss earlier in the season to Jackson County Central (13-7) by defeating the Huskies 60-53 at home last Thursday.

Although the Bucs enjoyed a lead for the entire second half, the hard charging Huskies made things too close for comfort down the stretch. With 3:20 remaining in the game, BEA’s Hannah Johnson, who finished with 10 points, converted on two free throw attempts to make the score 55-46 in favor of the Bucs.

However, the Huskies answered back with a couple of baskets of their own to make the score 55-50.

The Bucs regained control of the game when senior Sofie Blair converted on a three-point play with 35 seconds remaining. The bucket gave the Bucs a 58-50 cushion, but a quick three pointer on the ensuing possession by Huskies guard Alaina Wolff created a tense atmosphere for the BEA crowd.

With the maroon and gold leading 58-53, BEA’s top scorer Caitlin Rorman, who finished the game with a team high 28 points, cashed in on two free throw attempts following an intentional foul in the closing seconds by JCC.

Afterwards, Bucs head coach Al Cue spoke of how evenly matched the two teams have been this season.

“Both games were so close, I think it could have went our way last time, and I think it could have went their way this time,” Cue said. “This is an important win because this is a really good team. It helps mend things after the tough loss at Medford.”

The Blue Earth Area girls were back in action at home against St. Peter (12-6) on Saturday, Feb. 3. Results from this game will be available in next week’s edition of the Faribault County Register.

Medford 50, BEA 48

Despite outshooting Medford from the field and from the foul line, the Buccaneers lost to the Tigers on Monday, Jan. 29. The Bucs shot 36.7 percent from the field compared to just 28.3 percent for the Tigers. At the charity stripe, BEA converted on 75 percent of their attempts compared to 68 percent for Medford.

Ball security issues were once again an area of concern for the Buccaneers. Blue Earth Area committed 23 turnovers compared, eight more than Medford.

BEA senior Lindsey Norman led the team in scoring with a season-high 13 points. Meanwhile, Caitlin Rorman and Hannah Johnson each chipped in with 12.

Waseca 60, BEA 35

The Buccaneers were no match for the Waseca Bluejays on Jan. 26. Trailing 28-19 by intermission, the deficit grew even larger in the second half. The Bluejays shot a blistering 42.9 percent from the field and converted six three-pointers on the evening.

Waseca also dominated Blue Earth Area on the glass by grabbing 13 more rebounds than the Bucs.

Caitlin Rorman ended the ballgame with 21 points and four rebounds while Lindsey Norman scored six and added four rebounds and three assists.