By Marisa Dawson
The Bennington Badgers basketball teams delivered an action-packed doubleheader at home on February 3, facing off against the Skutt Catholic SkyHawks. The evening kicked off with the girls’ game, followed by the boys, in front of an enthusiastic crowd that included special guests for TeamMates Night. TeamMates mentors and mentees were invited to join in the festivities, adding a community spirit to the event. The organization also supported the post-prom fundraiser by hosting a meal, and excitement peaked with a raffle for a rare football signed by legendary coach Tom Osborne, with proceeds benefiting the post-prom group.
Coming off strong weekend performances, both Bennington squads had secured impressive victories against Hastings in their home games on Saturday. Those wins set a positive tone heading into the week, as the teams gear up for the final stretch before districts and state tournaments.
Girls Secure Convincing Win Over Defending Champs
The Bennington girls started the night with a dominant 59-41 victory over Skutt Catholic, showcasing their defensive prowess and fast-paced style against the defending champions. The Badgers jumped out to a commanding 20-7 lead in the first quarter and never looked back, building a 35-18 halftime advantage before outscoring the SkyHawks 16-18 in a competitive third quarter and closing strong.
Sophomore Macie Reiner led the charge with a well-rounded performance, tallying 17 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists, 1 steal, and 2 blocks. Junior Harper Bohaboj was a force on both ends, contributing 11 points, 5 rebounds, 9 assists, and 4 steals. Junior Skylar Johnson added 12 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block.. Senior Reese Almquist chipped in 5 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, and an impressive 4 blocks, anchoring the defense.
Head coach John O’Connor praised his team’s effort post-game, noting the challenge of facing a strong opponent. “Obviously that was a good game for us. Defending champs and playing very well right now, so that was a great test for us to have to come in, play hard and close it out,” O’Connor said. He highlighted their physicality and rebounding, adding, “Just a great job as far as physicality. They’re a very physical team. Good rebounding team. We did a good job, playing hard on the defensive end and rebounding.”
O’Connor also appreciated the up-tempo pace, which aligned with the team’s style: “That’s the urgency that we like to play with as far as defensively bringing pressure, offensively pushing in transition, and just a lot of tempo and urgency.” Looking ahead, he emphasized a “next play” mentality, with upcoming tests like Gretna on the horizon. “We always keep a think next, play next mentality.”
The win positions the girls well as they approach the postseason, building on their recent momentum.
Boys Battle Tough in Competitive Matchup
In the nightcap, the Bennington boys faced a formidable Skutt Catholic squad, falling 66-32. Despite the outcome, the Badgers showed resilience, particularly in the first half, where they trailed 30-18 at the break after holding their own in the second quarter (11-15).
Junior Blaize Jung paced Bennington with 13 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists, demonstrating strong shooting efficiency at 55% from the field and 59% from beyond the arc. Junior Kale Lamberty added 8 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 steal, while junior Landon McCarville contributed 5 points and 2 rebounds. The team’s effort on the glass and in transition provided bright spots, even as Skutt pulled away in the fourth quarter.
Head coach Luke Olson reflected on the need to build from the experience, focusing on preparation for the road ahead. “We have to respond. We gotta have a good two days of practice going into Gretna. These guys have shown response time,” Olson said. He emphasized ongoing improvements, noting, “We made strides- January was good. We have a ways to go still, so we just have to have good practices. You have to make shots, get on balance and things like that.”
The doubleheader capped a busy week for Bennington, with both teams eyeing strong finishes to the regular season. As Coach O’Connor put it for the girls, the focus remains on each game: “We have Gretna, a fellow EMC opponent- in the rankings and playing really well right now. They’re a very good team at their place. That’ll be another very good test for us.” The Badgers continue to rally as they head into the postseason push.
