ORONO WENT UP AGAINST MINNEAPOLIS HENRY IN A BOYS’ SECTION BASKETBALL GAME

On March 5, Orono and Minneapolis Henry went up against each other in a section quarterfinal boys’ basketball game. 

Henry looked to set the tempo of the game early. They pushed the ball down the floor and looked to get the ball into the hands of Isiah Dean Smith and Glentrell La’Von Carter. Both of whom looked to come up with mid-range jump shots and layups. 

Henry started on the offensive end as they jumped out to a quick 5-0 lead with 16:14 left in the first half. 

Henry was able to get the ball into the hands of Carter. Carter brought the ball down the floor and was able to step up and knock down mid-range jump shots and layups throughout the first half. The defense had a tough time slowing him down on the offensive end. 

Orono looked to push the ball down the floor and looked to make layups in transition. 

Henry called a timeout with 12:54 left in the first half. The score was Henry 12, Orono 4.

Henry pushed the ball down the floor and looked to come up with layups and jump shots in the first half. 

Henry’s Jamar Garner came up with mid-range jump shots and layups throughout the first half. He was able to come off screens and get his teammates involved in the offense. Teammate Smith also stepped up and knocked down shots throughout the first half. 

Henry pushed the ball down the floor, but they also took their time on the offensive end. Henry did a good job of getting everyone involved in the offense. 

Orono struggled shooting early in the first half. Even though they struggled they kept on looking for their shots and moving the ball around on the offensive end. 

Henry swung the ball around the 3-point line as everyone was involved in the offense. Henry also did a good job of talking to each other on both ends of the floor. Henry was able to frustrate Orono on both ends of the floor throughout the first half. 

Henry’s Thomas Evans looked to come up with layups in transition, if Evans thought that he had a fast break he would take advantage of it and got down the floor and pass the defense.

Orono’s Sebastian Loder came up with 3-point shots and layups in the first half to keep Orono in the game. He did a good job of getting his teammates in the offense and letting them know when a screen was coming. 

There were multiple ties and lead changes late in the first half. 

Henry’s Yusuf Abdullah stepped up and knocked down deep 3-point shots in the second half. 

Orono called a timeout with 2:01 left in the first half. The score was Henry 30, Orono 22. 

Both teams raced down the floor looking for and coming up with fast-break layups late in the first half. 

At halftime, the score was Henry 36, Orono 26.  

As the second half got underway Henry looked to get the ball into the hands of Yusuf Abdullah. He was able to come up with mid-range jump shots and layups off screens. He also knocked down 3-point shots. 

Orono started the second half in a zone defense.

Henry called a timeout with 15:30 left in regulation. The score was Henry 36, Orono 30. 

Smith and Carter and Abdullah call came up with shots to keep Henry in the game in the second half. 

Orono looked to set the tempo in the second half. They looked to keep attacking the basket and get their shots to fall. 

Henry looked to trap Orono and come up with steals and layups in regulation. 

Orono called a timeout with 10:52 left in regulation. The score was Henry 42, Orono 38.

Henry’s De’Lon Gardner came up with 3-point shots that kept Henry in the game. Teammate Smith stepped up and knocked down 3-point shots. Carter set the tempo and directed his teammates’ offense throughout the second half. Henry was really in sync on both ends of the floor. 

Orono called a timeout with 7:23 left in regulation. The score was Henry 55, Orono 40.

Carter knocked down free throws in the second half. He wasn’t afraid to attack the basket in traffic and take layups in traffic. 

Henry called a timeout with 6:15 left in regulation. The score was Henry 57, Orono 42. 

Orono kept the defensive pressure on as they were able to get Orono out of rhythm on both ends of the floor. 

 Orono called a timeout with 4:22 left in regulation. The sore was Henry 59, Orono 48.

Orono looked to trap the ball and turn Henry over. Orono went to a man-to-man full-court press. Henry was able to get past the trap and get to the basket. 

Orono called a timeout with 28.5 seconds left in regulation. The score was Henry 66, Orono 55.

Orono fought back and both teams played hard throughout the game. Henry came away with the 68-58 victory over Orono. 

The leading scorers for Orono were Loder with 14 points, Beltrand with 13 points, Mandel with 11 points. 

The leading scorers for Henry were Smith with 14 points, De’Lon Gardner with 13 points, Jamer Gardner and Yusuf Abdullah each with 8 points. 

I was joined by the Twin Cities Hoop Czar. Check out his thoughts of the Orono vs. Henry boys’ section game. 

ORONO WENT UP AGAINST CHOF IN A BOYS’ BASKETBALL GAME

Orono squared off against CHOF (Christ Household of Faith) in a boys’ basketball game. The game was played at Minnehaha Academy.

As the game got underway CHOF pushed the ball down the floor and looked to score baskets in transition.  CHOF got everyone involved in the offense. 

CHOF called a timeout with 12:27 left in the first half. The score was CHOF 10, Orono 11. 

Both teams raced up and down the floor looking for their shots. CHOF’s Clay Bluhm came up with mid-range jump shots and layups. 

Orono called a timeout with 10:40 left in the first half. The score was CHOF 16, Orono 11. 

Orono passed the ball around the 3-point line as they got everyone involved in the offense. 

CHOF played a zone defense that made Orono pass the ball around the 3-point line. That took a lot of time off the clock in the first half. 

There were multiple ties and lead changes throughout the first half. Neither team went on a run in the first half. 

CHOF called a timeout with 5:40 left in the first half. The score was tied at 20. 

The score went back and forth late in the first half. 

Orono did a good job of attacking the basket Orono’s Connor Chappell came up with a two-handed slam dunk.  That got his team’s energy back. 

CHOF called a timeout with 1:53 left in the first half. The score was CHOF 25, Orono 24. 

The score continued to go back and forth late in the first half. 

At halftime, the score was Orono 26. CHOF 25. 

As the second half got underway the score continued to go back early in the second half. 

Orono passed the ball around the 3-point line they looked to take time off the clock in the second half. 

CHOF’S Henry Bluhm, Isaac Collins and Preston Alleman all came up with shots in the second half. 

Orono called a timeout with 10:57 left in regulation. The score was tied at 35.

Both teams took a lot of time off the clock by swinging the ball around the 3-point line in the second half. 

Orono called a timeout with 8:57 left in regulation. The score was CHOF 39, Orono 37. 

Orono swung the ball around the 3-point line as they tried to get everyone involved in the offense. 

There were multiple ties and lead changes in the second half. Neither team went on a huge run. 

CHOF called a timeout with 5:20 left in regulation. The score was Orono 43, CHOF 42. 

Orono’s Chappell kept on coming up with mid-range jump shots and layups in the second half. The defense had a tough time slowing him down. 

The score went back and forth late in the game. There were several ties and lead changes late in the game. 

Orono called a timeout with 12.8 left in regulation. The score was CHOF 54, Orono 51. 

Orono’s Sebastian Loder hit a shot at the buzzer to tie the game at 54. 

The game was tied at 54 after the regulation. 

In the overtime period, both teams attacked the basket as they looked for their shots. Orono’s Graham Beltrand came up with mid-range jump shots and layups. His teammates were able to get him the ball in spots where he could shoot the ball. Teammate Chappell also shot the ball well late in the game. They were able to slow CHOF down on the offensive end. 

The Orono defense stepped up and slowed down the CHOF offense. CHOF struggled shooting the ball. 

Orono came away with the 64-56 overtime victory over CHOF. 

The leading scorers for CHOF were Preston Alleman with 18 points, Clay Bluhm with 12 points and Isaac Collins with 11 points. 

The leading scorers for Orono were Chappell with 25 and Graham Beltrand with 11 points. 

BRECK SQUARED UP AGAINST ORONO IN A BOYS’ BASKETBALL GAME

On Jan. 15, Breck and Orono squared off in a boys’ basketball game. The game was played at Totino Grace High School and was part of the 2018 Martin Luther King Holiday Classic.

Orono started the game in a zone defense. That made Breck swing the ball around the 3-point line.

Breck’s David Roddy was all over the floor. On the offensive end, Roddy came up with mid-range jump shots and layups. On the defensive end, Roddy was able to slow his guys down that he was guarding.

Breck used a man-to-man defense. They went to a full court press and that made it difficult for Orono to get the ball down the floor.

Orono’s Jarvis Omersa came up with layups and jump shots as his team got him the ball in the blow block.

Breck pushed the ball down the floor. Roddy was able to drive to the basket and wasn’t afraid of contact. He was able to make layups.

Breck called a timeout with 10:14 left in the first half. The score was Breck 15, Orono 12.

Both teams dove on the floor after loose balls and went after rebounds.

Orono took time off the clock was they swung the ball around the 3-point line. Breck switched up defenses as they looked to try to confuse Orono.

Breck called a timeout with 5:10 left in the first half. The score was tied at 21.

Breck’s zone defense allowed Orono to take 3-point shots. After the shot everyone rebounded.

Breck tried trap the ball before Orono got it past half court.

At halftime the score was Orono 31, Breck 30.

As the second half got underway Orono continued to swing the ball around the 3-point line and get everyone involved in the offense.

Orono’s offense came to live early in the second half. Breck couldn’t slow Orono down on the defensive end.

Neither team went on a run in the second half.

The defensive pressure that each team applied made it difficult for the other team to get an open look at the basket.

Orono called timeout with 9:21 left in regulation. The score was Orono 48, Breck 46.

There were multiple ties and lead changes in the second half.

Orono called a timeout with 5:43 left in regulation. The score was Orono 62, Orono 59.

Orono looked to keep the tempo in their favor, by swinging the ball around the 3-point line.

Neither team

Orono called a timeout with 1:53 left in regulation. The score was Breck 69, Orono 68.

As the game came down to the wire.

The score was tied at 70 at the end of regulation.

As the overtime period started Breck still passed the ball around the 3-point line and looked to get the ball inside.

Breck went into a zone defense and Orono looked to attack the basket.

Breck looked to attack the basket in transition.

Breck called a timeout with 50.7 left in the overtime period. The score was Orono 74, Breck 73.

Codute was found with 2.2 seconds left in the overtime period. He made the both shots and that tied the game at 75.

After the first overtime period the score was tied at 75.

Both teams kept of their defensive pressure

Orono went to a motion offense. They moved well without the ball. They dribbled around and made Breck guard them.

Orono came up with shots in the double overtime period.

Orono came away with the 84-79 double overtime victory over Breck.

ORONO WENT TOOK ON CRETIN-DERHAM HALL IN A BOYS’ BASKETBALL GAME

Orono and Cretin-Derham Hall squared off in a boys’ basketball game. The game got off to a quick start as both teams pushed the ball down the floor and scored baskets in transition.

Cretin-Derham Hall got the ball into the hands of Daniel Oturu. Oturu came up with mid-range jump shots and layups.

Orono came up with shots throughout the first half. They used their quickness to get past the Cretin-Derham Hall defense.

At halftime, the score was Cretin-Derham Hall 42, Orono 38.

As the second half got underway both teams came out attacking the basket on the offensive end.

Neither team gave up an easy shot.

Orono moved the ball well on the offensive end. They passed the ball to each other and communicated on both ends of the floor.

The defensive pressure that Cretin-Derham Hall applied made it difficult for Orono to make shots early in the second half.

Orono’s offense came to life late in the second half. They were able to make shots that they took, and they shared the ball on the offensive end.

Cretin came away with the 77-76 victory over Orono.

EDINA WENT UP AGAINST ORONO IN A BOYS’ BASKETBALL GAME

Edina and Orono squared off against each other in a boys’ basketball game. Orono got the ball into the hands of Ryan Biehn. Biehn made mid-range jump shots and layups.

There were several ties and lead changes early. Then with 8:00 left in the first half Orono strung shots together and they dropped.

Edina called a timeout with 6:55 left in the first half. The score was Orono 27, Edina 19.

The score continued to go back and forth throughout late in the first half.

The Orono offense got going late in the first half.

