New Ulm hands WHS boys first loss of season

It was a rollercoaster week for the Waseca boys’ basketball team. After having its best offensive performance against Medford Tuesday, Jan. 5, the Bluejays lost to conference rivals New Ulm and Jackson County Central. They snapped the two-game losing streak with a win against Fairmont on Monday, Jan. 9.

Waseca 92, Medford 63

Medford arrived to Waseca with a two-game winning streak after starting the season 0-3. But Waseca was willing to do anything to stay undefeated.

The Jays had the best first half of the season, scoring 54 points to Medford’s 34. While the Tigers’ Austin Erickson and Connor Jones gave Waseca a bit of trouble, the Jays continued to pour it on with 38 more points to Medford’s 29. 

The match ended up being Waseca’s highest scoring game. On the flip side, however, it was the most points they had given up.

“I am proud of the effort we put out there tonight,” coach Seth Anderson said. “I feel we are prepared to take on New Ulm.”

Damarius Russell led the team with 18 points while Laird Keeton and Carson Ohnstad had 17 each. Others: Andrew Robran 8, Zach Hulscher and Tyson Reger 7 each, Tauston Rupe, Addison Sampson and Deron Russell 4 each, and Sabastian Teague and Logan Heyer 2 .

New Ulm 81, Waseca 71

Both teams gave a great offensive battle on New Ulm’s court Friday, Jan. 6. But with home-court advantage, the Bluejays found themselves behind the Eagles 39-29.

“The Russell brothers were absent for this game, the one again Jackson County Central, and Fairmont to watch their brother play in the championship game between NDSU and SDSU,” Anderson explained.

The team still held its own without them. Ohnstad and Reger had their best games of the season scoring 25 and 17 points, respectively. But New Ulm’s Cotton Benson had a 39-point night, which ultimately cost Waseca.

“I felt the kids battled well against New Ulm,” Anderson said. “But we got rebounded by 20. That is what really cost us the game.”

The loss snapped their undefeated streak at seven.

Other scorers for the team were Hulscher 10, Rupe 6, and Keeton and Robran 4 each.

Jackson Co. Central 88, Waseca 85

A schedule change between Waseca and Jackson County Central meant that the Jays went from the hosts to the visitors last Saturday. It was another offensive shootout. Ohnstad again put the team on his back with a 26-point night. Keeton also had a great game with 18 points.

But the result of the game came down to one play.

“We had the ball in a tie game with 30 seconds left holding for the last shot,” Anderson explained. “We had a pass intercepted for a breakaway layup on the other end. Tragic loss.”

Noah Thompson scored 12 points, Hulscher and Reger 9, Robran 6, and Jacob Thompson 5.

Waseca 48, Fairmont 33

Waseca stopped the losing streak at two with a big win against Fairmont. Anderson said the team changed things up on defense, which helped them get the victory.

“We made a switch to a 2-3 zone in the first half that really gave Fairmont a tough time,” he said.

Ohnstad led the team with 14 points. Keeton contributed 9, Hulscher 8, Reger 8, N. Thompson 4, Rupe 3, and Robran 2.

The boys’ record is now 8-2. They travel to Blue Earth Area Friday, Jan. 13 and host Glencoe-Silver Lake the next day.