SPORTS WRAP

The holidays are a time to get together with family. The return of the Federated boys’ basketball tournament in Owatonna may feel like a reunion. The coaches of the three teams coming to town have strong ties here. One is an OHS grad, and two were assistants for Huskies’ head coach Josh Williams.

Lance Pettis is Blaine’s coach and a 1997 OHS grad. He was an all-conference player for Owatonna Hall of Famer Len Olson. Duluth East is led by Rhett McDonald, who assisted in Owatonna in the 2011-12 season.

Williams said, “He has been the head coach at Duluth East since that point and we have always remained in touch as coaching colleagues and friends.”

Todd Dufault coaches North Branch.

“Coach Dufault has been a friend of mine since our college days at Southwest Minnesota State University and was a former assistant of mine here in Owatonna as well for numerous years before taking over the head coaching job at Waseca, then Chisago Lakes, and now North Branch,” said Williams.

It’s been about five or six years since Owatonna hosted this holiday event. Williams says bringing it back “is awesome for our program and community…We are very much looking forward to hosting it again… especially at the new high school.”

Opening night will include a dedication.

“We will be presenting Federated Insurance with a commemorative ball thanking them for their generous support of our school and athletic facility… specifically the new Federated Gymnasium,” said Williams.

The varsity schedule starts Friday, Dec. 29, with Blaine against Duluth East at 6 p.m. and Owatonna versus North Branch at 7:45 p.m. The third-place game is Saturday, Dec. 30, at 3:30 p.m. with the title game at 5:15 p.m. There are junior varsity games as well.

Girls vs. No. 1 team

For the second straight season, OHS girls’ basketball will face the top-rated team in the state over the holiday break. Last year, it was Hopkins. This year, it’s Minnetonka on Wednesday, Dec. 27, at Park Center High School at 4:15 p.m.

“It’s really cool playing them. I think it’ll be a big learning experience for us too,” said Owatonna senior captain Morgan Fisher. She recently committed to Mount Marty University in Yankton, South Dakota to play basketball and study physical therapy. “I used to get injured a lot. So, I had to go to into physical therapy, and I kind of liked doing it,” she said.

Girls skate north

OHS girls’ hockey returns to the Schmitz-Maki Tournament in Farmington. Coach Tony Cloud likes the lineup of teams.

“There are a couple of teams that we’ve seen and are familiar with in the tournament. But then adding Simley, a team that we saw a couple of years ago… They had a really strong team last year and graduated a few of their top kids. It will be a good mix,” said Cloud.

After opening with Simley on Wednesday, Dec. 27, at 1 p.m., the Huskies face section rival Farmington the next day at 5:30 p.m., and close with New Prague on Friday, Dec. 29, at 1 p.m.

Boys head Up North

Huskies’ boys’ hockey plays in the Duluth Denfeld Tournament, opening with Park-Cottage Grove on Wednesday, Dec. 27, at 4:30 p.m. Other teams there include Mankato West, Anoka, Apple Valley, Cloquet-Esko-Carlton, and Irondale.

OHS is off to a strong start, and Coach Dennis Will feels good about the potential.

“I think we’re in the mix. I think we’re going to challenge Century and Northfield in the conference. I think we’re going to surprise some people this year,” he said.

Owatonna has six returning defensemen, a starting goalie, and two forward lines back from a team that was fourth in the Big Nine Conference last season.

Junior varsity teams also play at the holiday tournament for the girls and boys.