At halftime, the score was Orono 42, Edina 36.

As the second half got underway Edina continued to get the ball into the hands of Walt McGrory, McGrory came up with mid-range jump shots and layups. If he wasn’t open, he was able to get the ball into his teammates’ hands.

Edina’s Anders Nelson got hot in the second half. He stepped up and knocked down mid-range jump shots and layups. His teammates did a good job of getting him the ball in spots where he could shoot it.

Edina’s shots kept dropping with 11:00 minutes left in regulation. McGrory dropped some big shots in the second half. Him and Nelson kept Edina in the game.

There were several ties and lead changes throughout the second half.

Nelson and McGrory both knocked down mid-range jump shots and layups late in the game.

Orono called a timeout with 1:55 left in regulation. The score was Edina 74, Orono 68.

Edina moved the ball well late in the game. They came away with the 80-71 victory over Orono.

The leading scorers for Edina were Nelson and McGory each with 22 points.

The leading scorer for Orono was Bjorland with 18 points.

ORONO WENT UP AGAINST LAKEVILLE SOUTH IN A BOYS’ BASKETBALL GAME

Orono and Lakeville South squared off in a boys’ basketball game. The score went back and forth early.

Orono started the game in a zone defense. They wanted to make Lakeville South take deep 3-point baskets.

Lakeville South’s Shea Mitchell came up with mid-range jump shots and layups. His teammates did a good job of getting him the ball in spots where he could shoot it.

Neither team went on a run early in the first half.

Lakeville South passed the ball around the 3-point line as they wanted to confuse the Orono defense.

There were multiple ties and lead changes in the second first half.

Lakeville South called a timeout with 5:50 left in the first half. The score was Orono 30, Lakeville South 26.

Orono got everyone involved in the offense. They did a good job of coming off screens and talking to each other.

Mitchell kept on attacking the basket and could make mid-range jump shots and layups late in the first half.

At halftime, the score was Orono 41, Lakeville South 33.

As the second half got underway Orono kept on getting to the basket and coming up with mid-range jump shots and layups.

Orono’s Thomas Lecy came up with mid-range jump shots and layups in the second half.

Lakeville South called a timeout with 10:28 left in regulation. The score was Orono 61, Lakeville South 47.

Even though Lakeville South struggled shooting the ball they still could look for their shots.

Both teams fought hard throughout the game.

Orono came away with the 87-80 victory over Lakeville South.

ROCORI WENT UP AGAINST ORONO IN A BOYS’ BASKETBALL GAME

Rocori and Orono squared off in a boys’ basketball game. Orono pushed the ball down the floor and Rocori looked to trap the ball as they brought the ball down the court.

Rocori started the game in a zone defense. They wanted to make it hard for Orono to take open looks at the basket.

Orono looked to get the ball into the hands of Jarvis Thomas. Thomas called for the ball in the paint and looked to hit his layups and jump-shots. Teammate Max Bjorklund came up with layups.

Rocori’s Sam Olson came up with deep 3-point baskets to keep his team in the game. His teammates did a good job of getting him the ball in spots where he could shoot it.

Rocori called a timeout with 8:25 left in the first half. The score was Orono 23, Rocori 21.

The score continued to go back and forth late in the first half. Neither team went on a big run.

In a very competitive first half the score at halftime was tied at 43.

As the second half got underway both teams kept on attacking the basket looking for their shots.

Rocori’s Derek Thompson came up with layups off steals. He could get to the lane and come up with shots.

Orono struggled to shoot for a period early in the second half.

Rocori called a timeout with 13:17 left in the first half. The score was Orono 56, Rocori 55.

The score went back and forth in the second half. Thompson came up big in the second half. His teammates did a good job of getting him the ball in spots where he could shoot it.

Rocori called a timeout with 8:01 left in regulation. The score was Rocori 64, Orono 62.

Olson kept on knocking down deep 3-point shots. The defense had a difficult time slowing him down.

Neither team went on a run late in the game. The defensive intensity that both teams played with throughout the game made it difficult for the other team to come up with uncontested shots.

