Bemidji Girls’ Basketball Leans on Senior Leadership Early in 2025-26 Campaign

Sometimes you learn more from a loss than a win, and that certainly could be said of Bemidji girls’ basketball. The Lumberjacks fell just short of a comeback in their season opener, missing a game winner at the buzzer for a 61-60 loss to Little Falls.

Since then, they’ve rattled off four straight wins, all on the road, with an average margin of victory of 33 points. But it hasn’t been just one player stepping up for the Jacks, as they’ve been getting production from multiple sources.

“It’s important that we each know our strengths, and that we know when to step up and when to allow others to step up,” said senior Anysia Pink. “But it just, it really stems from coming together as one, and realizing each other’s strengths and finding each other’s strengths and working on those.”

“We have a really well-rounded, talented team and that’s been good,” added senior Clara Bieber of everyone’s ability to contribute. “We’ve been using each other and just trying to play unselfish and ultimately, [we all] have the same goal of winning the game at the end.”

Another reason for Bemidji’s turnaround can be attributed to their game experience coupled with senior leadership. The Lumberjacks returned seven seniors to their varsity roster after only graduating two players last season, and that maturity has shone through in the early part of their campaign.

“I think we figured out how to work together as a team more, we figured out how to put two halves of basketball together instead of just one, and I think that’s helped us a lot,” explained senior Liv Thompson. “We’re a tight-knit group of girls. We’re like family with one another. And I think that really is going to show throughout the year, and it’s going to help us come together at the end.”

Speaking of seniors, Thursday, December 11 is senior night for the Jacks. Liv Thompson, Ruby McKeon, Anysia Pink, Clara Bieber, Kayce Christiansen, Olivia Birt, and Abby Daman will all be recognized before their game against Hibbing.

However, that game has been moved to Bemidji State University due to technical difficulties with the basketball hoops in the BHS gymnasium. Tip-off is still scheduled for 7:15 p.m.