MANKATO — The first half ended with such a blitz, as a 23-6 run helped Waseca build a big lead, but the Bluejays knew a run was coming from top-seeded Lake Crystal Wellcome Memorial.
“That second half was the longest 18 minutes of basketball I’ve ever seen,” Waseca coach Seth Anderson said. “I kept looking at the clock and thinking, ‘only 15 seconds have come off.’ We had our struggles in the second half, but I’m really proud of the way the kids stayed composed and finished the job.”
Waseca built a 20-point halftime lead, then held on to defeat Lake Crystal Wellcome Memorial 76-63 in the Section 2AA, South Subsection boys basketball game Monday at Bresnan Arena.
LCWM jumped ahead 7-2 after four minutes, but the Bluejays ran off 11 straight points, capped by Carson Ohnstad’s 3-pointer, a sign of things to come.
The Knights came back within 20-7 before Waseca went on another run, with Ohnstad and Damarius Russell each making a 3-pointer in an 8-point burst.
In the final two minutes of the half, Russell made three straight 3-pointers as the Bluejays rolled into halftime with a 43-23 lead.
Waseca was 7 of 12 from 3-point range in the first half, while LCWM was 2 of 11 on 3-pointers and 3 of 7 on free throws.
LCWM was more effective in the second half. Jamis Ulman found some room in the lane, and Jack Goeringer hit consecutive 3-pointers to bring the Knights within 56-49. Jack Brockmann scored in the lane, and suddenly, the Knights were within 53-49 with four minutes to play.
However, Laird Keeton hit a 3-pointer and a short-range jumper to restore the lead. After the Knights got within 68-63 with two minutes to go, Waseca scored the last eight points.
“We just had to fight through the adversity,” Russell said. “We kept our composure.”
Russell finished with 25 points, making five 3-pointers, and seven rebounds. Deron Russell scored 21 points and Ohnstad had 13 points. Waseca made 12 3-pointers.
“My shot hasn’t been so good this year, but I’ve been working hard on it,” said Damarius Russell, who missed the first half of the season after having hernia surgery. “I’m glad I found it tonight.”
Brockmann had 18 points and nine rebounds, and Ulman had 17 points and 14 boards. Ethan Wiens hit three 3-pointers and scored 13 points. LCWM was 73-14 over the last three seasons but lost in the subsection finals all three seasons.
Waseca (19-10) plays for the section championship against Belle Plaine on Thursday at Bresnan Arena.
“This feels amazing,” Damarius Russell said. “I’m so grateful and thankful that we won tonight, and hopefully we can win the championship.”
Belle Plaine 72, Glencoe-Silver Lake 57: Ethan Martin scored 21 points, and Josh Sparby had 20 points as the Tigers won the Section 2AA, North Subsection at Bresnan Arena.
The Tigers were 21 of 23 on free throws, with Sparby making 14 of 14 in the second half.
Eli Ehrke led Glencoe-Silver Lake with 18 points.
Belle Plaine plays for the section championship on Thursday at Bresnan Arena.
Please follow Chad Courrier on X @ChadCourrier.