Beulah dominates at county invitational
By Suzanne Werre, BHG News Service
The Beulah Miners took a walk through the park this past weekend on their way to claiming the championship title of the McLean County Invitational Tournament, winning each of their three games by an average of just over 50 points. The reigning state champion Miners defeated New England 74-21 to claim the invitational title Saturday night in Underwood. On their way to the title, the Miners pummeled Center-Stanton 84-26 semifinal night, and Underwood 70-27 in opening round action. Garrison claimed third place in the tourney with a 58-38 win over Center-Stanton led by as 27-point scoring effort from Mykle Rud, while Washburn knocked off Beulah JV for third place by the score of 68-35. Seventh place went to Underwood, which bumped off Max 51-41 as Jeremy Wirtz poured in 26 points to pace the Comets. In the title game, the Miners made it clear their second-spot ranking in the state polls isn’t for nothing, as they knocked in 51.7 percent (30 of 58) of their field goals from two-point range, and 53.3 percent (8 of 15) from long range. They actually shot better from the field than they did from the free throw line, hitting six of 14 from the charity stripe for 42.9 percent. Eleven different players scored for Beulah, led by Cody Nelson’s 16 and Jesse Hettich’s 13. Hettich also hauled down 10 boards for Beulah. Beulah not only dominated on offense, the Miners were tenacious on defense, forcing 23 turnovers and allowing the Tigers to make good on just 17.1 percent (7 of 41) from two-point range and a paltry 7.1 percent (1 of 14) from three-point land.
