Junior Isaac Severts threw down six dunks as part of a 31-point performance and Bemidji boys basketball scored 50 first-half points on the way to dominating St. Francis 83-51 in its season opener on Saturday at the Bemidji High School Fieldhouse.
Bemidji’s first bucket of the new season came courtesy of one of its seniors when Khai Branham dropped in a hook shot.
Severts put on a show throughout the game with his high-flying rim attacks, doing much of his damage in the first half.
Ethan Biehn mixed in some guard scoring with a basket through contact to continue growing the lead in the first half.
While Severts’ 24 first-half points were a major story on offense, Gavin Luksik’s incredible nine steals in the first half were a major part of leading to the runout slams that occurred at the other end of the floor.
The Lumberjacks piled up a 50-30 halftime lead, capping the soaring frame with a steal and layup by Kenley Vincent for more points in transition.
Defense again turned into offense in the second half for Bemidji, first on a rejection by Severts and later on swarming pressure by Vincent to create a throwaway.
Severts capped off his outstanding afternoon with a finish through contact inside before a one-handed hammer for his sixth and final jam.
Luksik went from provider to scorer later in the second half, finishing an alley-oop from Sam Wilson before dropping in a pass supplied by Severts.
Biehn added an exclamation point with a deep triple to cap off the massive scoreline for Bemidji.
Bemidji will take to the road next for a Section 8AAAA game at Sartell-St. Stephen on Tuesday evening at 7:30pm. The game can be heard on KBUN-FM 104.5 and Lumberjacks1 at kbunsportsradio.com.
Postgame interview with Bemidji head coach Steve Thompson: