5 Things to Know for Owatonna Boys Basketball Playoffs Vs. Lakeville North

The Owatonna boys basketball squad hosts Lakeville North in a Section 1-4A semifinal game Saturday, March 12 at 7 pm at the OHS gym. Here's what you need to know to smoothly attend the game. You can also listen on AM 1390 KRFO / 94.7 FM.

NO CASH SALES OR TICKETS PURCHASED ON SITE

OHS went to an online ticket format at the start of the year. Tickets are not available to purchase at the gym on Saturday night. Tickets are available through Hometown Ticketing. You can also access them through Owatonnaactivities.com.

ACTIVITY PASSES / SENIOR CITIZEN PASSES NOT VALID FOR SECTIONS

This is not a new development. Activity Passes and senior citizen passes are not valid for section tournament play. Everyone must purchase a ticket for the game. Adult tickets at $10. Student tickets are $6.

DOORS OPEN AT 6:15 PM

The gym doors open at 6:15 pm for the 7 pm tip-off. Each team is allowed a closed warm-up session before the game. Don't peak in.

OHS COACH JOSH WILLIAMS IS THE BIG NINE COACH OF THE YEAR

Big Nine All-Conference honors were announced this week. Huskies coach Josh Williams was named the Coach of the Year. Seniors Brayden Williams, Evan Dushek and Ty Creger and junior Blake Burmiester are All-Big Nine First Team All-Conference.

OWATONNA VERSUS LAKEVILLE NORTH

Saturday's semifinal match-up is a resumption of the rivalry with the Panthers. North has played in Section 3-4A the last two seasons. Their last season in Section 1-4A was 2018-19. They defeated Owatonna in the section quarterfinals and went on to win their eighth consecutive section crown.

North (No. 9 ranked, third seed, 19-8 overall) is led by junior Nolan Winter (18 points per game) and sophomore Jack Robison (17 ppg). Three other players contribute about seven points apiece. The Panthers average 66 points per game and give up 59. North has wins over common opponents Park-Cottage Grove and Austin.

The Huskies (No. 6, second, seed, 25-2 overall) lost to Park but swept Austin on the way to a 22-0 conference championship. Owatonna is led by seniors Dushed, Williams and Creger in scoring.

Owatonna has lost five straight to North, four of those in the playoffs. The Huskies last win over the Panthers was December 22, 2006. Drew Lundberg and Kyle Melcher led the Huskies to a 61-57 victory.

The winner advances to the section title game Friday, March 18 at 6 pm at the Mayo Civic Center in Rochester. They will play the winner of the other semifinal of Lakeville South at top-seed Farmington.