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Orono holds off Delano in a tight Wright County matchup

By Trevor Squire, SportsEngine, 02/23/17, 7:00AM CST

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Jarvis Thomas and Max Bjorklund led the Spartans with 17 points apiece in a victory over the Tigers.



Orono point guard Colton Codute looks for an opening against Delano sophomore Derek Techam in the first half. Codute finished with 14 points in the Spartans' 69-65 win over the Tigers. Photo by Drew Herron, SportsEngine


As AAU teammates on Minnesota Lockdown and Powerhouse for two years, Colton Codute and Jarvis Thomas developed a rapport in the offseason of their freshman and sophomore years.

Thomas, a Tartan transfer, considered many schools to move to, but ultimately chose Orono to stay close to family and friends.

“He’s my best friend,” Codute said of Thomas. “It was our goal to play together. I’m just glad we got a chance to. Funnest time of my life right now.”

The duo seemed to be having plenty of fun on Thursday night, as Thomas led the Spartans with 17 points and 10 rebounds in a 69-65 win over Wright County East and Class 3A, Section 6 rival Delano at Orono High School.

The Spartans, ranked No. 4 in Class 3A by Minnesota Basketball News, avenged their Jan. 27 loss to the No. 7-3A Tigers, moved into second place in the league standings and clinched at least the second seed in sections behind No. 1-3A DeLaSalle.

“It solidifies at worst the two-seed for us and we have a chance at winning the conference we just have to finish up [next week] at New Prague and Hutch [Hutchinson],” Thomas said.

Both Thomas and Codute fouled out with six minutes left in the first meeting, but they redeemed themselves by playing crucial roles in this game, especially the first half.

Thomas scored eight of the Spartans’ first 19 points and was a force at the wing all game. Codute came on slower as the team’s floor general, but sank back-to-back three pointers after the Tigers had tied the game at 21-all.

“He’s fiery. He got heart and emotion,” Thomas said regarding Codute. “Sometimes he doesn’t show it but when he does, you’ll know.”

Both players notched 10 points in the first half to give Orono (19-5, 6-2) a five-point lead going into the locker room.

“It’s gotten heated the past two or three years,” Codute said of his team’s rivalry with Delano. “When I was a freshman it was a little soft because we always dominated, but when Calvin [Wishart] got there he stirred it up.”

Delano’s Calvin Wishart, who’s the fourth-ranked scorer in the state with an average 27.6 points per game, has menaced the Spartans the past two seasons, as shown by his 30 points on Thursday night.

Despite his impressive scoring numbers, Orono’s 2-3 zone defense limited Wishart to outside shots that didn’t create opportunities for his teammates. Keegan O’Neill managed to chip in 10 points as the Tigers (18-6, 5-3) only other scorer to reach double digits.

Codute, like Wishart, is also a top-tier offensive producer, but it’s assists, not points, that he racks up. The junior point guard averages eight assists a game, good for second in the state.

“Colton’s done a great job all year running the point for us. He gives up points sometimes to make sure our guys are getting touches,” head coach Barry Wohler said. “His thing is to make sure Orono scores not Colton scores.”

Having weapons like Thomas, a D1 prospect at the wing, dynamic guards and a slew of three-point marksmen, Codute takes joy in allowing his teammates to thrive.

“We have endless amount of talent on our team. Guys who can do it all over the floor,” Codute said. Speciality guys who can stretch the floor. For me as a point guard, I love having all these weapons.”

Entering the final week of the regular season, the Spartans are aiming to continue their stellar team play and clinch Wohler his first league title in his 10 years at Orono.

“Wohler hasn’t gotten a conference title and that’s been our goal, to get him one,” Codute said.


First Report

Jarvis Thomas recorded 17 points and 10 rebounds to lead Orono to a 69-65 win over Wright County Conference East Division rival Delano on Thursday night at Orono High School.

Ranked fourth in Class 3A by Minnesota Basketball News, the Spartans (19-5, 6-2) extended their five-game winning streak by sinking six free-throws in the final minute to close out the game. Max Bjorklund sank the last four to match Thomas' team-high 17.

Tied 21-21 with six minutes remaining in the opening half, Colton Codute drained back-to-back triples for six of his 10 first half points. Orono took a five-point lead into halftime and wouldn't relinquish it for the remainder of the game. Codute finished the game with 14 points and eight assists.

Calvin Wishart had a game-high 30 points for the No. 7-3A Tigers (18-6, 5-3).



Orono forward Jarvis Thomas battles in the paint against Delano's Keegan O'Neill during the first half of Thursday night's game in Orono. The Spartans defeated the Tigers 69-65. Photo by Drew Herron, SportsEngine

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