Albany Girls Basketball 2022

Albany girls to

defend state title

Everything that could go right did in Section 6AA win

BY MIKE KOSIK STAFF WRITER

Just about everything that could go right did for the Albany Huskies girls basketball in winning the Section 6AA championship March 12, as they defeated the Sauk Centre Mainstreeters 58-25 at St. John’s University in Collegeville. They now go on to defend their Class AA title at the state tournament this week.

Albany took an 8-0 lead and built a 35-8 first-half advantage and then continued their dominance in the second half.

“We really prepared for this game,” said Bailey Keske, starting senior guard. “Our offense was flowing; our teamwork was there tonight. Everything was going in for us.”

In the first half, it seemed Albany could do no wrong. The Huskies opened with back-toback scores by senior center

Madi Herkenhoff. Senior guard Joran Carlson and Keske followed with two points each, and Albany was up 8-0. Sauk Centre hit a 3-pointer, but the Huskies rattled off the next 14 points to go up 22-3 with 7 minutes and 28 seconds left in the half as Alyssa Sand, Keske and Herkenhoff put up points.

Albany’s scoring opportunities came off of defensive rebounds, turnovers and steals.

A three by the Mainstreeters made it 22-6 at 6:55, but Albany closed out the first half on a 13-2 run. That run was capped by Savanna Pelzer’s field goal at the buzzer following her defensive rebound.

Albany took a 35-8 lead at the break.

“I think it got us fired up,” said Kylan Gerads, sophomore forward, about the big lead. “We all had a bunch of energy and just came out, and I think everybody played well.”

t did or d at the he run zer’s ze lowad at more “We and verypace in the secondth half, 39-

“I most definitely think this was our best defensive game of the year,” Carlson said.

With Sauk Centre’s ability

The Mainstreeters were held to just 18.8% on field-goal shooting, while Albany shot 51.7% in the first half. They also held a big edge on turnovers, with Sauk Centre committing 15 and Albany just four. half, going up 39-8 for a 31-point margin. The point spread never dropped below 26 and was as high as 36 (56-20) at 2:31.

to score inside and outside, the Huskies had a gameplan to attack the Mainstreeters’ strengths.

“We knew coming in we were going to have to play defense, and we were going to have to guard the base,” Herkenhoff said.

And it worked, with Herkenhoff noting three Mainstreeter starters had zero points in the first half.

Albany coach Aaron

The Albany Huskies girls basketball team converges at midcourt for a postgame celebration March 11 at St. John’s University in Collegeville. For the second straight season, the Huskies are the Section 6AA champions.

6AA win from front

Boyum also had good words to say about Albany’s defense.

“I thought we defended really well,” he said, and added Albany rebounded well, 33 to 19 in Albany’s favor with 16 on the offensive end.

“If you clear the boards and get offensive rebounds, that goes a long way, considering how many extra possessions or fewer possessions for one team or another,” Boyum said.

The Huskies scored 20 secondchance points.

As for the offense, Boyum said, “We rotate nine girls, so we knew with our depth we wanted to be able to get out and run when we had the opportunity to do so.”

Turnovers led to 30 Albany points.

The Huskies finished the game making 48.9% of their field goals and were 64.3% from the free-throw line. The Huskies had just eight fouls, and Sauk Centre went to the line just one time.

At halftime, the All-Section 6AA team was announced, with Herkenhoff and Sand being selected.

The Mainstreeters came into the game as the second seed in the section with a 22-7 record. Albany goes into the state

tournament 23-5.

Albany won the Class AA championship last year and are returning to defend their title.

“This has been a dream of ours since the season began,” Sand said. “We had some losses throughout the year, but those just made us better. We look forward to what’s coming.”

Sand led the Huskies in scoring with 16 while Herkenhoff had 14. Albany 35 23–58 Sauk Centre 8 17–25

Sand 16 points (6 rebounds), Herkenhoff 14, Gerads 7 (7R, 4 steals), Keske 6 (5R), Carlson 5, Danica Findley 3, Pelzer 2, Samantha VanHeel 2, Lauren Nett 2 and Tatum Findley 1. Albany 52, Kimball 37

The Huskies reached the Section 6AA finale by defeating Kimball Area 52-37 March 9 at SJU in Collegeville. While the Huskies took an early lead in the first half, the Cubs stayed close.

The Huskies led by 10 (2515) with a little under four minutes left in the first half, their biggest lead, following a 3-pointer by Gerads, who led Albany in scoring with 25 points.

