The Bearcats’ final possession ended with Hettich and Trevor Zacher blocking all-stater Jacob Hagler’s shot from inside the lane with time running out.

Beulah coach Jeremy Brandt said last December’s 74-49 debacle in Beulah was the furthest thing from his players’ minds this weekend.

“That was a long time ago. We immediately put it behind us and moved on,” he said. “We just focused on getting better, and we became a much better team. We knew it might be different if we ever played them again. We got another chance, and this time we came out on top. The kids deserve so much credit.”

North Star coach Jeff Hagler, who was named Class B boys basketball coach of the year, was quick to give credit to the Miners.

“They’re a good team. Very athletic,” he said. “They played a great game tonight. The last time we played them I think we caught them a little off guard. We were able to control the tempo. This time, they played great defense and took a lot away from us.”

The two teams traded punches from the start. North Star led 17-13 at the end of the first quarter, but Beulah held a 26-25 lead at halftime. The Bearcats carried a 39-37 edge into the fourth quarter, but after holding the biggest lead of the game, 39-32.