Editor’s Note: The Independent will update the online version of this story by putting the latest games at the top. The newspaper itself will have the stories in chronological order
30-win season is best in Bulldog program history
The Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton boys’ basketball team has already made history by making the Class A state championship game. They were hoping to win it all and bring home the program’s first-ever state championship, and the school’s second-ever team state championship (the second in a calendar year).
But sadly, it wasn’t in the cards.
JWP had troubles against Hills-Beaver Creek during the state championship game on Saturday, March 28. The Patriots, seeded #5, had been in very close games, narrowly beating #3 Southland by three points and needing overtime to defeat #1 Henning.
However, the game wasn’t close, and the Patriots outperformed the Bulldogs by a score of 64-33.
Much of the issues were the team’s scoring woes. Head Coach Nick James shared some concerns about the team’s lack of shooting accuracy throughout the season. The Gopher Conference championship game against Triton and the first round of the section playoffs against Martin Luther-GHEC-Truman were examples of the struggles.
However, the shooting was serviceable throughout their first two games in the state tournament.
That’s why the problems with accuracy came at the absolute worst time.
While they scored the first three points of the game, Hills-Beaver Creek outscored them 32-6 throughout the remainder of the first half. JWP fans didn’t like the officiating throughout the game so much, and it affected the team’s ability to attack the paint. However, it’s difficult to complain about not getting calls when you don’t give yourself a chance. JWP went 3-24 on field goals in the first half. You’re not winning any game with those numbers. The Patriots also had 19 defensive rebounds to JWP’s three offensive rebounds in the first half.
After a 32-9 half, JWP had some life, going on a quick 6-1 run to cut the deficit to nearly half. It looked possible after a few threes fell their way that they could make it into a game, but Hills-Beaver Creek called a timeout, and they were able to take relative control of the game. Once again, JWP just couldn’t get shots to fall. Routine layups by Daulton Bauer missed their mark most of the time, and rebounds by Gavin Bauer wouldn’t land. Three-pointers would hit the rim and bounce out.
After it was a foregone conclusion that JWP was losing the championship, Coach James put in seniors Michael Walker and Zander Terbeest. Walker had a three-pointer go in, but it sadly didn’t count as James called a timeout. Following the game, the boys received the Class A runner-up title, and the Bauer brothers were named to the all-tournament team.
It was a tough way to go out of the program’s best finish in its history. But the boys should still be proud of themselves. This reporter felt a tug at his heart when D. Bauer started hugging the players on the bench. It felt like the end of an era. The four seniors – Bauer, Quast, Terbeest, and Walker – have contributed so much to the program. Bauer and Quast served as a great tandem of captains, Walker was a fan favorite, and Terbeest, while not getting much playing time, seemed able to sink threes at will, including a trio of threes in his few minutes in a game at New Richland-HEG in February.
While the way they lost stung, the boys still received the Class A runner-up title, another great addition to the trophy case that showcases many of JWP’s successes. The following evening, the boys received a great welcome home celebration.
Activities Director Nicci Malecha gave a speech before the coaches and captains talked to the crowd in the High School Gym. “151 teams competed in section tournaments within Class A,” Malecha said. “JWP was number two in the state. That is a great accomplishment and speaks to the hard work and dedication that these boys put into this season.”
Coach James spoke a bit about the team’s success this season. He shared that the team’s 30-4 overall record was the best record out of any JWP boys’ basketball team. It’s also the first time any boys’ basketball team reached 30 wins. He shared some unfortunate news that Captain Caleb Quast was about 50 points short of making 1,000 points in his career. Still, he applauded his leadership and effort on the court.
He wished the seniors well. “You’ve been with me for many years, and I thank you for being there,” he said. To the other players and the kids in the crowd aspiring to play for the varsity team, he said, “Work hard and have fun. I expect you to be here and do that, so that someday, you can have this experience, too.”
The captains spoke. Quast’s speech was classic Caleb: short and sweet. He thanked the fans for their support and the coaches for pushing him to be the best player he can be. If the speech were 30 seconds long, that would be a surprise.
Daulton Bauer’s speech was a little longer. He repeated what Quast said. “The fact that we could fill an NBA stadium was mind-blowing to me.”
Following the speeches was an autograph signing by the players. Many kids and some of their parents lined up to get their signatures.
While this reporter mentioned earlier that this feels like the end of an era, perhaps it’s only the beginning. While the team will miss the leadership on and off the court from the four seniors, it could be the start of a fantastic run. After all, the teams they faced at state – Hills-Beaver Creek, Red Lake County, and Cherry – have made multiple trips there before. JWP has the potential to do it again, including a core group of players that will be around next season, and a few more that will be around for a couple of seasons. We’ll just have to wait until next season to see.
