West Q&A: Patriots back in a familiar place at state

The boys' basketball program at Minneapolis Henry has a rich tradition, starting with a state championship in 1944 and most recently winning four consecutive Class 3A titles from 2000 to '03.

Now, the Patriots are back for the first time since that title in 2003. Senior Mandela Jackson has been key all season. The 6-1 guard averages 21 points per game for Henry, and has twice gone over 30 points in a game.

After the Patriots defeated Spring Lake Park for the section championship, Jackson found time to talk with the Star Tribune's Brian Stensaas. Henry (19-10) opens state play at 8 p.m. tonight at Target Center against No. 4 seed St. Michael-Albertville (26-3).

Q How did it feel when the buzzer went off and Henry was officially going back to state?

A It was a good feeling knowing we were back. We'd been on a [four]-year drought, so it was great leading the school back to state.

Q Do you have a sense of pride being one of the players getting Henry back there?

A Yeah. With Henry being there so much in the past, getting us back in it was special. I think there were some out there that didn't think we could get there this year. And now we have to go out and prove we can do it again.

Q This team has a lot of victories this season, but some small stretches of losing streaks. What was the difference?

A We came out taking some teams lightly -- maybe because of their record or something. But after we lost a couple, we found a way to get victories again. We prepared hard for everybody.

Q Did the one particular stretch in late January-early February -- losing to Hopkins, Roosevelt and South -- teach you anything specific?

A We had it in our mind that we had to finish off strong after those losses, especially the two in the conference. We knew we had to put those games behind us and go on a winning streak to finish the season.

Q What type of team are you this season on the court?

A We have a running team. We're really about running the floor rather than a half-court game. When it's a close game, we have to get it done with our style. And it's been working for us.

Q Is there any one thing that's stuck out recently as to how you've been able to get your victories?

A Really, it's been running the floor and finding our open shooters. We've been hot lately. And I think that's how we've been winning games and got us the section championship.

Q It's an odd schedule this year with the week-long break in between sections and state. Can that help or hurt a team?

A I think it can help or hurt. We have some time to let it sink in that it's state time now. We'll think about it a lot; One and done. But, you know, we'll also take the extra time to practice our rebounds and practice our defense. We'll come ready to play.

Q Are defense and rebounding what you need to work on the most?

A Yeah, our board work just needs to be cleaned up a little bit. We need to help our big men out by all of us getting on the glass. We'll be in the gym just about every day working on that.

Q How excited are you to take the floor at Target Center?

A Very excited. Some of us have never been on this stage before. It should be a great experience for all of us. It's really hit us that we're going to state.