Orono girls beat top seed Hutch in section final

March 10, 2017 at 5:42AM
Orono's Anna Hughes (5) collided with Hutchinson's Elle Wheatley as she dribbled the ball in the first half on Thursday, March 9, 2017, at Chanhassen High School in Chanhassen, Minn. ] RENEE JONES SCHNEIDER • renee.jones@startribune.com Section final for class 3A Hutchinson vs. Orono
Hutchinson’s Elle Wheatley collided with Orono’s Anna Hughes as she dribbled the ball in the first half. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Orono coach Lavesa Glover smiled at the scoreboard after the Class 3A, Section 6 championship game Thursday at Chanhassen High School.

It wasn't just because of her team's 66-62 victory over rival and top section seed Hutchinson.

All five starters scored in double figures, including some who average just a few points a game. It was something the first-year coach proudly pointed out.

"You can't dream of a better stat line," Glover said. "I'm just so proud of these girls. They've worked so hard."

Senior Tori Andrew led the Spartans with 18 points and junior Madeline Loder scored the go-ahead layup with about a minute left as second-seeded Orono (24-4) rallied to defeat the Tigers (22-6).

"This game means the world to us," Loder said. "We weren't supposed to be here. It's just such an awesome experience to be here with this team."

Orono lost six seniors from last year's team, including three starters. The team started the season 7-4 but won of 16 of 17 games heading into Thursday, losing only to Hutchinson in that stretch.

The Tigers took a second-half lead Thursday with an 11-0 run, spurred by seven points from MaKenzie Rensch. Orono tied the score with less than three minutes left before Loder's game-winning layup.

Tori Wortz led Hutchinson with 16 points. Gabby Hahn added 15 points and Rensch scored 14. The Tigers had won 16 consecutive games before Thursday and were looking for a second consecutive state tournament appearance.

NATE GOTLIEB

Orono's Tori Andrew made a two point shot to tie the game during the second half on Thursday, March 9, 2017, at Chanhassen High School in Chanhassen, Minn. ] RENEE JONES SCHNEIDER • renee.jones@startribune.com Section final for class 3A Hutchinson vs. Orono
Senior Tori Andrew led Orono with 18 points against Hutchinson. All five starters scored in double figures for the Spartans, who improved to 24-4. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
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