Top Performers: Upsala vs. Onamia
ONAMIA– For those of you cabin dwellers that head to Lake Mille Lacs in the summer, you probably pass right by Onamia, a town on the south end of the lake of just under 900 people. I drove an hour on…
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Continue ReadingONAMIA– For those of you cabin dwellers that head to Lake Mille Lacs in the summer, you probably pass right by Onamia, a town on the south end of the lake of just under 900 people. I drove an hour on Thursday to watch what had to be the biggest heart-wrenching game I’ve watched all year. Think about it, I’ve watched about 75 teams from all over the state, and I found the biggest nail bitter in a high school in Class A that has under 160 students in the entire school. What an awesome experience.
I had run an article earlier this week that included 6’0 forward Lily Orazem of Onamia, who had very limited Hudl film online to watch, so I said on Tuesday, I need to make the trip to Onamia on Thursday night for their section 5A game against Upsala to watch her game. Let’s just say I ended my trip from Onamia very impressed with this central Minnesota unknown talent.. We’ll get more into how Orazem played later, but these were the top performers between the 10 seed Upsala Cardinals and the 7 seed Onamia Panthers, who won on a game-winning free throw by an accidental foul with 4 seconds left on the clock to put the icing on the cake for the Panthers.
Aiyanna Mitchell, Guard, Onamia (2022)
Mitchell may stand at 5’1, but she’s a fierce competitor, to say the least. She knocked down some key free throws at the end of the game to contribute highly to the Panthers victory. Mitchell had some key shots from mid-range and long-range that caught my eye too. Raw talent that could get a little faster, but she’s got time for that only being a sophomore on a roster that has one senior. Five rebounds (unofficial) is also impressive for such a small guard.
Kris Binek, Guard, Upsala (2022)
What an outside spark this young sophomore provided for this Upsala squad. Binek hit 5 three-pointers in which some happened at the end of the game when the lead would change back and forth between Onamia and Upsala. Her jumper is what Coach Nick Klug is going to be happy about over the next two years and watching that guard get even better.
Molly Saboo, Guard, Onamia (2022)
Probably the best Panther on the court besides Orazem, Saboo had some bounce at the basket when Orazem wasn’t dominating it. Saboo also had some key free throws she knocked down. Just another young raw talent this Panther team possesses.
Laura Lange, Guard, Upsala (2020)
This Cardinals senior had a knack for getting to the bucket and getting fouled constantly all night which she had multiple “and ones” which was so key to keeping Upsala around and making this a tight game. Lange had to play like more of a forward tonight as all of her success was in the paint, but she tapped in a great 17 point performance in her final game as a Upsala Cardinal.
MVP
Lily Orazem, Forward, Onamia (2020)
When I run out of paper during games when I am taking notes, that’s usually a pretty good sign that they might be having a top-notch game. Orazem showed off that versatility I saw briefly on film and her ability to move without the basketball was great to watch. She has a flash to her game at the bucket that’s just so composed it just draws you in. Her 32 points, 6 rebounds with making the game-winning free throw to give the Panthers the win 61-60 is all the reason to give Orazem MVP.
Prep Girls Hoops Minnesota caught up with Lily Orazem about how she felt to win this nail-biter at home. “It felt amazing, my team and I have been working up for this all year. At the beginning of the season, no one thought we’d make it anywhere in the playoffs, so to come and win after not winning a playoff game in a few years and to win a playoff game against a tough team, it just feels great and I’m so happy for my teammates and me.”
As for their next opponents’ in Section 5A in 2 seed East Central, Orazem had this to say about her Onamia Panthers on Saturday’s matchup in Finlayson; “We need to carry the joy from this game to Saturday, and I know we can do it because we all believe in each other.”