For most of a season, DeLaSalle coach Dave Thorson doesn’t worry about the scoreboard. His style is geared toward postseason success, which is stating the obvious considering the Islanders have won the last four Class 3A state championships.

Despite an almost completely new team this season, DeLaSalle earned the chance to become the first team to win five consecutive titles with a 71-51 victory over Delano in the Section 6 championship game Thursday at Chanhassen.

Knowing he had to toughen his guys up for March, Thorson put together what he called “the toughest non-conference schedule in the state.” The Islanders took a few lumps, losing three of their first four games.

“These younger guys, they weren’t seasoned,” Thorson said. “They’re seasoned now.”

Led by the smooth two-way play of 6-foot-7 junior forward Goanar Mar, who scored 29 points, DeLaSalle led the entire game. Delano had no answer for Mar, with his ability to create offense and his lengthy arms wreaking havoc on their offense.

“He’s a great player and his arms are so long,” Delano center Matt Kreklow said. “And the way they play defense, they’re always doing something that annoys you.”

Thorson gushed about Mar’s ability to affect a game defensively.
“Defense wins championships and right now, he’s leading us,” Thorson said.

Delano hung close until midway through the second half, despite a rare off-game from guard Calvin Wishart, who scored just seven points after scoring 40 in a semifinal victory over Orono. The Tigers had pulled to within four points, 43-39, but the Islanders went on a quick 12-0 run that sealed the victory.

“We are a much better team now than we were,” said Mar. “At the start of the season, we weren’t playing together. Now, we’ve matured a lot. It feels great to get back to the state tournament because a lot of people thought this group would lose.”

With the long-armed Goanar Mar coming to the rescue every time he was needed, DeLaSalle held off Delano 71-51 to win the Section 6 championship and advance to next week’s Class 3A state tournament.

The Islanders, ranked No. 1 in Class 3A, will get the chance to become the first team in state history to win five consecutive state championships.

Mar, a 6-foot-7 wing, scored 29 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for DeLaSalle (21-4).

After Delano had cut the DeLaSalle lead to four points, 43-39, midway through the second half, Mar and the Islanders’ trademark in-your-face defense went on a 28-12 run to close out the game.

Check back later for more on the game.