Playing their second undefeated team in a week, the Annandale High School Cardinals boys basketball team played their best game of the young season but were outlasted by the Becker Bulldogs 56-41 on Tuesday, Dec. 20, in a game played at Annandale. While Becker (5-0) is no longer part of the Wright County Conference, the Cardinals have been playing the Bulldogs for years, and the two teams share the same section. With a lineup that resembled their state championship football team, the Bulldogs played a physical game that the Cardinals matched. “I was pleased with our effort,” coach Skip Dolan said. “We played a physical game against a tough opponent.” Annandale led once in the first half, and Becker never led by more than a few points. The Cards trailed by just one possession, three points, 44-41, with less than six minutes to play in the game. Some cold shooting for the home team allowed Becker to score that last 12 points of the game. “We had some good looks at the end; we just couldn’t get the ball to go down.” Cards’ opponents are 15-0 this season. “There are no moral victories, but none of these teams have lost, and they all could win their conference championships,” Dolan said, noting that playing a strong schedule early will reap benefits. The Cards drew first blood and built a 6-2 lead with baskets by Jay Kettler, Sam Marsnik and Jeremiah Simones. Kyle McCreight and Chad Hansen added baskets to give the Cards a 10-8 lead. The ball started falling in the hoop for Justin Hoefer, especially in the second half, as he hit key shots that kept the Cardinals close. Becker led 15-14 before Chad Hansen hit a three to give Annandale the lead. Trailing by four a few minutes later, McCreight hit a three to make it a one-point game, 21-20 Becker. The two clubs exchanged baskets, and Becker led 24-23 at the half. It was a competitive, physical game. Annandale’s Kettler and Becker’s Matt Veldman each wrestled for position in the paint, with fouls called on both. While it was an early season, non-conference game, the hustle meter was near playoff level for both teams. “Jay (Kettler) brings a presence to the game that goes beyond the scoreboard. He doesn’t back down,” the coach said of the 6’5” senior. Becker built the lead to seven, 30-23, in the second half, before Hoefer hit his first three – the beginning of nine straight by the quick guard. He got the Cards within two with another three, but Becker was also scoring on its end. The Bulldogs had a little run of their own and led by eight, 42-24, before McCreight got a nice fast break bucket (that was called goaltending), Hoefer hit a long baseline three and Marsnik hit a pair of free throws. The Cards trailed by just three, 44-41. “Justin really got going for us … he had a good game.” Hoefer led Annandale with 14 points, including three threes. McCreight had nine, Hansen seven, Marsnik five, Kettler four, and Simones, two. On defense the Cards played well, Dolan said, as they are not allowing that many points per game against high scoring teams. Eric Bergman led Becker with 16 while Tim Langer had 10. Becker shot 7-8 from the line while the Cards were 4-1. – Having played three solid programs in as many weeks, the Cards should get in the win column this week when they play in the Howard Lake Holiday Tournament. Beginning Tuesday, Dec. 27, the Cards will open the eight-team HL tournament at 6:30 p.m. when they play Oh Day Aki charter school. If they win, they will play at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, and if they continue winning, they play at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday. Should they lose, they will play at 3 p.m. on Wednesday (and Thursday, should they lose on Wednesday). All games are played at Howard Lake High School, and the Cards are assured three games. With strong guard play in the first three games, Dolan said he will shift the focus to more up-tempo. “We’ll start to create some easier shots for our kids.” Other teams participating are host HL-W-W, Atwater, Meadow Creek, Zimmerman, Dassel-Cokato, Heritage Christian and Southwest Christian. – Annandale will open the Wright County Conference season at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 6, at Waconia. The Cards host Watertown-Mayer on Tuesday, Jan. 11.
