From the opening tip-off, Waconia senior Josh Rands was dialed in.
Rands sank a three-pointer for the first basket of the game and scored the Wildcats' first 11 points in their 91-72 victory at Minneapolis Patrick Henry on Wednesday night.
“I went out there and shot with confidence,” Rands said after a career-high 27-point performance. “It’s really helpful when your team’s looking out for you and setting screens.”
Rands hit five of his seven three-point baskets in a first half that saw eight lead changes.
Ranked No. 6 in Class 3A by Minnesota Basketball News, the Wildcats’ (16-5) success shooting from outside countered the Patriots' gritty defensive efforts.
Following Rands third three-pointer, Patrick Henry senior Julian Jackson tied the game 15-15, and he seemed to help the Patriots (17-6) build momentum after swatting away Rands' shot on the ensuing possession.
Rands, however, was unshaken. He converted his fourth basket of the night from behind the three-point line to give Waconia its first lead since the opening minute.
Not a likely culprit to hurt an opponent from beyond the arc, Wildcats' 6-foot-4 senior Connor Schultz proved to be equally lethal from long range as he sank three three-pointers while Rands took a rest on the bench.
“We’ve worked hard on our shooting and take pride in it,” Rands said.
The game continued to be a back-and-forth struggle as Jackson put back the final points of the opening frame to give the Patriots a 40-38 lead at halftime.
But frustration bubbled on the Patriots’ bench in the second half, as Rands remained a deadeye from the three-point line. He hit his sixth of the night to give Waconia its first lead after halftime.
Demetress Edwards-Brown sliced through the Wildcats’ interior for two points to tie the game 45-45, but Waconia starting guard Joey Kortuem hit a three-pointer on the following possession.
“When me and Joey Kortuem get hot, they’ll come out and guard us, which opens things up inside,” Rands said.
And the lanes did open inside as Patrick Henry starting closing down on shooters, which paved way for Kortuem to drive and draw fouls.
Kortuem shot a perfect 8-of-8 from the free-throw line and tallied 15 of his 21 points in the second half.
“Josh took advantage of those shots in the first half, and in the second half, (the Patriots) were more geared up in stopping him,” Waconia coach Pat Hayes said. “Luckily, we had some guys who knocked down their shots.”
After winning third place in last year’s Class 3A state tournament, the Wildcats are looking to make another trip to Minneapolis, but they have to face an abundance of ranked talent in the newly aligned Section 6.
Consisting of No. 2 and four-time defending state champion DeLaSalle, No. 5 Delano, No. 7 Orono, No. 8 Benilde-St. Margaret’s and the No. 9 Patriots, the region will be a gauntlet, and Hayes and his team know every game in the postseason will be a test.
Hayes said he thinks his team’s strength of schedule speaks for itself, but the Wildcats' struggles against section competition, such as Wright County Conference frontrunner Delano and the Metro West's Red Knights, may force Waconia to play on the road in the playoffs.
For Rands and his teammates, a win at Patrick Henry epitomized what they'll need to do come the section playoffs.
“It was a step in the right direction,” Rands said. “We want to win our section, and this is what we’ll have to do to get there, by winning big in their own gym.”
Patrick Henry senior forward Julian Jackson finished with a team-high 21 points, and surpassed 1,000 points for his career Wednesday night. Photo by Drew Herron
First Report
Senior guard Josh Rands posted a career-high 27 points to lead Waconia to a 91-72 road victory over Minneapolis Patrick Henry on Wednesday.
Ranked No. 6 in Class 3A by Minnesota Basketball News, the Wildcats (16-5) overcame a two-point halftime deficit thanks to a 17-6 run midway through the second half.
Rands anchored Waconia by sinking five three-pointers and scoring 17 points in the first half.
Patriots senior forward Julian Jackson notched his 1,000th career point on a free throw in the second half and finished the game with a team-high 21 points.
Demetress Edwards-Brown also had 21 points for No. 9-3A Patrick Henry (17-6).
Waconia senior guard Josh Rands finished with a career-high 27 points Wednesday night to help lead the Wildcats to a 91-72 road win at Minneapolis Patrick Henry. Photo by Drew Herron