The Cubs cut the lead to five, but Pelzer, off of a steal, scored the

final points of the half at 1:24 to give the Huskies a 27-20 edge.

The game stayed tight in the second half, but about seven minutes into the half, Carlson hit a three that started a 10-0 run as Danica Findley and Gerads also added points to make it a 46-30 Huskie lead.

Albany stayed in that double-digit lead range the rest of the way.

“I think our passing was really good,” Boyum said. “I thought our floor spacing

was good. We did a good job of getting the ball to the high post.”

The Huskies successfully worked the ball inside, scoring 32 of their points in the paint.

The defense held Kimball Area to just 28.6% on field goals.

Albany 27 25–52

Kimball Area 20 17–37

Gerads 25 (11R), Carlson 8 (4A), Sand 6 (9R, 3S), Keske 5, Danica Findley 4, Marissa Voigt 2, Pelzer 2, Herkenhoff (5R, 3S).

PHOTOS BY MIKE KOSIK

Albany High School activities director Scott Buntje presents the Section 6AA championship trophy to Danica Findley (from left), Madi Herkenhoff, Joran Carlson and Bailey Keske who then rushed back to their teammates for a final celebration of their 58-25 win over Sauk Centre March 11 at St. John’s University in Collegeville. The Huskies will defend their Class AA state title this week in Minneapolis.

Albany’s Marissa Voigt tries for two points while a Kimball defender tries to block the shot March 9 in the semi-final Section 6AA game at St. John’s University.

Albany’s Kylan Gerads drives for the basket past the Kimball defender March 9 at St. John’s University in Collegeville. Albany won 52-37.

Q...? A...&

Learn about the Huskies

#1 ALYSSA SAND

Describe your emotions after realizing your team had won the section championship.

I was super happy when we won because we’ve been working toward this goal since the beginning of the season and put in so much hard work. We always want to be the best team by March and our work throughout this season paid off.

What do you feel helped the Huskies repeat as Section 6AA champions?

I just think our chemistry and knowing how our team plays helped. We knew what shots each other liked and what each teammates had to do. We all had our own separate roles and performed them well.

What is your favorite part about being a member of the Albany girls basketball team?

Just how much fun we have and how much of a true “team” we are. We always help each other and have fun in practice, which helps when playing in such big games.

Outside of the section championship, what is your favorite moment from this season?

Probably our first game of the playoffs, because we were ready and just wanted to push toward our goal. We knew what we had to do and were just ready to go out and have fun.

#3 SAVANNA PELZER

Describe your emotions after realizing your team had won the section championship.

I was very excited and hyped that we were going to state. What do you feel helped the Huskies repeat as Section 6AA champions?

I think playing as a team and working hard to get where we are is what helped us repeat as Section 6AA champions.

What is your favorite part about being a member of the Albany girls basketball team? Everyone gets along and everyone cheers you on no matter what.

Outside of the section championship, what is your favorite moment from this season?

When Bailey Keske did a behind-the-back layup and everyone got hyped.

BAILEY KESKE

Describe your emotions after realizing your team had won the section championship.

Immediately, winning the section championship brought me so much joy. Having the opportunity to play at state with this team makes me really happy, because the chemistry this team has built over the season is out of this world. Going into the game, the nerves settled over me, but after the first few minutes of flowing with my teammates, I noticed how dominant we really are, which led to our win over Sauk.

What do you feel helped the Huskies repeat as Section 6AA champions?

I believe we worked very hard as a team and our dominate defense helped us pull out the win. Over this season, we struggled trying to connect the dots, but now, we all work well together and incorporate lots of communication. Our defense also helped us throughout the game. Sitting in a 2-3 zone with our length and smarts is hard for teams to score on. It also gives us nice looks on offense when we get teams frustrated in the long run.

What is your favorite part about being a member of the Albany girls basketball team?

Being a part of the Albany girls basketball team is everything to me. There has been so many talented players to come through Albany and it’s awesome to see how much talent gets developed over the years from athletes that come from Albany.

Outside of the section championship, what is your favorite moment from this season?

One of my favorite moments from the season has to be our win over Pequot Lakes. The win over them gave our team so much momentum over the rest of the season. Also, playing some of the top teams throughout the season was fun. I live for competition, and playing tougher opponents, to me, helps the team see what we need to work on.

Describe your emotions after realizing your team had won the section championship.

I was in complete shock. I knew that we could do it, but to actually realize that we made it after all the hard work we have put in was such a surreal feeling.

What do you feel helped the Huskies repeat as Section 6AA champions?

