Awesome Blossoms ride senior surge to storm past Vikings
Published 9:37 pm Friday, February 14, 2025
Carter Bishop pulls down a rebound for Blooming Priarie. Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com
The Hayfeld defense closes in on Blooming Prairie’s Jacob Pauly Friday. Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com
Axel Meeks passes the ball for the Vikings. Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com
Hayfield’s Charlie Walker is defended by Blooming Prairie’s Brady Kittelson in BP Friday. Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com
Brady Kittelson breaks for a lay-up for the Awesome Blossoms. Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com
Hayfield’s Moneer Mohamed is tied up by Blooming Prairie’s Bradley Boyd as Wyatt Rafdal looks on. Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com
Blooming Prairie’s Cooper Cooke saves a rebound under the basket Friday. Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com
Blooming Prairie’s Gabe Staloch floats through the lane for a shot against the Vikings. Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com
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BLOOMING PRAIRIE – A pair of Blooming Prairie seniors delivered big nights as the Awesome Blossom boys basketball team rolled past Hayfield 73-43 in BP Friday.
BP (16-6 overall) led from start to finish as senior center Cooper Cooke racked up 15 points, 13 rebounds and six assists and senior guard Brady Kittelson put up 25 points and six steals as he knocked down three early three-pointers to get things started.
BP head coach Cam Rutledge said that Cooke and Kittelson make the game easier for everyone else.
“Cooper can do it all. He’s a great defender and a big body for us,” Rutledge said. “He’s been playing varsity basketball for four years now and he holds everybody accountable. Brady is a matchup nightmare for any coach and his three-point shot was falling tonight. When his three-point shot is on, man is he a dangerous player.”
BP sophomore Gabe Staloch, who added 18 points in the win, said that he has learned many of his positive habits from playing with Cooke and Kittelson.
“When I was in eighth grade, I came up with the JV and just practicing with those guys, they became my role models and they were teaching me the right way to play basketball,” Staloch said. “They’re good leaders and great role models to look up to. I’m going to miss them next year when they’re gone.”
Hayfield freshman Charlie Walker poured in 28 points as he hit four threes, but no other Viking (7-17 overall) scored more than six. Rutledge, who is a Hayfield grad who once played for Hayfield head coach Chris Pack, said it’s always a big game when BP plays Hayfield.
“They’re a well coached team and they’re always well prepared. Unfortunately tonight they were without one of their best players (in Austin Dahle),” Rutledge said. “I thought our guys played really well and we’re always up for this game.”
BP played in the Section 1A title game last year, but the team lost some key players from that squad. The Awesome Blossoms have now won three straight games by at least 30 points each and they have three more games before the playoffs get started.
“We’re right where we want to be,” Staloch said. “We still have to be more consistent on offense, but we’ve played really good basketball in these last couple of games and I’m excited to see what we can do in the playoffs.”
Hayfield 16 27 – 43
BP 47 26 – 73
BP scoring: Brady Kittelson, 25; Gabe Staloch, 18; Cooper Cooke, 15; Bradley Boyd, 5; Kingston Lee, 3; Carter Bishop, 3; Zach Green, 2; Jacob Pauly, 2
Hayfield scoring: Charles Walker, 28; Drew Slaathaug, 6; Axel Meek, 3; Kolton Fiedler, 2; Layne Nelson, 2; Nolan Pack, 2
