No. 2 Seed is ‘Surprising but Pretty Cool’ for Owatonna Basketball

Owatonna was the No. 2 seed for the Section 1-4A tournament. Now they are the No. 2 for the whole state tournament. In reaction to the high seed, Huskies coach Josh Williams said, "Surprised I guess...I thought we could get a seed, just knowing how this works and having been there before. Even getting a seed, whether that's a four or five seed was in my mind a little bit of a question. Getting a two seed was a definite surprise."

Williams feels Wayzata had a good argument for the second seed as a top-two team in the state all season and the highest QRF ranking in Minnesota. "I'm not going to argue. I think we're in a good spot," he added.

Owatonna opens the state tournament against Cretin-Derham Hall at 2 pm on Tuesday, March 22 at Target Center with coverage on AM 920 KDHL.

The pregame begins at 1:30 pm. Wayzata faces Moorhead at 4 pm. Top-seed Park Center plays Andover at 10 am Tuesday. No. 4 seed Eastview faces No. 5 Eden Prairie at 12 pm.

Cretin-Derham Hall is led by Tre Holloman. Williams believes, "Tre is probably going to win Mr. Basketball in the state of Minnesota. He's committed to Michigan State. About a 6-3 point guard that's probably faster and more athletic than anybody (else) in the state. He makes them go. Everything they run, they run through him."

OHS coach Josh Williams

Holloman averages 19 points, eight rebounds, ten assists, and more than three steals per game according to the Basketball Hub on Star Tribune. Donovan Cain scores 18 points per game for the Raiders. Brandon Melchoir chips in ten points per contest.

Owatonna is led by the trio of Brayden Williams, Evan Dushek and Ty Creger.

The Raiders made it to the state finals last year before falling to Wayzata, the team that OHS or Cretin-Derham Hall is likely to face in the semifinals Thursday, March 24 at 8 pm at Williams Arena.

Owatonna beat Farmington in the Section finals Friday 69-61. Cretin-Derham Hall upset East Ridge in their section tournament final.