I think all of us working together so hard and putting in time out of practice helped us to reach where we are today.

What is your favorite part about being a member of the Albany girls basketball team?

All of the friends I have made. The memories are things I will always remember. We are like a little family that stuck through it all.

Outside of the section championship, what is your favorite moment from this season?

When I burnt holes in two pairs of shorts within the span of two weeks after diving on the floor for loose balls.

#13 TATUM FINDLEY

Describe your emotions after realizing your team had won the section championship.

I was very excited and happy when we won. It was an amazing feeling, especially since it was my first section championship.

What do you feel helped the Huskies repeat as Section 6AA champions?

I think going hard against each other in practice has helped us improve a lot. Overall, we all just play well together.

What is your favorite part about being a member of the Albany girls basketball team?

Having fun with my teammates while still working hard. We are all super close and enjoy each other’s company. Everyone is very supportive.

Outside of the section championship, what is your favorite moment from this season?

The Menahga game. They were a challenge for us and we fought for the win. Everyone worked hard in this game. I felt proud and accomplished.

#15 SOPHIA SCHIFFLER

Describe your emotions after realizing your team had won the section championship.

I was really proud of the team and just how far we have come this year.

What do you feel helped the Huskies repeat as Section 6AA champions?

I think it helped that the team was really close this year and we all got along well. We also knew what we had to do to get this far, so the effort the team has put in was incredible.

What is your favorite part about being a member of the Albany girls basketball team?

By far how well we all get along. The girls always know how to make each other laugh and enjoy our time together.

Outside of the section championship, what is your favorite moment from this season?

Celebrating after big wins in the locker room.

#22 SAMANTHA VANHEEL

Describe your emotions after realizing your team had won the section championship.

Just overall proud and lots of excitement.

What do you feel helped the Huskies repeat as Section 6AA champions?

I think the fact our team is so close and every practice is a time for all of us to get better as a team.

What is your favorite part about being a member of the Albany girls basketball team?

The family feel and goofiness of our team.

Outside of the section championship, what is your favorite moment from this season?

When me and Danica came up with a dance to “Cruisin’ for a Bruisin” at practice.

Q&A page 4B

KYLAN GERADS

Describe your emotions after realizing your team had won the section championship.

I was so hyped and extremely excited and so proud of the whole team and what we’ve accomplished, and it was so fun to be able to celebrate as a team and with all the fans.

What do you feel helped the Huskies repeat as Section 6AA champions?

I think it helped that earlier in the season, we played very good teams to help us know what we had to work on and we all came out ready to play as a team and we all played our hardest. What is your favorite part about being a member of the Albany girls basketball team? Being able to play with all of my teammates on the court, but also having so much fun with them off the court and getting to share so many memories as a team.

Outside of the section championship, what is your favorite moment from this season? I would have to say the doubleheader at Cathedral, because it was such a great environment to play in with a big crowd and it was fun to watch the boys team win before us.

#24 LAUREN NETT

Describe your emotions after realizing your team had won the section championship.

I was really happy that we had a big win over Sauk Centre and super excited to go to state.

What do you feel helped the Huskies repeat as Section 6AA champions?

I think we had a lot of confidence going into the playoffs, which was huge, and everyone’s hard work in practice and hard work spent on their own time has really paid off and showed. What is your favorite part about being a member of the Albany girls basketball team? Getting to experience going to state, being surrounded by my friends and getting to play with them.

Outside of the section championship, what is your favorite moment from this season?

When Callie Holthaus made a buzzer-beater halfcourt shot and everyone went wild.

#25 CALLIE HOLTHAUS

Describe your emotions after realizing your team had won the section championship.

I was really happy and excited that we get to go to state. What do you feel helped the Huskies repeat as Section 6AA champions?

I think it was our hard work and dedication. Everyone works really hard at practice and in the weight room.

What is your favorite part about being a member of the Albany girls basketball team? Getting to go through experiences like winning the section championship and going to state. It is also really fun to hang out with teammates, because everyone is always laughing and having a good time.

Outside of the section championship, what is your favorite moment from this season?

When Bailey Keske did a behind-the-back layup and the whole bench went crazy.

#31 MAGGIE SEILER

Describe your emotions after realizing your team had won the section championship.

After realizing we won, it was a very exciting moment, as I have never been to state before. The energy from the whole team was so energetic and positive.

What do you feel helped the Huskies repeat as Section 6AA champions?

I feel like our team is so close, on and off the court. We work well as a team and are always able to make the environment a good place. For this reason, I think we were able to repeat being section champs.