Rocori called a timeout with 2:02 left in regulation. The score was Orono 75, Rocori 71.

The game came down to the wire. Orono came up with steals late and could convert on the offensive end. Rocori didn’t back down as they knocked down shots late in the game as well.

Orono called a timeout with 29.1 seconds left in regulation. The score was Orono 79, Rocori 76.

As the clock wound down Orono tried to hold on to the ball for the last shot.

Orono called a timeout with 9.1 seconds left in regulation. The score was Orono 80, Rocori 76.

Orono came away with the 81-76 victory over Rocori.

Rocori was lead in scoring by Thompson with 28 points and Olson with 18 points.

Orono was lead in scoring by Bjorklund with 20 points, and Sage with 18 points.

ORONO WENT UP AGAINST BECKER IN A BOYS' BASKETBALL GAME

Orono and Becker squared off in a boys' basketball game. Becker started out the game in a zone defense. They wanted to make Orono take deep 3-point baskets.

It took each team a while to get into a shooting rhythm.

Orono came up with steals and turned them into layups on the offensive end. Orono wasn’t afraid to take 3-point shots either.

Orono got everyone involved in the offense. They did a good job of talking on the offensive end.

Orono’s Samual Turner came up with defensive rebounds. He was able to get the ball into the guard’s hands who brought the ball down the floor quickly and looked for layups.

Becker swung the ball around the 3-point line as they looked to get the ball into the hands of Dillon Radunz. Radunz made layups from the low block.

Orono came up with 3-point baskets in the first half. That kept them in the game.

There were many ties and lead changes with just under seven minutes to go.

Becker called a timeout with 3:39 left in the first half. The score was Orono 30, Becker 27.

Becker continued to push the ball down the floor and score baskets in transition.

At halftime the score was Orono 29, Becker 39.

As the second half got underway Orono’s Alexander Kill came up with huge mid-range jump shots and layups. He called for the ball and was able to get past the Becker defense.

The Becker offense couldn’t get going in the second half. The defensive pressure that Orono applied made it difficult for Becker to make shots that they put up.

Orono was too much for Becker. Becker couldn’t hit shots throughout the game.

Orono came away with the 70-56 victory over Becker.

ORONO WENT UP AGAINST ST. CLOUD TECH IN A BOYS' BASKETBALL GAME

Orono and St. Cloud Tech squared off in a boys basketball game. The game got off to a quick start as each team hit layups early.

St. Cloud Tech got everyone involved in the offense. They passed the ball around the three-point line.

The score went back and forth throughout the first half. Neither team went on a run in the first half.

There were several ties and lead changes in the first half.

At halftime the score was St. Cloud Tech 39, Orono 36.

As the second half got underway the score went back and forth early in the second half.

Orono got on fire midway through the second half. Orono’s Coby Stoe came up with mid-range jump shots and layups throughout the second half.

The Orono defense stepped up and was able to slow down the St. Cloud Tech’s offense.

Stoe kept on coming up with mid-range jumpers. The defense had a difficult time slowing him down.

There were many ties and lead changes late in the game.

Orono got hot late in the contest. They got the ball into the hands of Stoe who came up with big shots down the stretch.

Orono came away with the 84-75 victory over St. Cloud Tech.

MONTICELLO WENT UP AGAINST ORONO IN A BOYS BASKETBALL GAME

On Nov. 19 Monticello and Orono squared off against each other in a boys basketball game.

 

Both teams started in a zone defense. Orono looked to move the ball down the floor quickly as they looked to get baskets in transition.

 

Both teams struggled to shoot the ball early. Neither team was able to come up with a shot.

 

Monticello’s Rezi Useh looked to provide his team with energy. He wasn’t afraid to let his teammates know where they were supposed to be on the offensive end.

 

Orono’s Samuel Sustacek came up with some big mid-range jump shots that kept his team in the game.

 

The defensive pressure that Orono applied to Monticello made it difficult for them to make open shots.

 

Monticello kept clawing and came up with mid-range jump shots and layups late in the first half.

 

At halftime the score was Orono 33, Monticello 22.

