Breckenridge makes statement with win over perham

Photos by Carol Colby • Jonah Christensen led the Cowboys in assists and scored 16 points

breckenridge improves to 4-0 with key section 8aa win

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• By Robert Wanek Jr.

After going 13-14 a season ago, it was fair to wonder how Breckenridge would stack up against perennial Class 2A powerhouse Perham in 2021. The Cowboys made a big statement in Section 8AA with a 59-46 home win over the Yellowjackets on Saturday. 

Breckenridge’s last win against Perham came three years ago in the Section 8AA Championship game when they infamously knocked off a 29-0 Yellowjackets squad. 

Saturday’s game remained scoreless for nearly four minutes, but Cooper Yaggie cracked the ice with a three on his way to a game-high 17 points. The senior guard created chaos on both sides of the ball, blazing to the bucket and applying full-court pressure on Perham’s point guards.

Jonah Christensen’s patience in the post paid dividends, as the senior scored a season-high 16 points. Using double, and sometimes triple moves to step past defenders and finish at the block, Christensen had the Yellowjacket players in a spin cycle with throwback moves.

The highlight of the half came from Jacob Vizenor. Perham pitched the ball up court, but Vizenor took off in a sprint and timed his jump perfectly for a monstrous block that went to the Cowboy bench. Moments later, he got just as high on a rebound that provided another energy boost for the home team. ​​

Fresh off a 7-for-7 shooting performance from 3-PT range for Adam Ohm, he missed his first four attempts in this one. As the saying goes, “Shooter’s gonna shoot,” and that he did, burying two key threes just before the break. Breckenridge got caught sleeping on the last inbound play of the half, giving up an easy layup at the buzzer which cut the Cowboy lead to 23-19. ​

Cooper Yaggie saves the basketball for an Anthony Conzemius layup against Perham

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RISE UP YOUNG MAN □

Jacob Vizenor elevated for a monster block in Breckenridge's win over Perham. #NoFlyZone

□️ @CoachWanek pic.twitter.com/ihn9N6FPHD

— Breck Sports Talk (@BreckSportsTalk) January 30, 2021

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Bring that same energy. 4-0. Breckenridge is a problem □

The save by Cooper Yaggie that leads to an Anthony Conzemius putback □

□️ @CoachWanek pic.twitter.com/Pzh999zuDa

— Breck Sports Talk (@BreckSportsTalk) January 31, 2021

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Jacob Vizenor continues to find ways to contribute in his return to the basketball court as a senior reserve

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Junior Perez came out of the locker room and drilled two triples, while continuing his menacing defense. He’s become one of the best perimeter defenders in the state of Minnesota. He forced Perham into a number of errant passes and dribbles out of bounds. He finished with 6 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists. 

Finn Diggins scored a huge block on Yaggie, but the ball found it’s way to Reese Pederson who kissed a three off the glass and extended the lead to 39-25. Breckenridge led by as many as 18 in the second half, before a late Perham run cut the lead to 10 at 55-45. Breckenridge wouldn’t break, as Yaggie proved clutch at the free-throw line, making 10-of-14 attempts. 

Anthony Conzemius continued his rebounding reign with 10, chipping in 8 points including an athletic putback following a circus save by Yaggie in the first half. 

Breckenridge showed teamwork in taking the best available shot on most possessions, with capable offensive players across the court. This unselfishness has made them a dynamic threat during their first 4-0 start in over a decade. The Cowboys will host Barnesville (2-1) on Tuesday, February 2nd in Breckenridge at 7:30 p.m.
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