Class AAAA Title Contender: Owatonna
In this article:
The Owatonna Huskies earned a trip to the state tournament in 2020-21 and most of their key pieces return as upperclassmen this winter! Owatonna is a true contender. Key Wins in 20-21 (17-4): Lakeville South, Winona, Mankato East, Rochester Century…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThe Owatonna Huskies earned a trip to the state tournament in 2020-21 and most of their key pieces return as upperclassmen this winter! Owatonna is a true contender.
Key Wins in 20-21 (17-4): Lakeville South, Winona, Mankato East, Rochester Century
Oops: Shakopee, Austin, Mankato West
Moving On: Double figure scoring guard Payton Beyer was the key piece that graduated. Owatonna dealt with a lot of injuries last season so players like Beyer had to step up, and Payton did. He was an all league player and needs to be replaced. Owatonna also lost a couple reserves off the bench that offered consistent play and that was Lincoln Maher and Abdi Isman.
Returning Starters (4): The Huskies return four starters: 6’1 point guard Ty Creger Ty Creger 6'0" | PG Owatonna | 2022 State MN , 6’2 combo guard Brayden Williams Brayden Williams 6'3" | PG Owatonna | 2022 State MN , 6’1 wing Blake Burmeister Blake Burmeister 6'0" | PG Owatonna | 2023 State MN , and 6’8 center Evan Dushek Evan Dushek 6'8" | C Owatonna | 2022 State MN . Creger had a great summer with Minnesota Select and we think he will have a big senior season. Creger is tough, smart, consistent, and will be a nice prospect for the D3 level in college. Williams is a Bemidji State committed guard coming off 22 plus point per game season. Williams has another level of shift to his creative offensive game that makes him one of the toughest players to guard in the state. Brumeister is the team’s knockdown shooter that can’t be left open, he scored seven points a game last year. Finally Evan Dushek Evan Dushek 6'8" | C Owatonna | 2022 State MN is the last person you want screening you. He’s strong, smart, and can clear out an opponent easily with his screens. After averaging 20 and 10 as a sophomore Evan was injured for much of his junior year so he’s ready for a big senior campaign.
Reserves Playing a Bigger Role: Nick Williams played a bit last year and will have a much bigger role as a senior. Williams is a solid shooter and he’s also a really good defender at 6’2.
Potentials from the JV: Owatonna will have more size coming from their JV. Six-foot-6 Jack Helget is a senior that should earn solid time and 6’5 senior Avery Hartman is a long player with a face-up skill set. Six-foot-5 junior big Justin Gleason won the section championship in the long jump and should be able to use that length and athletic ability to offer depth. Juniors Ayden Walter and Collin Vick also played JV last year and could offer depth. Also keep an eye on Connor Ginskey, a 6’3 senior who is trusted and skilled so he could be a 6th Man type reserve as well.
Final Thoughts: When you look through this group you see two guys that are scholarship talents in Williams and Dushek plus two more that will likely be looked at as college players at the D3 level (Creger and Burmeister). There is size that can step in for Evan or play with him and a number of skilled wings in depth. Assuming they can stay healthy this year we think Owatonna has a chance to have a monster season.