Rollercoaster ride

With four minutes remaining in regulation, the outlook was bleak for the Waseca High School boys' basketball team.

Things changed quickly.

The Bluejays rallied from a 10-point deficit, scoring the final 13 points of the game in a thrilling 61-58 victory over Jackson County Central Friday, Jan. 27 in the WHS gym.

"We didn't shoot well," said Waseca coach Seth Anderson. "But we definitely handled pressure better tonight."

It was an uphill battle all night for the Bluejays, who trailed 29-23 at halftime.

Sophomore Damarius Russell had another big night, registering 27 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists and 7 steals. Zach Hulscher scored 13. Others: Deron Russell 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 steal; Laird Keaton 7 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals; Carson Ohnstad 9 points, 6 rebounds, 1 steal; Noah Thompson 2 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals; Tyson Reger 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 steal; Andrew Robran 3 points, 3 rebounds.

The rollercoaster ride continued Saturday with a 65-54 loss to Jordan at Waseca. The visitors led 38-35 at halftime.

"We played well enough defensively to win, but we shot very poor and had some untimely turnovers," said Coach Anderson.

The Bluejays made only 6 of 31 three-point attempts.

"That made it difficult to find any rhythm on offense," said Anderson.

Individually: Damarius Russell 19P, 4R, 2S, 4A; Keaton 12P, 3R, 2A, 2S, 1B; Ohnstad 8P, 2R, 1A, 2S; Deron Russell, 7P, 7R, 3A; Hulscher 3P, 3R, 1A, 1S; Reger 3P, 5R, 1S, 1B; Thompson 2P, 9 R, 1S; Robran 8R.

On Tuesday, Jan. 24, the Bluejays rallied from a 36-35 deficit to defeat Belle Plaine 82-69 at Waseca.

"We played a really good second half," said Anderson. "We finally made some shots."

Damarius Russell led with a triple-double, totaling 19 points, 10 rebounds, 12 assists, 2 steals and 1 blocked shot. Thompson did not miss a shot from the floor while scoring 10 points and adding 7 rebounds, an assist and 2 steals.

Others: Keaton 15P, 2R, 4A, 2S, 2B; Ohnstad 11P, 1R, 1S; Deron Russell 9P, 1R, 4S; Hulscher 8P, 4R, 1A; Reger 6 P, 6R, 2A, 4S; Robran 4P, 2R, 1A, 1B.

"I thought our positioning on defense took some steps forward tonight," said Anderson.

The Bluejays, 4-1 in the Big South West, 4-3 overall in conference play and 14-4 for the season, host Blue Earth Area Friday, Feb. 3 and New Ulm Tuesday, Feb. 7 before traveling to St. James Area Feb. 10.