At first glance, Delano’s Matt Kreklow has no business shooting three-pointers. 

The 6-foot-9 senior forward showcased a powerful drive in the paint but also a deft touch beyond the arc as he scored 18 points in the first half of Delano’s 81-67 win at Orono on Friday night in a matchup featuring two of Class 3A's top teams. The Tigers are ranked No. 7 by Minnesota Basketball News, while the Spartans are No. 9.

“Even though (Kreklow is) 6-9, his best offensive game is facing the basket,” Delano coach Terry Techam said. “(His three-point shooting is) something that he’s put a lot of time into being good at.”

Kreklow, who’s committed to play next season at Division II University of Mary in North Dakota, said his versatility presents headaches for opposing defenses. 

“My outside game really creates mismatches,” Krakow said after sinking three three-pointers in the win. "Not a lot of big guys can guard me.

“It’s kind of a matchup nightmare…it works out to my advantage.”

While Orono's defense certainly had its hands full guarding Kreklow, sophomore guard Calvin Wishart ran away with the evening, scoring a career-high 37 points to lead all scorers. 

“Calvin’s a very talented player,” Techam said. “He’s not intimidated, and he’s always in attack mode.”

The Tigers' fast-paced game plan runs through Wishart’s shoot-first-ask-questions-later mentality, Techam added.

“It starts with Calvin,” Techam said. “We want to attack, we want to get up and down the floor.”

Techam said his players are encouraged to shoot the ball in most situations.

“We kind of instill that confidence that if you’re open, you’re going to shoot,” he said. 

For Wishart, part of his shooter’s state of mind is eliminating doubt in his abilities, regardless of any missed shots or past struggles. 

“I put that right over my head,” Wishart said. “I just say, 'Let me get the next one.' ”

Wishart, who hit five-three pointers and made 10 free throws Friday night, said the raucous atmosphere in the gymnasium of Delano's Wright County Conference and Class 3A, Section 6 rival makes for a sweeter victory, even if there is a little trash talk along the way. 

“Postgame, before the game, during the game. It’s just a lot of fun,” Wishart said of the good-natured jibes traded by the teams.

He added that passion for basketball is behind the boasts. 

“It’s all for the game. It’s all for the love.”


Delano senior forward Matt Kreklow battles for position and goes on to score 18 points for the Tigers in their victory at Orono. Photo by Brian W Nelson

First Report

Sophomore guard Calvin Wishart scored a career-high 37 points and senior forward Matt Kreklow added 18 to lead Delano to a 81-67 victory over Wright County Conference East Division and Class 3A, Section 6 rival Orono on Friday night at Orono High School. 

Wishart and Kreklow combined for 34 first-half points as the Tigers (15-3,4-1), ranked No. 7 in Class 3A by Minnesota Basketball News, built a 47-25 halftime lead. Delano eased to the victory despite being outscored 42-34 in the second half.

Senior forward Samuel Sustacek led the No. 9-3A Spartans (14-5, 2-3) with 21 points. 

Spotlight Game Coverage