SPORTS WRAP

Medford boys’ basketball is taking some lumps at the varsity level this winter. Due to a limited number of players and just one senior, the school made the difficult decision to assemble a limited varsity schedule.

The goal is to get playing time for everyone, while making strides for the future.

Despite coming up on the short end of scores, freshman Landon Seiler is having fun.

“I really like it. Not having the veteran experience is definitely a little taxing. We’re getting blown out some games, but we’re still having fun. We’re still making shots. We’re still running the offense. I always enjoy going to practice, seeing my friends, and seeing my teammates. We’re basically one family here,” said Seiler.

Seiler said the team has advanced quite a bit. “We’re not afraid anymore. We’re not as timid anymore. We’re willing to put up shots. We’re willing to take the shots that we know we can make.”

Tigers head coach Steven Boehning told the Owatonna Live Coaches Show a lot of thought went into adjusting the schedule.

“That’s not going to demoralize the confidence of our team with them being so young. It still gives our guys some opportunities at some games,” said Boehning.

He says players learn skills at the younger levels and now are being thrust into game situations to use those skills to create an offense and defense that competes with other varsity programs.

“It’s really getting those nuances of the games down. So, it’s been good interweaving some skill development but also tying that into some basketball ideas on the court too,” said Boehning.

Sophomore Orion Heintz calls himself a hybrid power forward, playing at times in the paint against older players.

“I just accept it as a challenge and like to just get that mindset of being angry. It being me versus them and just being physical,” said Heintz.

He is dedicated to building his strength.

“I really like going to the weight room. I think it builds a community with my friends. And I just like looking big. It’s really fun,” he said.

Heintz said the offense is a flow. “We’re doing a lot of screens, making a lot of movement around and creating spacing. I really like hitting mid-range shots.”

The Tigers will play about 12 varsity games, essentially half a regular schedule. They will not play in the section tournament. Based on the current roster, the Tigers could have four seniors on the varsity team next season. Boehning says two of them are transfers who aren’t eligible for varsity this season. There are 10 sophomores on the roster right now as well.

Sports is business, too

Time will tell how many extra events the new Owatonna High School brings to town. OHS dance team hosted an invitational for the first time in December and a big youth wrestling tournament took place there.

Owatonna annually hosts the massive Corky’s Early Bird Softball Tournament. The Four Seasons Centre fills up with youth hockey teams multiple weekends.

Those chances for businesses to benefit aren’t lost on Owatonna Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism President Brad Meier.

“It’s huge because we all know how this works. If you have kids who play sports, or you did yourself, it’s the idea that you’re bringing not only the individual athlete, but the family as well. It’s been a big deal for us over the years. Say, a hockey tournament comes to town, and it fills the hotels,” said Meier.

“But not only does it do that. Certainly, people eat at restaurants, and they fill their tanks. We’ve all heard it before, but it does have a compounding effect. Now we’ve got some new hotels as well. So, we’ve got new hotels, more space, a new facility – the high school – which has great athletic facilities.”

During the Business Talk feature on Owatonna Live, he said the timing of the boys’ basketball Federated Holiday Classic was good.

“That one’s really exciting because it’s at a time right after Christmas, but before New Year’s, and it actually gets to be a dead zone for our hospitality industries and the hotels. You bring a bunch of people to town, and it works well for business,” said Meier.

The Governor’s Pheasant Hunting Opener hosted in Steele County in October was “a unique situation because we got to really open the doors to the community, put our best foot forward, and show it to a statewide audience,” said Meier.

Stick it to Cancer

OHS boys’ hockey hosts Stick it to Cancer to benefit junior Nolan Ward who is battling lymphoma, a journey that began in December of 2022. He has dealt with allergic reactions and side effects during treatment. There was hope of him returning to a regular school schedule this fall, but he missed quite a few days during the first semester.

He is currently in the maintenance phase, which is expected to last through April of 2025. Stick it to Cancer is Feb. 10. Order shirts through Court Sports and More by Jan. 26. Find the link on the Owatonna Boys High School Hockey Facebook page and learn more about Ward’s story.

OwatonnaLive.com play-by-play schedule

Thursday, Jan. 18
OHS boys’ hockey vs. Mankato West, 7 p.m.
OHS wrestling vs. Mankato East, 7 p.m.
Medford boys’ basketball vs. Dover-Eyota, 7:15 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 19
Medford boys’ basketball vs. Bethlehem Academy, 7:15 p.m.
OHS boys’ basketball vs. Faribault, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 20
Scot Davis Duals Wrestling Tournament at OHS