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Class 3A, Section 6 final: Orono outlasts Benilde-St. Margaret's

By Ryan Williamson, SportsEngine, 03/16/23, 5:30PM CDT

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With the Spartans defeating the Red Knights, Orono has secured its first state tournament berth since 2015.

The Orono Spartans came out victorious at the class 3A, Section 6 championship game against Benilde-St.Margaret's, advancing their team to the state championships for the first time since 2015. (Shannon Brault, SportsEngine)

Orono emerged victorious at the Class 3A, Section 6 championship game against Benilde-St.Margaret's, advancing their team to the state championship for the first time since 2015. Photo by Shannon Brault, SportsEngine

The Orono seniors have seen the highest highs of a section final game and the lowest lows.

In 2022, those Spartans saw the low end as they fell to Mound Westonka, 77-76, in the Class 3A, Section 6 final.

A year later, Orono experienced the other end of the spectrum. Going up against top-seeded Benilde-St. Margaret’s, the Spartans fought the Red Knights and eventually came through as Orono won 66-62 to capture the Section 6 championship and advance to the Class 3A state tournament for the first time since 2015.

ess in their comeback section championship game. After losing in the sections finals last year, the team came out on top with a 66-62 victory. (Shannon Brault, SportsEngine

Senior Isaiah Hagen of the Spartans was a key component for the team's success in their comeback section championship game. After losing in the sections finals last year, the team came out on top with a 66-62 victory. Photo by Shannon Brault, SportsEngine

First Report

In the third meeting of the season between Benilde-St. Margaret’s and Orono, the Spartans came out on top in the rubber match as Orono won 66-62 to claim the Class 3A, Section 6 crown on Thursday at Chanhassen High School.

The Spartans (24-5) came in as the lower seed after splitting their two regular-season tilts with Benilde-St. Margaret’s. However, Orono was the aggressor early as the Spartans built a double-digit lead in the first half. Sophomore Nolan Groves led the charge in the opening half with 10 points and finished with 16.

The top-seeded Red Knights (24-5) fought back and cut the lead to just a basket after a late charge in the first half. Sophomore forward Jalen Wilson poured in 11 first-half points and finished with 15 points.

In the second half, the teams traded leads with Benilde-St. Margaret’s grabbing a brief lead with just minutes remaining in the game. Junior Ron Lee came alive with 10 second-half points while Jaleel Donley and Jayden Davis also contributed with 10 and 16 points, respectively.

Orono, meanwhile, held firm and fought back to eventually take the lead and hold on for the section championship. Senior guard Isaiah Hagen came through with a team-high 18 points, including a pair of late free throws to ice the win for the Spartans, sending the team to the state tournament for the first time since 2015.

Kayden Wells of Benilde St.Margaret's during Thursday's section championship game with Orono. The teams fought until the end resulting in a close game, only out of reach for BSM due to missed free throws in the final minutes. (Shannon Brault, SportsEngine

Kayden Wells of Benilde St.Margaret's during Thursday's section championship game with Orono. The teams fought until the end resulting in a close game, only out of reach for BSM due to missed free throws in the final minutes. Photo by Shannon Brault, Spor

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