DeLaSalle Defeats Waseca For Seventh 3A Title in Eight Years

The DeLaSalle Islanders of Minneapolis had 14 points from the free throw line, the Waseca Bluejays 3 in a 63-56 Class 3A championship game victory at Target Center.  It was the 7th title in the past 8 years for the Islanders.  The first championship with Travis Bledsoe's as Head Coach.

Bledsoe told reporters following the game it was sweet because he never won the crown as a player at DeLaSalle.  The 2005 Mr. Basketball finalist, participated in the State Tournament in 2003 and 2005 playing for Dave Thorson.  Bledsoe added he knew Waseca would be their opponent in the final game, complimenting the team for their tenacity on the hardwood.

Islanders senior point guard 6'3 Tyrell Terry was a difference maker with 19 points, 7 rebounds, 10 assists while playing every second of the game.  Terry was rated by a couple scouting services as the 6th best point guard in the country.  The outstanding student is going to Stanford to play basketball and was a Mr. Basketball and Mcdonald Award finalist.  Classmate 6'7 Jamison Battle was a semifinalist for Mr. Basketball and the Mcdonald award. He finished his high school career with 26 points in the title game while playing 35 minutes.  Battle is going to George Washington University to play basketball.

Junior 6'7 Jalen Travis added 10 points, 7 rebounds in 28 minutes.  He is a highly recruited offensive tackle in football.  Senior Julian Wright came off the bench for the Islanders and is another Division 1 athlete.  He played in the high school All Star football game and has received a scholarship for track at Marquette University.

Waseca senior 6'2 Malik Willingham went over the 2,000 career point mark during the state tournament and tried to put the team on his back.  Willingham tallied 21 points, 4 rebounds, 8 assists while playing ever second of the game.  Sophomore 6'8 Andrew Morgan scored 19 points, 7 rebounds and never came out of the game.

The Islanders shot 49 percent, Blue Jays 47 percent.  Waseca had two more field goals than DeLaSalle, both teams made 3 three point baskets.  Rebounds were 25-23 advantage to the Islanders.  Points off turnovers were 11-4 DeLaSalle.  There were two lead changes in the game. Neither team had any points off their bench.

The Bluejays finished their season 30-2.  DeLaSalle 27-5.