Waseca Activities

Waseca saw its state tournament opener slip away late as Minnehaha Academy pulled ahead in the second half to claim a 77–69 victory in the Class AA Quarterfinals.

The Bluejays came out composed and matched Minnehaha possession for possession in the opening half. Both teams entered the locker room deadlocked at 33–33, setting up what appeared to be a down-to-the-wire finish. Waseca continued to generate offense after the break, putting up 36 second-half points, but Minnehaha found another gear late, erupting for 44 points in the final 18 minutes to create the decisive margin.

Senior standout Deron Russell turned in a remarkable performance, pouring in 51 points to lead all scorers and keep Waseca within striking distance throughout the contest. Early reports indicate that Russell’s 51-point effort tied the single-game scoring record for a state tournament game, further underscoring the magnitude of his night.

Ethan Hiller provided support on both ends of the floor, finishing with 6 points while controlling the glass with a team-high 10 rebounds. Waseca’s rebounding effort remained consistent across the lineup, as Russell, Wyatt Hager, and Toby Jeske each contributed 6 boards, helping limit second-chance opportunities and keep the Bluejays competitive.

Ball movement also played a role in Waseca’s offensive rhythm, with Hiller dishing out a team-best 4 assists. Russell added 2 assists of his own, while Owen Rupe chipped in with 1.

Waseca’s ability to match Minnehaha early and maintain offensive production into the second half highlighted the team’s resilience, but the Redhawks’ late surge ultimately proved to be the difference.