DeLaSalle, Austin to meet for Class 3A state title again

Each grabbed an early lead and was never challenged.

March 14, 2014 at 3:45AM
Reid Travis of DeLaSallle scored on the Orono defenders during class 3A Minnesota State boys basketball tournament between DeLaSalle and Orono at Target Center March 13, 2014 in Minneapolis, MN. ] JERRY HOLT jerry.holt@startribune.com
DeLaSalle’s Reid Travis (left) led his team past Orono with 27 points and 12 rebounds in the first Class 3A semifinal on Thursday at Target Center. Ajuda Nywesh paced Austin to a victory over Holy Family in the other semifinal with 21 points. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Top-ranked DeLaSalle isn't overlooking opponents on its way to a third consecutive state championship. The talent-rich Islanders are simply overwhelming them.

Wasting little time against Orono, DeLaSalle started the game on an 8-0 run and never looked back in a 67-41 rout in the Class 3A semifinals Thursday at Target Center.

"We came out with a lot of fire and emotion," DeLaSalle standout forward Reid Travis said. "When we do that, we usually play well."

The only member of Minnesota's "Big Three" recruiting class to reach the state tournament, the Stanford-bound Travis showcased his various talents.

He finished plays around the basket and drew fouls. He exploded off the baseline for a dunk. The 6-7, 240-pound Travis even dribbled end-to-end for a layup.

Travis finished with game highs in points (27) and rebounds (12) and impressed Orono coach Barry Wohler.

"Reid Travis was all that he was advertised," Wohler said. "I looked at the guys on the bench and said, 'He is a beast, gentlemen.' "

The Islanders (25-3) followed their leader, making a case to all who watched which team is the state's best.

Wohler said starting the game down 8-0 had Orono (22-9) "just scrambling from there on."

"I was proud of our effort, but this year, all the rest of us could beat each other and DeLaSalle was that wild card," Wohler said.

"In my mind, they are clearly the best team no matter the class."

Austin 70, Holy Family 42: The Pack is also back.

DeLaSalle might be the state's best team regardless of class, but Austin proved it belongs in the Class 3A championship rematch, routing Holy Family in the other semifinal. A year ago DeLaSalle beat Austin 50-33 to repeat as state champion.

No. 2 seed Austin (28-3) hopes to spoil the Islanders place in history with a monumental upset.

"Our chances — people say it's not there, but I believe we can win," said senior forward Ajuda Nywesh, who led all scorers with 21 points.

"People said we weren't even supposed to be here. So we're going to give it all we've got Saturday."

An all-out approach worked well against the Fire.

Austin stormed to an 18-8 lead a little more than five minutes into the game and never led by fewer than 10 points again.

"We're not DeLaSalle; we don't quite compare with them," Austin coach Kris Fadness said.

"But yeah, we wanted to jump on top early. We wanted to play run-and-gun basketball."

Looking ahead to DeLaSalle, Fadness accepts the underdog role.

"They are a very dynamic team and by far the best team in the state," Fadness said.

"We know the beast is in front of us and we're just going to play Packers basketball, hope it's good enough to be competitive and see what happens."


Gach Gach of Austin shoots a free throw during class 3A Minnesota State boys basketball tournament between Austin and Holy Family at Target Center March 13, 2014 in Minneapolis, MN. ] JERRY HOLT jerry.holt@startribune.com
Gach Gach of Austin shoots a free throw during class 3A Minnesota State boys basketball tournament between Austin and Holy Family at Target Center March 13, 2014 in Minneapolis, MN. ] JERRY HOLT jerry.holt@startribune.com (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Austin Ajuda Nywesh drove the lane on the Holy Family defense and scored during class 3A Minnesota State boys basketball tournament between Austin and Holy Family at Target Center March 13, 2014 in Minneapolis, MN. ] JERRY HOLT jerry.holt@startribune.com
Austin Ajuda Nywesh drove the lane on the Holy Family defense and scored during class 3A Minnesota State boys basketball tournament between Austin and Holy Family at Target Center March 13, 2014 in Minneapolis, MN. ] JERRY HOLT jerry.holt@startribune.com (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
about the writer

about the writer

David La Vaque

Reporter

David La Vaque is a high school sports reporter who has been the lead high school hockey writer for the Minnesota Star Tribune since 2010. He is co-author of “Tourney Time,” a book about the history of Minnesota’s boys hockey state tournament published in 2020 and updated in 2024.

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