Minden’s Crimson Tide couldn’t overcome an ice-cold start in the LHSAA Division II non-select semifinal game Thursday in Lake Charles, losing by 51-35 to Bossier’s streaking Bearkats.

Bossier wasn’t piling up points in the first half, but the Tide managed only 11 points over the first two quarters to go into halftime trailing 22-11.

A comeback attempt by the Tide shaved the lead to single digits late in the third quarter, but Bossier pulled away on the strength of free throws and offensive second attempts to move into the championship game against number one seed Wossman on Saturday.

“We have nothing to be ashamed of,” Tide head coach Jacob Brown said in a post game interview. “People often remember the last game…we are not defined by this last game.”

Bossier’s free throws and baskets at the rim off offensive rebounds combined with Minden’s missed shots proved to be the difference in the game, the coach said.

Brown, in his second year as the boys’ head coach, guided Minden to a 22-4 season record and a trip to the state tournament for the first time since 2001. His goal is for the team to return to the Top 28 on a frequent basis.

“I have a great bunch of heroes who did some special stuff. They laid it on the line for a great community,” Brown said in his interview. “We hope this is a continuous thing.”

Minden came into the semifinal game riding a nine-game winning streak. Ironically, its last loss had come at the hands of the Bearkats. Bossier, now 25-16 for the year, won its 15th in a row.

Minden was led by Darnell Morris with 15 points and 11 rebounds. For the Bearkats, Kameron Davenport had 15 and was joined in double figures by Kerel Woods (14) and T.J. Bunnery (10). Bunnery had a game-high 18 rebounds.

Bossier will be shooting for its fifth state championship since 2011.