With only five games remaining in the regular season, Osseo has found a rhythm with a scrappy defense and maintaining a well-rounded scoring game.

The Orioles have also found themselves being hunted, with a 21-0 undefeated season to their name.

For Matt Bezdicek, getting into Osseo's dominating rhythm was a big role to jump into, as the junior forward was sidelined for most of the season after suffering a fractured kneecap. 

Bezdicek's first game back was on Jan. 12 against Totino-Grace.

"It was a struggle to get back stamina-wise, but I feel I have it back now," Bezdicek said after the Orioles defeated Robbinsdale Armstrong in a 72-70 victory with a nail-biting finish.

Bezdicek had six points and the steal for the last stop, halting the Falcons' final scoring opportunity, to give No. 3-4A Osseo its 21st win of the season.

"When you get that stop, it feels great," Bezdicek said. 

Orioles coach Tim Theisen said that at the start of the season, they expected Bezdicek to be one of their best players.

"Matt's an important part of our program," Theisen said. "He's worked really hard to put himself back into condition and playing shape."

For Bezdicek, it's nice to be back on the court playing alongside his twin brother, John.

"We've always played together," Matt said. "There are some plays, I can't explain how we do what we do."

Theisen acknowledged there is a definite twin connection between the two on the court.

"They make passes to each other that normal basketball players wouldn't make," Theisen said. "It's positive when they are both (on the court)."

John currently has 202 points for the Orioles and averages 9.6 points per game, while Matt is up to 56 points since his return, good for 7.0 ppg.

Matt said that John is maybe a better defender, but offensively they both shoot well.

After the win against Armstrong, Matt is glad to be back in the swing of the game.

"We aren't the hunter anymore," Bezdicek said. "We're going to be hunted, so we always have to go out there 100 percent."

First Report

Senior guard Dontae Jones hit the game-winning three-pointer to keep Osseo undefeated with a 72-70 win over Northwest Suburban Conference West Division rival Robbinsdale Armstrong on Monday.

The game was back and forth all night at Osseo High School. The Falcons (11-9, 8-6) used the inside defensive pressure of senior True Thompson and junior Jubie Alade to force the Orioles to shoot from outside.

Alade propelled the Falcons' offense with 15 of his 22 points in the first half and senior wing Simon McManus flipped a bucket from underneath the hoop to give Armstrong a 38-37 lead into halftime.

Dunks by True Thompson, who finished with 17 points, gave the Falcons a 48-39 lead early in the second half. 

The Orioles (21-0, 14-0), ranked No. 3 in Class 4A by Minnesota Basketball News, would slowly chip away at the lead and senior guard Damario Armstrong drained back-to-back threes, allowing Osseo to regain the lead at 63-62.

With 48 seconds on the clock Jones sunk the Orioles' final three-pointer to keep Osseo's perfect record intact.


Falcon senior Jubie Alade's 22 points were crucial to Armstrong staying competitive with rivals Osseo. Photo by Kelly McGinley.

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