R-T-R Class A, Albany Class AA Minnesota Boys Basketball Champions

The Albany Huskies earned their first MSHSL Class AA boys basketball title Saturday with a 72-65 win over Minnehaha Academy of Minneapolis at Target Center downtown Minneapolis.

The Huskies led 39-31 at the half.  Great scoring balance was experienced by both teams.

Albany was led by Tysen Gerads, senior, 6'3, with 19 points, 8 rebounds.  Ethan Borgerding, senior, 6'5, had 16 points, 11 rebounds.  Zeke Austin, sophomore, 6'2, added 15 points, 5 rebounds.  Sam Hondl, sophomore, 6'6, pitched in 14 points, 7 rebounds.

The Huskies were ranked #7 in final Minnesota Basketball News boys basketball ratings and had a #3 QRF.  It was their 5th trip to state.

Albany ended the year with a 32-1 record, their only loss against Holy Family Catholic 76-68 in December of last year.

Minnehaha Academy was aiming for their 6th state title.  It is their first runner-up finish in 8 trips to state.

The Redhawks were paced by Rolyns Aligbe, senior, 6'9, with 20 points, 7 rebounds.  He fouled out of the game.  Jerome Williams, junior, 5'10, had 16 points, 5 assists.  Mateo Cortes Weiss, junior, 6'5, added 16 points, 6 rebounds.

The Huskies won despite having 17 turnovers compared to 4 for Minnehaha Academy.

Albany owned the boards 39-23 and had 11 points off fast breaks compared to 6 points for the Redhawks.

Minnehaha Academy finished their season 23-9.

Layup statistics were 9 of 14 for Albany, 10 of 26 for Minnehaha Academy.

The Redhawks shot 37% (26-70) from the field, 27% (6-22) from long range, 78% (7-9) from free throw line.

Albany shot 50% (24-48) from the field, 42% (5-12) behind 3 line, 76% (19-25) from the charity stripe.

• Holy Family Catholic defeated Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton 86-79 for 3rd Place
• Pequot Lakes is Consolation Champion after 50-43 win over Maple River

Russell-Tyler-Ruthon never trailed in their 59-49 win over New Life Academy of Woodbury in the Class A title game.

The Knights captured their 4th state title (2004, 2005, 2018).  It was the eagles 4th trip to state and first title game in basketball.

R-T-R was led by Aiden Wichmann, senior, 6'2, with 18 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists.  Drew Werkman, junior, 6'3, finished with 15 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists.

New Life Academy also had two players in double figures.  Maxwell Briggs, senior, 6'0, with 17 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists.  Colton Hendricks, senior, 6'7, had 11 points, 5 rebounds.

Russell-Tyler-Ruthton scored 24 points off 15 New Life Academy turnovers.

The Knights also had 15 turnovers, the Eagles scored 5 points off them.

Layups were 11 of 14 for R-T-R and 5 of 15 for N-L-A.

New Life shot 31% (19-62) from the field, 17% (4-24) from beyond the 3 point line, 87% (7-8) from free throw line.

The Knights shot 48% (21-44) from field, 21% (3-14) from long range and 70% (14-20) on free throws.

R-T-R (31-1) only loss was at end of regular season 72-70 to Dawson-Boyd.

New Life Academy (26-6) was rated #3 in final MBBN Class A rankings with a #2 QRF.

Russell-Tyler-Ruthton was ranked #6 in final MBBN list with a #5 QRF.

• Spring Grove defeated Cherry 68-43 for 3rd Place Individual medals and team trophy.
• Nevis won Consolation titler 62-47 overr Sacred Heart.