Waconia 80 Sartell 45: Five Things to Know
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Expectations are fairly high at Waconia this year as they are a deep team that can spread the floor and come at you in a few different ways. Last night the Cats went at Sartell for a running time win.…
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Continue ReadingExpectations are fairly high at Waconia this year as they are a deep team that can spread the floor and come at you in a few different ways. Last night the Cats went at Sartell for a running time win.
One. Game Changer Gavin. When Waconia was making first half runs and pushing the lead into an area that Sartell was going to have trouble reaching it was senior Gavin Olson Gavin Olson 6'2" | SG Waconia | 2024 State MN that made the biggest impact. Olson hit three first half threes (made a fourth in half two) plus he hustled to the rim for scores that Sartell just couldn’t get defenders to. His 15 points were the early catalyst for the Cats. Olson is one of the hardest working players you will come across and his jumpshoot looks like it’s taken another step. I think he would make a fantastic MIAC prospect.
Two. Will Kirsch Will Kirsch 6'1" | PG Waconia | 2026 State MN Scores Game High. Waconia sophomore Will Kirsch Will Kirsch 6'1" | PG Waconia | 2026 State MN has a game changing shooting touch. Foul trouble led to Will sitting a lot of first half minutes but when Waconia doubled their lead from 18 to 36 in the second half it was Kirsch at the arc, Kirsch getting to the rim, and Kirch getting mid-lane to complete. He scored 22 points for the game and this was with foul trouble dinging his first half minutes and an early exit for the second unit taking him off the floor in the second half.
Three. Cats Depth. Junior Jadan Ford hit two threes and scored a dozen points, Jackson Hayes Jackson Hayes 6'6" | SF Waconia | 2024 State MN scored 13 points around the basket, and guys like Simon Meath made sure the ball was in the right place for the four main scorers to complete possessions. Christian Fulford is a nice frontcourt player, Tate McDonald plays his role well, and Soren Marker did some good things for Waconia. Waconia is a deeper team than I think I realized and they look like they should be a strong contender in Section 2AAAA.
Four. Sartell. The Sabres beat Bemidji but they didn’t have enough to compete with Sartell. Andrew Nelson is their junior post and he’s both physical and agile, and could be a name to watch. Sophomore Maddox Lewis Maddox Lewis 6'3" | SF Sartell | 2026 State MN is one of the better shooters in his class and a smart player. And guards Braydon Simones and Jordan Fish have the quickness to give teams trouble. Not likely against Waconia but there are others that they will be able to beat.
Five. Postgame Autograph Seekers. One thing I consistently enjoy is the youth autograph seekers chasing down the high school standouts after the game. That seemed to go away for many years but in recent times we are starting to see it again. Last night Olson and Kirsch both were surrounded by the kids and it was fun to see.