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Braham holds off Minnehaha Academy for title

By Amelia Rayno, Star Tribune Staff Writer, 03/19/11, 1:30PM CDT

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Rebekah Dahlman led the way with 23 points


Braham players with the Class 2A trophy. Bruce Bisping, Star Tribune

In 2009, Braham made the girls’ basketball state tournament for the first time since 1974, losing in the quarterfinals. Last year, it was runner-up.

Saturday, the third time was the charm for the Bombers, as they beat out Minnehaha Academy 68-61 for the 2A championship, their first in girls’ hoops.

For most of the players, who have mainly stayed together as a team since they were in elementary school, it was the final vindication after years of hard work.

“This is so emotional,” said senior Hannah Dahlman (six points, six rebounds), who broke down, hugging her sophomore teammate and sister, Rebekah, as players received their medals. “All the hours we put in. All the blood, sweat and tears. It just poured out of me. We’re just on top of the world right now.”

Braham held the lead for most of the first half on a 10-point performance, which included two three-pointers from Kelsey Sorenson-Giffrow. But Minnehaha returned from eight back to close the half down 24-20, getting a late three-pointer from Nicole Nipper.

The Bombers came out hot immediately after the half, with Liz Anderson drilling a quick three to bring the lead to seven. Braham stretched it to as great as 13 before the Redhawks again started slowly coming back.

Minnehaha cut the deficit to five with five minutes left on consecutive baskets from Sarina Baker — who was extremely tough at the basket, finishing with 25 points and 11 rebounds — and a layup from Nipper, and then later cut it to two on another Baker layup.

“It felt like it was a war out there,” Hannah Dahlman said.

Added Rebekah: “That’s when we stepped up the most, though. We just wanted it so bad.”

Braham responded with an 8-2 run, including Rebekah Dahlman’s 6-for-6 performance from the free-throw line. She finished with 23 points and 12 rebounds and went 17-for-18 on free throws.

“We didn’t want them on the line — that was a point of emphasis, but they got there,” Minnehaha coach Josh Thurow said. “And that was the tale of the game.”

Said Braham coach Tim Malone of Rebekah Dahlman: “As soon as you think the gas tank might be empty, I’m not sure how she does it, but she finds one more gear. … The rest of them feed off that, for sure.”

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