State Tournament: Albany Wins 2nd Class AA title in 3 years

Ryan James March 22, 2025 @ 07:30 PM

Albany had to fend off a pesky Waseca team all night. They would build a lead, and then see the Jays come right back. Build the lead, and then Jays came right back. In the end, Albany was a bit better with the offensive ball and ball movement, and their defense was just a bit stronger when it came to forcing the opponent into tougher attempts.

And Sam Hondl Sam Hondl 6'7" | SF Albany | 2025 State MN gave his Albany team something the Jays didn't have: a player with size and versatility.

The biggest set of plays in the game were likely the Sam Hondl Sam Hondl 6'7" | SF Albany | 2025 State MN defensive board push to an assist for a streaking up the floor teammate followed by a turnover Hondl forced pushed the other way for a key score. Those baskets put Albany up three scores and the game was pretty much over.

You also had to credit Zeke Austin for some big momentum turns. At one point Zeke took the Waseca lead away with a three and some foul shots followed by two defensive plays leading to a Hondl lay-up and an Elliott Burnett Elliott Burnett 6'2" | SF Albany | 2025 State MN three.

The Huskies had the right mix all season leading to a perfect 32-0 year.

MVP. Sam Hondl Sam Hondl 6'7" | SF Albany | 2025 State MN . Sam was the ex-factor. Waseca had a terrible time defending him when he got good touches within ten feet of the rim leading to his 9 of 11 shooting from the floor and 23 points. His seven rebounds was key and the six assists were as important as anything else. Sam was the difference maker.

Three More Standouts

Ezekial Austin. You could make a case for Zeke as the MVP and you might be right. He scored 27 points on 7 of 14 shooting plus made all ten foul shots, and he did this chasing Deron Russell all over Minneapolis. Meaning.....he was scoring those points taking no breaks. Zeke's mid second half run of defense, creation and scoring was also crucial to the Albany victory.

Deron Russell. I'm aware that Deron Russell just got a Colorado State football offer, he's been at Minnesota on a visit, and if the program has Dakota in their name they've likely offered him in football as well. But this 6'1/6'2 guard is quite incredible on the basketball floor too with D1 potential. His quickness, dribble separation, and ability to pull-up with a gorgeous 17 footer, or get to the rim to finish, is very high level. He had a future D2 player all over him today and Deron scored 32 points on 13 of 23 shooting from the floor, and 5 of 6 foul shooting.

Demarius Russell. The future Washington State football player was the second part of the Waseca 1-2 punch that nearly won a state title and went undefeated. Yes Waseca had just one loss, this title game. And Demarius scored 22 points with seven steals making 9 of 22 attempts.