What is your favorite part about being a member of the Albany girls basketball team?

Definitely the environment we have created. All of us girls are so close and always have a fun time, whether it’s on the bus before a game or even at practice. The environment we created had just made the season so enjoyable.

Outside of the section championship, what is your favorite moment from this season?

My favorite moment from this year would have to be the celebrations we have in the locker rooms after big wins. We are also always able to have good laughs at practice, and those moments will always be some of my favorites.

JORAN CARLSON

Describe your emotions after realizing your team had won the section championship.

I honestly couldn’t believe it. It feels surreal to be able to go back for the second time.

What do you feel helped the Huskies repeat as Section 6AA champions?

Our defensive game helped us greatly. We knew we had some big defensive responsibilities and needed to accomplish those to win.

What is your favorite part about being a member of the Albany girls basketball team? How close we all are to each other.

Outside of the section championship, what is your favorite moment from this season? After winning the section championship, Boyum did “The Griddy” and the team went nuts.

Describe your emotions after realizing your team had won the section championship.

I was super happy and so excited to go back to the state tournament with my teammates, and especially the opportunity to enjoy it with my sister this time.

What do you feel helped the Huskies repeat as Section 6AA champions?

I think what helped is our team works so well together. We all work so hard to be as good as we can individually and as a team.

What is your favorite part about being a member of the Albany girls basketball team?

I get to make such good friendships with my teammates.

Outside of the section championship, what is your favorite moment from this season?

I don’t have a specific moment, but spending time with my teammates outside of school, at practice and during games.

#41 EVA SCHWENZFEIER

Describe your emotions after realizing your team had won the section championship.

We felt accomplished, excited and confident.

What do you feel helped the Huskies repeat as Section 6AA champions?

Working hard at practice and playing together.

What is your favorite part about being a member of the Albany girls basketball team?

Everyone is very fun and welcoming.

Outside of the section championship, what is your favorite moment from this season?

Getting to know everyone.

#43 ALIYA IMDIEKE

Describe your emotions after realizing your team had won the section championship.

I was very happy and excited, because we get the chance to go back to state.

What do you feel helped the Huskies repeat as Section 6AA champions?

We all worked together in practice and on the court. We also cheered everyone on and we were very supportive of one another.

What is your favorite part about being a member of the Albany girls basketball team? Being able to play with my friends every day.

Outside of the section championship, what is your favorite moment from this season?

Hanging out with each other after practice and games, because we really got to bond with one another.

#45 CARMEN EIYNCK

Describe your emotions after realizing your team had won the section championship.

I was absolutely thrilled. The amount of adrenaline and disbelief I felt was such a great feeling. I couldn’t be more proud of my team than what I felt in that moment.

What do you feel helped the Huskies repeat as Section 6AA champions?

I was incredibly proud at the way we worked hard and played well as a team. I believe the way we communicated, jumped to the ball, rebounded and boxed out played a huge factor for our success in the game.

What is your favorite part about being a member of the Albany girls basketball team? For sure the amount of support each team member gives to one another. Everyone gets excited for each other and hypes up the individual when something good happens for them. I love that we all get along.

Outside of the section championship, what is your favorite moment from this season? I would say the multiple times we popped open Welch’s sparking juice in the locker room after we had a big win.

#51 ALEXIS ZIERDEN

Describe your emotions after realizing your team had won the section championship.

I was so excited. “We did it.” That’s what I just kept saying in my head over and over.

What do you feel helped the Huskies repeat as Section 6AA champions?

I think everyone working as a team was a huge part of our success.

What is your favorite part about being a member of the Albany girls basketball team?

The friendships I have formed from the sport.

Outside of the section championship, what is your favorite moment from this season?

I would say the Menahga game. We fought and played hard and ended up winning. It was a very fun game to be a part of.

Describe your emotions after realizing your team had won the section championship.

The section championship game was a fun atmosphere, and I was filled with great excitement and realizing we were heading back to the state tournament.

What do you feel helped the Huskies repeat as Section 6AA champions?

I think our defense and transition game made a huge impact in the championship game.

What is your favorite part about being a member of the Albany girls basketball team? Making new friendships with girls on the team.

Outside of the section championship, what is your favorite moment from this season? Celebrating after big wins throughout the season.

Carmen Eiynck (right) laughs with Sophia Schiffler during a break in the action March 11 at St. John’s University in Collegeville. The Section 6AA tournament was all fun for the Huskies, who are the section champions for the second year in a row.

