Standing barely 5-11 — and that may be generous — Ayo Porte really has no business lining up as Osseo’s center.

But a lack of height forced first-year head coach John Rieser to move the athletic junior from her normal position on the wing to the low post, where she routinely faces taller and stronger opponents.

“She’s really playing out of position,” said Rieser after the Orioles’ 57-53 victory over Roseville in the Section 5, 4A championship game. “We sold her on it by asking her to use her athleticism, and she really bought into it.”

Porte not only accepted her role but has thrived, often outworking other centers and using her speed to beat them up and down the floor.

She scored eight points and had key rebounds in Friday’s victory and made Osseo’s biggest play of the game in the closing seconds. She chased down a full-court pass after Roseville had cut the gap to one point and made a pinpoint pass, while falling out of bounds, to teammate Belinda Barfknecht for an easy layup.

Staff writer Jim Paulsen spoke with Porte about her role on a team about to make its second consecutive state tournament appearance.

 

Q: The team is back in the state tournament. How does that feel?

A: It really feels good. I’m so happy and proud of my teammates. It just shows you that hard work does pay off.

 

Q: At one point this year, the team was 7-6. Now you’re 21-8. What happened?

A: I think seven seniors graduated, so there was just the three of us coming back [Porte, Janay Morton, Phillis Webb] and it took the team awhile to gel.

 

Q: When did you feel like the team started to come around?

A: The first time we played Centennial. They had just beaten Hopkins and Hopkins blew us out by like 50 [actually, 88-42]. We weren’t sure if we could beat Centennial, but once we did, we started to play with more confidence.

 

Q: Janay and Phillis get most of the publicity because of their offense. What is your role?

A: Defense. If I had to choose between defense and offense, I’d choose defense. My role is to stop whoever needs stopping.

 

Q: How comforting is it to have Janay and Phillis to lean on?

A: Playing with them is so nice. They’re veterans and they’ve been there before. You always feel like they know what they’re doing. They don’t get nervous.

 

Q: Do you get nervous?

A: Of course. I was more nervous at the start of the season, but now we’re all used to each other and I feel pretty good.

 

Q: Did it feel good to get involved in the offense Friday night?

A: It did. In the first half, my main job was to stop their big girl. In the second half, I was able to contribute in other ways, like passing and assists. And my points came from some great passes by my teammates.

 

Q: What is your favorite thing to do on the basketball court?

A: Probably blocking shots or getting offensive rebounds.

 

Q: Are you having fun this year?

A: This has been the most fun I’ve ever had. I’ve got a greater role, and my coach is trusting me more. I like having that responsibility.

 

Q: What is one thing you can’t take the court without?

A: Praying. I pray to God for letting me play the game and ask him to help us play together. And to let the outcome be in our favor [laughs].

JIM PAULSEN