BHS boys earn OT win in opener

Bears beat Ralston, too

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The Blair boys basketball team outscored Harlan (Iowa) 9-5 during Thursday's overtime period, earning a 64-60 road win to open the 2020-21 season.
“Our guys found another gear in the fourth quarter and overtime,” Bears coach Chris Whitwer said. “They played together and executed much better down the stretch. I'm really proud of how we handled adversity.”
Kip Tupa and Luke Ladwig went 3-for-4 from the foul line in OT to push BHS to 1-0 during their 2-0 opening weekend.
“Ball security and free throws helped us come away with the win,” Whitwer said. “A great team effort, and positive leadership helped us take a big step forward as a team.”
Sawyer Lawton led the Bears in scoring with 16 points. The junior guard knocked down four 3-pointers, while Ladwig made two during a 15-point effort. Jacob Czapla and Cade Ulven added eight points apiece, while Wyatt Ogle and Tupa had six each. Morgan Rump scored five in the road win.

Bears come back to top Rams
In their second game, the Bears beat Ralston 52-46.
Saturday's comeback against the Rams started with Ladwig and Czapla combining for all 15 of Blair's third-quarter points.
Ladwig notched 10 of his game-high 21, while Czapla scored five, including the two just before the end of the period that pulled BHS within 37-33. The pair's back-to-back 3-pointers to start the fourth then put the Bears ahead of the Rams for good.
“I knew I hadn't taken as many shots as a I needed to and I needed step up and knock some down to get some momentum going,” Ladwig said. “Get the rest of my guys going.”
His efforts worked as Tupa's long-range make pushed BHS' advantage to 42-37.
“It's just like a different level of energy,” Czapla said of the momentum. “It boosts you up. Everybody gets hype around everybody. It's just a great feeling to have.”
Blair trailed 27-18 at halftime, but earned a lead by the early stages of the fourth period. It then held off the Rams with free throws, moving to 2-0 on the young season.
“We worked hard in practice for this,” Ladwig said.
Last season, the Bears finished just 4-18. This year, they believe they can be better.
“I think we believe in ourselves a lot,” Ladwig said. “I think we know what we can do and we're playing with a chip on our shoulder.”
Blair next plays Friday at Waverly.

Blair boys basketball