Maybe a different playoff game, or(o)no

Prologue:
A late change of plans takes me from my planned 4 vs 5 game (Tartan at NSP) to another 4 vs 5 game.  This one in section 6AAA as Orono visits Minneapolis Henry.  Lots of contrast in this one.  Henry going with 8 seniors in their 9 man rotation including 5 senior starters.  Orono returning all 5 starters next year and only bringing 2 seniors off the bench.  Orono with a slower big lineup against a smaller more athletic Patriots squad.  Orono with execution, post play and shooting.  Henry with slashing and the defense generating offense.  Always fun tunes on the PA at Henry but tonight's tune was blaring in City Center before the game.  Its from 30 years ago and was from a fantastic album that was worked on right here in Minneapolis.

Song of the Day: Escapade - Janet Jackson

Game Time
Orono can't get anything to drop early on.  Henry slashing to the rim.  They open up on a 17-4 run.  But starting guards Glentrell Carter and Mark Campbell both to the bench with 2 fouls just over 5 minutes in.  Freshman guard Kyle Kallenbach off the Orono bench with a triple and another bucket as the Spartans claw their way back.  Sebastian Loder back to back bombs to end an 8-0 run for Orono.  That ties the game at 22 at the 3:15 mark.  Yusuf Abdullah counters for Henry with 2 3s of his own and a steal that he dishes off for another bucket.  Henry ends the half on a 14-4 run over the last 2:40.  36-26 Henry at the break.

Campbell with his 4th foul on the 1st play of the 2nd half.  Orono pounding the offense glass early in the 2nd half.  Big center Andrew Mandel with 3 grabs leading to 6 points.  Forward Connor Chappell with 2 buckets and triple as part of the run too.  12-2 Orono run to start the half.  That ties the game at 38 with 12:30 left.  Henry breaks the run and then decides to spread the floor on offense.  Defensively they spin up a diamond press.  The diamond press creates 3 quick turnovers.  That spread opens up driving lanes which lead to wide open kick out 3s.  Henry makes 4 of them as part of a 17-2 run that puts the game out of reach.  55-40 with 7:23 left.  Orono tries some 1-3-1 trap but never really threatens the rest of the way.  Henry wins 68-58.

Post Game:
Sebastian Loder leads Orono with 17 points and 5 3s.  Being able to stop the dribble and some critical turnovers were the story for them.  The Spartans finish the season 10-17 (3-9 start).  With a 6-4 league finish and 7 players from tonight's rotation, including all 5 starters, coming back there's plenty to be excited about for next year.

Henry advances to play at top seed De La Salle on Saturday.  Isaiah Smith with 4 triples and 14 points in an unexpected performance.  De'Leon Gardner with 14 points off the bench.  He had to fill in the minutes of Glentrell Carter and Mark Campbell due to foul trouble.  After struggling on the glass tonight, can they keep Jalen Travis off the boards on Saturday.