After completing the regular season with a 14-12 record, the BSM boys’ basketball team enters the section 6AAA tournament as the #5 seed with very high hopes for what the offseason may hold.

With a starting lineup that includes five seniors, the team believes that the experience that they have gained over the past four years can really help propel them through the section tournament and hopefully into the state tourney. “The fact that we are an older team has really helped us this year because the chemistry between us was already there. Also, we understand each other’s tendencies and can play to each other’s strengths,” senior captain Riley Miller said.

Two players who have played a pivotal role in this years success are Riley Miller and Joe Dunn. Miller, who starts at point guard for the Red Knights, has really flourished this season. He has averaged 13.2 points and highlighted his impressive season with a clutch three-point game winner against conference rivals Robbinsdale Cooper.  “Riley Miller has stepped up this season and is really playing his best basketball right now,” senior Gabe Alada said.

Joe Dunn, the other captain, entered the season with a lot to live up to after it was announced that he would be wearing #23 this season. Being awarded jersey #23 is considered an accomplishment because it is only given to team leaders who have proven themselves in previous years. Dunn has been a dominant presence in the paint this season. He has to lead the team in double-doubles and has averaged 13.2 points per game. “Wearing number 23 is a huge honor and I am very glad that my coach believed in me enough to give me this award,” Dunn said.

BSM’s road to state is arguably one of the hardest in the state, section 6AAA has some of the top teams in Class AAA. DeLaSalle (BSM’s biggest rival) has won six straight State Titles and won the section each of the past eight years. Orono, who is also in section 6AAA, has one of the top recruits in Minnesota, Jarvis Omersa, who is a power forward who has multiple division one offers and is committed to the University of Minnesota. “Even though we have a very difficult section, if we hit our stride and begin to play our best basketball, I think we can turn a lot of heads,” Alada said.