In a few months, Daniel Oturu and Gabe Kalscheur will be suiting up for the University of Minnesota and beginning their promising college careers as teammates. But there is still business to attend to this high school season, especially with the postseason looming.
This Saturday, the two Golden Gopher commits will face off as foes as Cretin-Derham Hall, ranked No. 1 in Class 4A by Minnesota Basketball News, hosts No. 1-3A DeLaSalle in our Top Game of the Week.
The Raiders (16-1, 10-1) have been rolling since losing 75-61 to Edina on Dec. 7, crushing all but two opponents by at least 10 points. Sy Chatman and Oturu both average 18.4 points per game, with Oturu adding 11.7 rebounds per game. Fellow senior Ryan Larson also averages a double-double, doing it with points (10.4 per game) and assists (10.3 per game).
Cretin-Derham Hall was one of a handful of teams that ended last year with a victory, winning the Class 4A consolation tournament. But after playing so well against some of the state's top talent, the Raiders will surely have their sights set on a state title. Saturday's opponent, despite being in Class 3A, brings a championship pedigree that will test those title aspirations.
Every player on DeLaSalle's roster has ended the season as a state champion. The Islanders have won six consecutive Class 3A state titles, and their roster has plenty of talent to keep the streak alive. Kalscheur leads the team with 20.8 ppg, while junior Tyrell Terry contributes 19 points and a team-leading 6.6 assists per game.
DeLaSalle (13-3, 3-0) has a game against Tri-Metro Conference rival Holy Angels just 24 hours before its heavyweight showdown, but the Islanders will welcome the challenge as the postseason draws closer.
Facing top-tier, proven opposition on limited rest will prepare the Islanders for the postseason; preparation that could be vitally important if they are going to overcome every opponent's best shot and win a seventh straight state title.