The Owatonna Boys Basketball team are state bound for the first time in a decade. The Huskies after a 14-3 regular season were awarded the three  seed in Section 1AAAA. The Owatonna Huskies would play the sixth seed New Prague Trojans in the first section game. The Huskies got off to a slow start in that game but ended up pulling away and winning 81-56. The next round the huskies were to face second seed Farmington; however, Farmington ended up having to cancel their season and forfeit the game due to COVID-19 protocols. 

This launched the Huskies into the championship game where they traveled to face the number one seed Lakeville South. Last year Owatonna’s season ended at the hands of Lakeville South. They made sure that wouldn’t happen this year. The Huskies got off to a hot start and shocked Lakeville out of the gates. Jumping out to an early 14-4 lead. Not only did the Huskies start off hot they played what might have been their best half of basketball the whole year leading at halftime 53-32. The Huskies stretched their lead to 29 early in the second half but Lakeville clawed back in the game. Making it a five point game with less than two minutes left. The Huskies ended up pulling away and winning 94-85 scoring the most points they have all year and qualifying for the state tournament. Coach Josh Williams said, “I can’t think of any game in the last ten years where we may have played better.” Leading the Huskies in scoring was Brayden Williams with 30 points, 29 from Payton Beyer and 20 points from Ty Creger. 

It has been ten years since the Huskies have qualified for the state tournament and 31 years since they won it all.  Senior and captain Beyer said, “We are very appreciative of this oppurtunity. Being only one of the few teams to go to the state tournament is pretty special. ”   For some, it holds special memories. Junior guard Brayden Williams said, “It feels great. I remember always going up as a kid to watch the state games and always wanting to be in their position playing in the state tournament.”

The Huskies come in as the underdogs against Shakopee just like they were in the section tournament. The Huskies were awarded the fourth seed in the south class 4A bracket.  Creger said, “We need to play hard and play with confidence. I want to win it all.” The Huskies are matched up against the south number one seed Shakopee Sabers who have a record of 16-5. The Sabers play in the South Suburban Conference. The game will be played Wednesday, March 31 at 7 p.m. at Hastings High School. The game will be streamed on Preps Spotlight TV for a fee.

If the Huskies win this game they will play Thursday, April 8 at 8 p.m. in the Target Center facing off against the winner of Duluth East and Wayzata.