Describe your emotions after realizing your team had won the section championship.

I was super happy and proud of the girls for working so hard. What do you feel helped the Huskies repeat as Section 6AA champions?

Working together as a team and learning from game to game, then applying what they learned to do/not to do from the last game to the next game.

What is your favorite part about being a member of the Albany girls basketball team? How close everyone is on the team and watching the girls improve from game to game.

Outside of the section championship, what is your favorite moment from this season? Listening to music before games to get more hyped up.

JAZMIN HERNANDEZ

Describe your emotions after realizing your team had won the section championship.

I was extremely excited and so proud of the players. What do you feel helped the Huskies repeat as Section 6AA champions?

Their hard work and dedication.

What is your favorite part about being a member of the Albany girls basketball team?

How close everyone on the team is.

Outside of the section championship, what is your favorite moment from this season?

When the Bauers had the whole team over for supper.

Photo by Evan Michealson

Laying the foundation starts early

BY TOM FENTON STAFF WRITER

Tom Findley has been coaching basketball since he was 19 years old. Once he took that floor in Chatfield, Minnesota, he has not been able to walk away.

“I’ve been hooked ever since,” said Findley, one of many coaches in the Albany Youth Basketball Association who have helped shape a successful high school program. “I love sports in general and what it does for kids to succeed in their lives going forward. Once I got a taste of it, I wanted to keep it going.”

His love for working with kids in the district means he will have some inside knowledge on the Huskies when they take the floor at 8 p.m. March 16 against Rochester Lourdes in the State Class AA Girls Basketball Tournament at historic Williams Arena at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis.

Albany (23-5) is the fourth seed and defending state champion, while the Eagles (21-7) are seeded fifth. The semifinals are set for 6 and 8 p.m. Friday, with the title game at 2 p.m. Saturday. The semifinals and finals also are at Williams Arena, with consolation games at Concordia University in St. Paul. Providence Academy (26-4) – which was Albany’s opponent in last year’s title game – is the top seed.

Findley has coached in the Albany girls youth program since 2016 as his daughters Danica and Tatum and their teammates

came through the program. Seeing them grow from fourth graders learning the fundamentals to a cohesive varsity team that has earned the chance to play on the state’s biggest stage gives Findley immense pride.

“There’s nothing better than starting with them in fourth grade and watching them grow to where they are currently,” Findley said. “It’s a really great group of girls and great families as well.”

His coaching duties also gave him extra time with Danica and Tatum, though he said they understand there is a different father-daughter dynamic once they take the court.

“One of the things I tell them is ‘I’m Dad at home and coach on the court,’” said Findley, who is also the general manager of St. Cloud Toyota in Waite Park. “Coaching them is a totally different animal than being their dad. It’s about the team once you get on that floor and not just how your kids do. I learned that from (youth coach) Shawna Gerads. We taught each other a lot over the years. I’ve never coached alone. I always had other great coaches working with me.”

A successful high school team, in most cases, is a byproduct of a suc-

cessful youth program. Findley said the AYBA is a huge reason for the strong high school program, which has flourished under ninth-year head coach Aaron Boyum, who brings a 203-53 record to the state tournament.

The girls get involved at an early age, and with the high school girls assisting the youth program by volunteering for officiating and helping coach, it gives the young girls a head start on seeing how to both play and act.

“These younger kids get to know the high school girls a little and they look up to them,” Findley said. “They want to see this happen to them once they get to high school. It’s kind of easy when the groundwork is laid for you by the high school coaches. All you have to do is nudge them along and say, ‘Wouldn’t you like to be there someday.’ Albany just has such great sports programs allaround. It’s not just basketball. They make it easy for me.”

Findley knows repeating as state champion will be a tall task with such a deep field. Providence Academy is loaded with talent, as is second-seeded Fergus Falls and third-seeded Minnehaha Academy.

Pequot Lakes is 29-1 with its only loss coming to Albany, but the Patriots are unseeded. Montevideo is 25-3 and unseeded.

It all starts with Lourdes, which is loaded with tradition and has eight state titles. The Eagles are led by Augustana College recruit Caroline Amundson.

Regardless of the results, Findley knows it will be a special experience.

“This group has really come together,” Findley said. “They’re very balanced and they’re really playing together. They’re all extremely close, and that makes a difference.”