After a rough start, a few runs help JWP defeat #3 Red Lake County 67-58
The boys’ 67-58 win over #3 Red Lake County was a big one. While the opening wasn’t that great for the Bulldogs, it isn’t how you start. It’s how you finish.
JWP’s boys worked their way through a tough Red Lake County squad to take the 67-58 victory over their Rebels.
The RLC five didn’t waste any time putting points on the board. They scored their first three-pointer in about 30 seconds. After both teams tested each other again, another three rang true.
At one point, JWP fell behind by double-digits. RLC was making Daulton Bauer work for every point. But others came in clutch. Caleb Quast, who was limited to only a handful of points in JWP’s game against Cherry, fought hard in the paint for a few buckets. A 3 by Wolff here and another 3 by Weedman there, and an all-out assault by Gavin Bauer helped the team climb their way back into it.
The team’s work resulted in a 15-2 run to end the first half, and for their efforts, they earned a 32-29 lead. Both of Daulton Bauer’s free throws sealed the lead.
The older Bauer may have been limited to mostly free-throw tries in the first half, but that wasn’t the case in the second half. After G. Bauer hit a two-pointer, Daulton started the scoring for the Bulldogs with a two-pointer. Suddenly, they went from locking the senior down to having trouble containing him. He was left open for two fast breaks, and suddenly, the Bulldogs were up by nearly double-digits themselves.
The Rebels brought it back within a score almost halfway into the second, 44-42. But that was as close to taking back the lead as they could get. Another run, this time a 16-5 onslaught, pretty much sealed it. The run was capped by a huge three-pointer from the win by junior Gavin Weedman, and that was about it.
RLC had a few last gasps of breath. Credit to them; they never quit. But a few free throws by D. Bauer and one by Weedman let JWP cruise to the 67-58 victory.
The older Bauer led the team again, this time netting 29 points. Gavin Bauer was much more limited, but he still contributed 16 points and seven rebounds. Caleb Quast entered the double digits, putting up 12 points. Gavin Weedman had seven, and Jaxon Wolff contributed his one three-pointer.
#1 Henning, previously undefeated heading into their semifinal matchup, was knocked out by #5 Hills-Beaver Creek in overtime 61-57. That means JWP will likely be the home team as the higher-seeded remaining team. Good luck, Bulldog boys.
Bauer Power propels Bulldogs past Cherry in 81-72 victory
The whole state of Minnesota got to see Bauer Power in effect on Thursday, March 26, as the #2 JWP boys’ basketball team played against #7 Cherry. The Tigers have some history at the state tournament, including winning a state title two seasons ago and being the runner-up last year.
Some thought Cherry could upset the Bulldogs. But JWP proved them wrong.
While JWP has the Bauer brothers, Cherry had a family duo of their own – the Asuma cousins. The Asumas have a rich basketball history. Isaac Asuma currently plays for the University of Minnesota men’s basketball team and was one of the key contributors to Cherry’s state title victory in 2024.
The cousins, Noah and Isaiah Asuma, combined to score 61 of Cherry’s 72 points. But the Bauers were superior, combining for 71 of JWP’s 81 points.
Senior Daulton Bauer got things rolling with a step-back two-pointer. Cherry was showing aggression on both sides of the ball early. However, they were being a little too aggressive, as both Bauer brothers had a chance at the free-throw line early.
But every time JWP seemed poised to break the game wide open, Cherry fought back. They took a brief 8-7 lead, but the Bulldogs kept chipping away. Eventually, Cherry took a timeout when the boys went on a 7-0 run. JWP’s speed seemed to overwhelm the Tigers at times. Gavin Weedman stole the ball, found Daulton Bauer open on the other side of the court, and he set up Gavin Bauer for the two.
But again, Cherry proved they were a team with history at state for a reason, as they regained their composure and kept climbing back into it. JWP had a 34-28 lead near the closing minutes of the first half, and the Tigers took another brief lead, this time 35-34. The Bulldogs escaped the half with a narrow 38-37 lead.
Head Coach Nick James said the first five minutes of the second half really set the tone for the rest of the game. “That was important to us,” he said.
Although Cherry opened the scoring with a three-pointer, Gavin Bauer responded right away with a corner three-pointer of his own. Quast provided two points at the free throw line, and from there, it was a battle between Bauer Power and Asuma Magic. The Tigers seemed frustrated, and one of their players, Kalub Brown, fouled out.
At one point, JWP had a double-digit lead, but Cherry kept fighting until the end. The Bulldogs took advantage of the Tigers’ fouling woes to secure an 81-72 victory. Daulton Bauer led the way with 39 points, with Gavin Bauer providing 32.
