Ten Best: Marshall vs. Orono
Last Saturday afternoon I enjoyed a first-time visit to Orono High School, where the Spartans played host to Marshall in a top-five AAA matchup. A great crowd from both sides contributed to the atmosphere, and Orono took control in the…
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Continue ReadingLast Saturday afternoon I enjoyed a first-time visit to Orono High School, where the Spartans played host to Marshall in a top-five AAA matchup. A great crowd from both sides contributed to the atmosphere, and Orono took control in the second half to pull away 57-45.
MVP: Max Bjorklund (PG, 6-0, Jr., Orono)
The offensive flow in the first half was nonexistent for both teams, but Bjorklund kept up the pressure, reaching the rim early and often. He contorts and uses his body to shield himself from bigger defenders (which Marshall has plenty of) for nine first half points. He continued to be the driving force with the ball throughout the game and opened up opportunities inside and out for his teammates. Finished with 20 points, a majority of them in the paint. Expect local Division 3 schools to ramp up the chase on him this spring/summer.
Best offensive performance: Mitchell Sueker (F, 6-7, Sr., Marshall)
Orono employed a 2-3 zone to counter the overwhelming Marshall size advantage, and Sueker’s presence in the high post was very influential. He stuck himself in open gaps to catch and shoot from 12-15 feet, and scored 16 points along with three pretty assists.
Best defensive performance: Jarvis Thomas (F, 6-7, Jr., Orono)
Probably the best pure athlete on the floor, Thomas got to play a little more in his element on Saturday by spacing out and working off the dribble against the big Marshall frontcourt. But he shined even brighter in transition defense. Thomas’ speed and jumping ability gave him chances to run back and stop Tiger fast breaks in their tracks. He played a key role in limiting Marshall to 45 total points. He also had a nasty putback slam to gain momentum for Orono in the second half.
Best under-the-radar performance: Reece Winkelman (F, 6-3, Sr., Marshall)
Winkelman is a consistently physical role player for the Tigers who is always solid at everything. He’s a big enough body (going to South Dakota State as a linebacker) to bang around as a smaller 4 and he doesn’t shy away from a tough defensive assignment.He tallied at least once in every statistical category and scored six points.
Best shooter: Griffen Sage (SG, 6-3, Jr., Orono)
Griffen is one of the most confident shooters I’ve seen this year. He doesn’t just sit around waiting for the kickout pass; he’s continuously searching for a new spot to shape to on the perimeter. With a lead guard like Bjorklund to penetrate and dish, Sage becomes even more dangerous to already-stretched-thin defenses. He knocked out two bombs and finished with eight points.
Best performance off the bench: Noel Mshihiri (F, 6-2, Sr., Orono)
Mshihiri is a high-energy worker who destroys the offensive glass and takes advantage of mismatches in the post. He finished well over the top on jumpers from the block and the free throw line, and grabbed three offensive rebounds to extend possessions. Great contribution from Mshihiri.
Best aspect of the environment: Multiple reasons to be in attendance
I had just hustled over from nearby Delano to catch this game, and as I walked in the door I was followed by the whole Tiger squad. DeLaSalle’s coaching staff was hot on my tail all day too, as they scouted both Delano and Orono, who are section 6AAA opponents. (I then proceeded later that evening to follow them back home for my first trip to The Island.) Prep Spotlight was streaming the game online, Marshall brought the whole town and more to the Saturday matinee, and it was just a fun, loud gym with a lot of good people and players.
Best coaching decision: Spartan 2-3 zone
Marshall has three guys at 6-foot-7. Orono has one. There’s always a bad connotation when you hear “2-3 zone”, but utilizing it is more intelligent than most think. It forces teams to really have to shoot and reduces the athleticism advantage. You simply can’t isolate for a mismatch or have your best guy take the ball and beat his man. I remember losing games to much less talented teams solely because they played us in a 2-3. It’s deceptively smart.
Best storyline moving forward: Orono’s section run
DeLaSalle is the no-doubt number one. But if Orono can pick up the two-seed by beating Delano next week, that’s a big momentum booster for postseason time. The Spartans can shoot with the best of them and I look forward to how they could match up with De; maybe they buckle down in the zone once more. But then again, Waconia and Patrick Henry are still tough outs, so nothing is given. Section 6AAA is shaping up to be another doozy.
Other: Trey Lance and Weston Baker-Magrath were relatively quiet for Marshall. Lance couldn’t get his shot to fall and struggled to attack seams in the Orono zone. Baker-Magrath scored 11 including an alley-oop connection from Sueker but had trouble finishing putbacks down low. Orono’s Colton Codute was spectacular as the off-guard next to Bjorklund as a distributor and steady ballhandler. He hit closing free throws to ice the game for the Spartans.