Alyssa

Kylan

Bailey

Joran

Bailey

Kylan

Rebounds

Assists

Steals

Field-goal

Alyssa

High school, Albany youth program work together to succeed

SUBMITTED PHOTO

Tatum Findley (from left), Tom Findley and Danica Findley meet at Albany girls basketball practice March 14 at Blattner Energy Community Center in Albany. Tom, an Albany youth coach, has mentored many members of this year’s Section 6AA championship team, including his daughters.

Coaching with composure

Boyum reaches milestone in season of momentous growth

BY EVAN MICHEALSON STAFF WRITER

ALBANY- When focused on lofty team goals, individual milestones often come second.

So, when Albany girls basketball head coach Aaron Boyum picked up his 200th win for the Huskies following the team’s 60-29 victory over Little Falls Feb. 24, it was something the longtime leader of the Huskies had not even expected.

“I didn’t know when it happened that it was something that was even close,” Boyum said. “I was really surprised, and just excited. As far as what it means, it means I’m getting older, I guess. Also, it attributes to the success we’ve been able to have over the last nine years.”

The lopsided triumph also exemplified the incredible strength Albany showed against its conference this season. The Huskies won 13 consecutive Granite Ridge games, only losing its regular season finale to Pierz, and with an average margin of victory of over 31 points, looked dominant in doing so. Results like these were no guarantee entering the season, especially after losing key pieces like guards Paige Meyer and Abbie Christen in a sevenmember senior class.

“I think just having that senior class move on, and then having our current senior class take over, it was just going to be something that took time,” Boyum said. “Their role was going to be different on this year’s team than last year’s.”

Tough losses marred an uneven start to the season for the Huskies. Albany fell to state qualifier Minnehaha Academy by 32 points at the Breakdown Sports Tip-

Off Classic Dec. 4 before dropping a heartbreaking section showdown against Sauk Centre five days later. Defeats to Providence Academy and Class AAAA’s Minnetonka led to the reigning Class AA state champions starting 4-4.

“It’s not easy to open a season 4-4 and be able to see what the team can become,” Boyum said. “As a staff, we knew we could get somewhere if we wanted to and if we could approach some lumps that may happen early in the season the right way and use them as opportunities for learning, opportunities for growth. That’s what they ended up being for our team.”

Albany’s roster had a lot of returning talent from last year’s first-place finishers, but many players were going to have to take on a bigger role than before. Instead of finding fits for specific positions, Boyum and the coaching staff simply pushed their players to do what they do best, and the rest is history.

“I think I’ve learned over time that a lot of things play themselves out,” Boyum said. “I try to let that happen as organically as it possibly can. I think it really has this year. As the year goes on and we get further and each of us understands our roles and understands the value we bring to the team, it just seems to gel and meld pretty well.”

Contributions from starters and reserves alike have led to the Huskies clinching a spot in the Class AA state tournament for the fourth in Boyum’s nine-year coaching career in Albany. Every single squad has had its own identity built around its strengths, but there have been many consistent aspects of the

game he emphasizes as a coach, including defensive rebounding. Effort on the boards is a staple of every Huskies team.

“For us, we want to push the ball in transition and be able to score transition points, and it’s hard to do that if you don’t grab defensive rebounds,” Boyum said.

Another important feature of this year’s Huskies group is versatility. No player averaged more than 11 points per game, and having as many as 10 players receiving important minutes gives the team valuable depth and ball distribution. Not only can anyone on the team score, but each player has their own niche.

“Because we have a good amount of ability, we each have our own strengths,” Boyum said. “Some of our strengths shine a bit more on the perimeter, some shine in the post, some shine against man defense, some shine more against a zone defense, some shine more in a half-court style of game, some shine more in a full-court style of game.”

Boyum and the Huskies have achieved many wins together and are looking for a few more here in March. The Huskies, sitting sixth in the QRF rankings, begin its state tournament appearance as the fourth seed,

Albany girls basketball head coach Aaron Boyum (above, right) gathers his team during a timeout March 11 at St. John’s University in Collegeville. For the fourth time in his Albany coaching career, the Huskies have clinched a spot at state.

with a marquee matchup against Rochester Lourdes, ranked ninth in the QRF, at 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 16, at Williams Arena in Minneapolis.

“You have to attack the opportunity,” Boyum said. “It’s not going to come to you.”

Good Luck to the Girls Basketball Team at State! Ahead. Stream.

It’s Unlimited.

PHOTOS BY MIKE KOSIK

Albany girls basketball head coach Aaron Boyum watches his team compete in the Section 6AA championship March 11 at St. John’s University in Collegeville. One year after winning it all, Boyum and the Huskies are back in the state tournament.