Battlers bounce Cowboys, Smith sets 3-point record
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Breckenridge has the fifth-worst scoring defense in Minnesotas Class 1A and that was crystal clear Wednesday, as three-point defense was non-existent for the No. 7 seed Cowboys in a 97-65 loss to No. 2 seed Battle Lake (23-4) that ended their season in the Section 6A quarterfinals. The Battlers eliminated Breckenridge for the second straight year.
No pressure, no hand up there or anything. Just wide open shots, Brian Watson said on the 3 Borders Sports Network broadcast. Theres no contest, no hand in the face, they just kind of stand there and watch. That doesnt work.
Jacob Kunkel scored 12 points for Breckenridge in Wednesday's playoff loss at Battle Lake. The junior lit a spark offensively toward the end of the season.
Courtesy Carol Colby
Kunkel attacked the basket to give Breckenridge its first lead at 8-7. Sanchez followed suit, slashing his way to the cup for 10 points in the first half as the lead changed hands in the early stages. Sanchez led Breckenridge with 21 points in the contest and Kunkel was second in the box score with 12.
Smith connected on his first 3-point attempt, tying the game at 18-18 and setting the Breckenridge single-season record with 80 threes made. Battle Lake took notice and traced Smith wherever he went, holding the senior to 9 points. Smith passed Bryan Jacklitch on the BHS leaderboard, treating fans to a historic season with magnificent shooting range from all areas of the court. Smith hovered around 35% from deep for most of the season, doing damage efficiently and making multiple threes in 21 of 25 appearances. The shooting guard splashed four or more 3s in a dozen contests.
Daymon Smith lets one fly from the top of the key.
Courtesy Carol Colby
Jack Mekalson added to his 1,000-point career with a game-high 28 points. Drew Johnson also popped off with 25 points on seven 3s, as Battle Lake had five players in double figures and buried 16 shots from behind the arc.
Mekalson scored on an offensive board with two seconds left in the first half. Breckenridge threw the ensuing inbound pass to Owen Buehler and he added insult to injury with a quick shot at the buzzer. Battle Lake closed the half on a 32-10 run to claim a 50-28 lead.
Blaufuss added 9 points for the Cowboys, while Bernotas, Nieto and Paul Jirak scored 3 each. Beyer and Kaleb Albertson scored 2 points each, followed by a single point at the foul line for Colin Suko.
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Robert Wanek Jr.
Sports Reporter
Robert has spent over a decade reporting Twin Towns Area athletics, coaching baseball and officiatingsporting events. From MMA to golf, he covers the entire sports spectrum through stories,photos and videos. He was named Rookie of the Year in 2021 by the North Dakota Newspaper Association.
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Thursday, March 9, 2023 at 3:50 am