 

Orono’s Thomas Lecy was all over the floor. He came up with huge mid-range jump shots and layups. The defense had a hard time slowing him down.

 

Lecy came up with 3-point baskets and was hard to slow down on the offensive end.

 

Monticello’s Tommy Schyma came up with huge shots in the second half. He was able to get past his defenders and get to the basket.

 

Orono was quicker than Monticello. Orono came away with the 70-55 victory over Monticello.

BRECK WENT UP AGAINST ORONO IN THE CLASS A BOYS STATE SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP

Breck and Orono squared off against each other in the Class A boys state soccer tournament.

 

Both teams did a good job of getting the ball down the field.

 

Breck’s Eric Smits came up with a goal with 22:40 left in the first half.

 

With that goal that made the score Breck 1, Orono 0.

 

Orono responded right back as Guyvens Mohs came up with a goal with 21:51 left in the first half.

 

With that goal that made the score tied at 1.

 

Neither team gave up open looks at the goal throughout the first half.

 

At halftime the score was tied at 1.

 

As the second half got underway both teams continued to move the ball down the field.

 

It was a very physical game as both teams went after the ball.

 

The game remained close throughout the second half.

 

The game was tied at 1 at the end of regulation.

 

Orono’s Alex Kill came up with the winning goal with 8:16 left in the overtime period.

 

With Kill’s goal Orono won the Class A boys state title.

ORONO WENT UP AGAINST BENILDE-ST. MARGARET’S IN THE STATE GIRLS STATE CLASS A FINALS

Orono and Benilde-St. Margaret’s squared off in the girls state Class A soccer championship.

With 38:37 left in the first half Benilde-St. Margaret’s Aleksa Tataryn scored a goal.

With 38:37 left in the first half the score was Benilde-St. Margaret’s 1, Orono 0.

Both teams moved the ball down the field well.

Orono scored a goal with 18:45 by Claire Bash. With that goal that tied the score at 1.

Both teams were evenly matched.

At halftime the score was tied at 1.

As the second half got underway both teams continued to move the ball down the field.

With 23:26 left in regulation Benilde-St. Margaret’s scored a goal by Tataryn.

With 23:26 left in regulation the score was Benilde-St. Margaret’s 2, Orono 1.

Benilde-St. Margaret’s Amanda Cassidy scored a goal with 20:24 left in regulation.

With that goal that made the score Benilde-St. Margaret’s 3, Orono 1.

Benilde-St. Margaret’s found the goal again on a goal by Madison Stoks.

With 19:34 left in regulation the score was Benilde-St. Margaret’s 4, Orono 1.

Orono’s Carly Goehring scored a goal with 13:43 left in regulation. With that goal that made the score Benilde-St. Margaret’s 4, Orono 2.

Benilde-St. Margaret’s came away with the 4-2 victory to win the Class A girls championship over Orono.
 

FARIBAULT WENT UP AGAINST ORONO IN THE BOYS SEMIFINALS OF THE CLASS A STATE SOCCER TOURNAMENT

Faribault and Orono squared off against each other in the state boys’ Class A state soccer tournament.

 

Both teams did a good job of getting the ball down the field.

 

Orono found the goal on a goal by Spencer Overturf with 30:41 left in the first half. The score with 30:41 left in the first half was Orono 1, Faribault 0.

 

Orono continued to get the ball down the field and were able to get everyone involved in the offense.

 

Faribault’s Abdiwahab Abdullahi scored a goal with 17:29 left in the first half. With 17:29 left in the first half the score was tied at 1.

 

Both teams had their chances to score late in the first half.

 

At halftime the score was tied at 1.

 

As the second half for underway both teams continued to move the ball field quickly.

 

Orono’s Overturf scored a goal on a header with 27:52 left in the second half.

 

With 27:52 left in the second half the score was Orono 2, Faribault 1.

 

Both teams continued to move the ball well down the field effetely throughout the game.

 

With 5:25 left in the second half Orono’s Overturf came up with another goal.

 

Both teams played hard throughout the game. In the end however Orono came away with the 3-1 victory over Faribault.