BOLD is living up to its acronym and putting perhaps its best team ever on the court.
With a victory Thursday over Melrose, the No. 2-1A Warriors (18-0, 9-0) could effectively ensure their first West Central Conference championship. It would also be the Warriors' second victory this season against Melrose (11-4, 7-1) after breaking a nine-game losing streak against the Dutchmen with a 66-37 home victory on Dec. 18.
"That was a big win for us as a program because we hadn't beaten them in so long," BOLD coach Jake Brustuen said in an email. "To finally steal one from them was a big win for the boys."
Brustuen and the Warriors are hoping for more big wins to come. A trio of guards — Jordan Sagedahl (19.2 ppg, 5.0 rpg), Gavin Vosika (19.0 ppg, 6.5 rpg) and Drew Sagedahl (14.1 ppg) — leads the way. Forward Carter Henry chips in with 10.3 points and 4.7 rebounds per game.
Melrose, the 2015 Class 2A champion, is having another good season, but Dutchmen coach Ryan Dusha isn't surprised to be overshadowed by the Warriors so far this season.
"They are as good as advertised and have a legitimate chance to win a state championship," Dusha said via email. "You have to limit them to one shot and have no live-ball turnovers, as they are so explosive offensively. ... We will have to play our best game of the year if we want to have a chance at winning."
Preston Keaveny, a 44-percent shooter from three-point range, leads the Dutchmen with an 18.5-point scoring average. Rowan Nelson averages 12.3 points and 6.4 rebounds and Reegan Nelson adds 11.1 points and 5.9 rebounds.