Wayzata, Minnetonka win opening games in state basketball

Pairings are set for the State Class AAAA Boys Basketball Tournament semifinals, which will be Thursday, March 21, at Williams Arena.

In the 6 p.m. game, top-seeded Wayzata will play Cretin-Derham Hall. And in the 8 p.m. game, third-seed Minnetonka will face Eagan, a 73-70 upset winner over Park Center in the opening round.

Wayzata opened state play with a 77-64 win over Rogers March 20 at Target Center. Point guard Isaac Olmstead went seven-for-eight from the field to lead Wayzata with 18 points. Six-nine senior forward Jackson McAndrew added 17 and 6-6 junior forward Wyatt McBeth scored 10. Dylan Bachmeier led Rogers with 14 points.

Wayzata head coach Bryan Schnettler was able to get every varsity player into the game. “It was awesome to get everyone involved,” he said.

Olmstead said, “The environment at Target Center is super cool.”

McAndrew didn’t have a dunk in the game, but watched teammates McBeth and Christian Wiggins dunk back-to-back in the second half to break the game open.

McBeth dunked on a breakaway. “I’ll give that one a 9,” McAndrew said.

Wiggins’ dunk came on a lob pass from Olmstead.

“Definitely a 10,” McAndrew judged.

Minnetonka opened tournament play with an 83-36 win over Coon Rapids. Senior forward Jordan Cain and senior guard Greyson Uelmen each scored 19 points to lead the Skippers and senior forward Kayden Wells added 13. Coon Rapids did not have a scorer in double figures.

Looking to the next game, Cain said, “We won’t take Eagan lightly. It doesn’t matter who you play this time of year. Every team is good.”

In the closest first-round game, Cretin-Derham Hall ended Farmington’s title hopes 57-56. Joe Mitchell led the winners with 23 points. Nik Domier led Farmington with 13.