It’s been great seeing the Bauer brothers play on the JWP boys’ basketball team over the years. They have great chemistry, and it seems they uplift each other well.
So, when this newspaper owner heard that one had broken the all-time school scoring record and the other had hit 1,000 points in the same game, it was almost no surprise. What a story.
In JWP’s 93-80 win against Springfield in the Southern Minnesota Hoops Fest at Kasson-Mantorville on Saturday, January 3, senior Daulton Bauer broke the school record held by Josh Ziemke for over 25 years. Younger brother Gavin, a sophomore, reached 1,000 points in the same game.
The boys’ performances were part of a massive onslaught by the Bulldogs against a stout Springfield Tigers team that’s looking to contend for the Section 2A title like JWP. It was a high-scoring game, something that the Bulldogs are used to.
“We didn’t play very well on the defensive end today,” he said. “They are a good basketball team, and they handled our pressure today.”
To be fair, it wasn’t a good day for either team defensively. James said Springfield had “a little trouble stopping us on the defensive end.” If scoring 93 on them was the result of the Tigers only having a “little” trouble, it’d be interesting to see what the score would look like on a bad day.
The Bulldogs stormed to a 9-2 lead early off of threes from the Bauer brothers. Springfield, however, made it clear that they weren’t going to be knocked down that easily. They responded by scoring a couple of baskets in a row. But the Bauers put the team on their back. A layup and a free throw by Gavin here, and a fake by Daulton to Gavin there, a three by Daulton, and it was a classic high-scoring affair.
Sophomore Jaxon Wolff provided a three-pointer, with senior Caleb Quast finding his stride near the end. However, despite the offensive slashing to Springfield’s defense, the Tigers scored their way out of their troubles, making it only 51-48 for JWP at halftime.
It seemed like it was going to be a shootout to the end, and it pretty much was. Although the Bauers combined for five points to begin the second half, Springfield tied it 60-60. However, they never had the lead throughout the game, and a Gaivn Weedman three followed by a Tyson Kronbach three kept the game just out of reach. Eventually, the Bulldogs pulled away for the 93-80 victory.
Daulton Bauer broke the school record thanks to his 31-point afternoon. Gavin Bauer reached 1,000 off a 27-point day. Caleb Quast had 19 points, and Gavin Weedman had six.
When asked about the Bauers’ achievements, here’s what James answered.
On Daulton: “To start, he’s a great kid, which, in my books, is all that matters. He is coachable and works insanely hard at whatever sport he is participating in. He is exceptional in the classroom and, as a leader, he is exactly who you want leading your teams. He is always giving you 100%. There is no surprise he is getting all those records; it’s how hard he has worked at all of them.”
On Gavin: “Gavin started a minor stint as a 7th grader. You need to remind yourself he is still just a sophomore! Usually, when someone has been part of the varsity for 4 years, they are a senior. He also works very hard on his game, and it shows; he is a very talented player who keeps getting better.“
We got to interview the Bauers about their achievement. Neither knew they hit their milestones until after the game, which they agreed was smart.
“I honestly didn’t even know I was that close,” Gavin said. “I thought I was still a couple of hundred points away. But I think if I knew, I wouldn’t have played my game as well. I would have tried too hard to get it.”
Daulton remembered when he hit 1,000. “I was nervous about hitting it all game,” he said. “You start playing off, and you’re not playing the right way. I think the way the coaches did it – not telling us until after the game – was good for us.”
There’s no denying that these two have chemistry, and they both credit that to practice. “We guard each other every day,” Gavin said. “I think doing that and making each other overall is the best way to do it.”
“This is our third year playing together,” Daulton added. “At this point, we just kind of click. It’s probably easier for us because we’re siblings. We have a built-in chemistry in that way. And we realize we need each other to help our team win.”
It’s no secret that Daulton is an all-around talented athlete. He holds career records in touchdowns and passing yards as a quarterback in football, has been part of record-breaking relay teams in track, and now holds the career points record in basketball. But Coach James smartly pointed out that he’s talented in the classroom and in academics.
“Over the years…freshman year, I didn’t realize how much academics meant for me later in life,” Daulton said. “If you want to go to a good school, even to play basketball, you have to have good grades. That’s why they tie hand-in-hand. You have to do as well in your education as you do in practice. There will be a point where I can’t play basketball anymore, and I will have to rely on my knowledge.”
Daulton might have the record now, but Gavin could be going for it once he graduates. After all, as a sophomore, he’s already at 1,000 points, a milestone Daulton hit in his career. Does he think he can do it?
“I think so,” Gavin replied. “I think if I play my game and don’t hog the ball, I can do it.”
“I’m counting on it,” Daulton told him. “I don’t plan on having the record for long.”
JWP played Le Sueur-Henderson at home on Tuesday, January 6, and defeated them 92-55. They will host Medford on Friday, January 9.
