Unlike the New England Patriots, the Hopkins Royals can make its case for the greatest team in its respective sport. They upended the Orioles 69-59 in the Class AAAA championship game.
To prove that its schedule was a worthy test, here were the pivotal wins: (1) a capacity crowd at Henry Sibley and its D1 lineup of Mike Bruesewitz and Chris Halvorsen; (2) another capacity crowd at Robbinsdale Cooper and its U of M recruit Rodney Williams; (3) beating a top 10 New York City team also as star-studded as they were in New York, and (4) ending St. Cloud Tech's undefeated run and hopes of a state title.
Osseo didn't make it easy for them, for they shot better in the first half 41.7% to the Royals' 33.3%. The Orioles did not take as many shots as Hopkins in the first half, but they surely made the best of the opportunities presented to them. What kept Osseo in the game was the cold shooting of Raymond Cowels and the Royals' inability to convert easy layups. Hopkins outrebounded the Orioles and forced more turnovers in the first half, and those signs pointed that the Orioles probably did not have enough stamina to take home the title. Royce White led the Royals with 20 points and earned his second state title (first was with De La Salle in 2006). His future coach, Tubby Smith, was in attendance.
This Osseo team was not the same team I saw in the regular season finale against Centennial. For most of the game, they gave hope to the Osseo faithful and left the possibility of an upset alive. Coach Tim Theisen told them before the game to "have fun because nobody expects them to win, but everyone wants them to win." This was the only orange colored team to lose today because Pelican Rapids and Washburn both took home titles. Had it not been for the first and last game of its season, Osseo, too, would have been perfect. Sam Dower and John Rowland scored 15 and 17 respectively to lead Osseo. The game was also a family affair with cousins Trent Lockett of Hopkins and Kyle Mason of Osseo on opposite benches. It was also a semi-homecoming for Aaron Anderson, who played for Hopkins last year.
For me, I had my place in history when I caught a loose ball that flew into press row. I did not touch the ball until it nearly hit my face for fear of being the next Steve Bartman.
This Osseo team was not the same team I saw in the regular season finale against Centennial. For most of the game, they gave hope to the Osseo faithful and left the possibility of an upset alive. Coach Tim Theisen told them before the game to "have fun because nobody expects them to win, but everyone wants them to win." This was the only orange colored team to lose today because Pelican Rapids and Washburn both took home titles. Had it not been for the first and last game of its season, Osseo, too, would have been perfect. Sam Dower and John Rowland scored 15 and 17 respectively to lead Osseo. The game was also a family affair with cousins Trent Lockett of Hopkins and Kyle Mason of Osseo on opposite benches. It was also a semi-homecoming for Aaron Anderson, who played for Hopkins last year.
For me, I had my place in history when I caught a loose ball that flew into press row. I did not touch the ball until it nearly hit my face for fear of being the next Steve Bartman.
I caught up with Trent Lockett after the game, and even he wouldn't admit that this was the best team to grace Minnesota preps basketball.
"But we at least belong in the same breath."
Lockett will be headed to Arizona in two months and he, like Dylan Hale, is hoping to bulk up for the next level. This was the first title for Lockett. He played on the last two squads which may have been just as talented. However, those teams did not even make the state tournament.
