With the regular season odyssey coming to a close within the next 10 days, the intensity of top matchups only increases — as do the stakes. This week's top games feature several conference "championship games," an interesting Class 2A rematch up north, and a much-anticipated, COVID-delayed contest between two No. 1 teams.
One of the title tilts is in the Wright County Conference's East Division. Waconia, ranked No. 6 in Class 3A by Minnesota Basketball News from March 3, holds a head-to-head edge on Orono, courtesy of a 98-75 road victory on Feb. 16. Ava Stier led an incredible six Wildcats in double-figure scoring in the game with 22 points.
Waconia (14-1) suffered its first loss of the season last Thursday after 13 straight victories, falling 67-60 at Class 3A, Section 2 rival Marshall in a non-league matchup. It was the lowest point total of the season for the Wildcats, who average nearly 80 points per game (24 off of opponents' turnovers) behind a run-and-gun, fast break style that includes plenty of substitutions.
Stier leads the team in scoring at 15.8 points per game, but has three other teammates averaging in double-digits as well: Audrey Swanson (13.2 ppg), Addy Salzer (12.8 ppg), and Sydney Olson (11.1 ppg). Stier and Swanson were both all-state honorable mention choices last winter as sophomores.
Orono (11-3) has also been propelled by a very balanced attack, with five players averaging between 8.1 and 12.0 points per game. In the loss to Waconia, which is their only league loss to date this season, the Spartans had four players in double-figures: Lauren Knudson with 17 points, Elle Johnson (16), Kaila Youngs (15), and Haley Paulson (11) — making a total of 10 between the two teams.