Albany tops Waseca in Minnesota high school boys basketball state tournament Class 2A thriller: Live score recap

Get real-time score and game updates from the 2025 MSHSL boys basketball Class 2A championship

Albany boys basketball junior Braeden Justin plays defense during the 2025 Minnesota state tournament semifinal against Caledonia on March 21, 2025 at Williams Arena in Minneapolis. The Huskies won 59-54. / Reid Glenn / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

MINNEAPOLIS — The No. 1 Albany Huskies (32-0) defeated the No. 2 Waseca Bluejays (32-1) 70-63 in the 2025 Minnesota (MSHSL) high school boys basketball state tournament Class 2A championship on Saturday at Williams Arena.

The undefeated Huskies had passed every test this season. But the Bluejays’ speed was something they had not faced before. Led by Demarius and Deron Russell, Waseca can cut off passing lanes and fill space. They also lead the Bluejays in scoring. 

“They’re so fast,” Albany head coach Cory Schlagel said. “We’ve never played against anyone that fast. … But we’ve preached since day one: We have to play defense because that’s going to win. I thought we at least made it difficult on those guys to score.”

The Huskies turned the ball over 23 times in the game, giving the Bluejays an opportunity to fight back from a slow start. Waseca took the lead early in the second half, but Albany stayed aggressive on offense, attacked the basket and took the lead late into the second half. 

Deron Russell, who had made tough shots all night, missed a free throw to cut the Albany lead to tie the game in the final minute. This forced the Bluejays to full-court press, but the Huskies broke the press twice and made layups to seal the win. 

“We had a couple buckets there at the end,” Schlagel said. “I don’t know, that wasn’t coaching. That was just kids making a play, just getting out of those traps, adjusting to it.”

Deron Russell finished with 32 points, and Demarius Russell had 22 points and seven steals. 

“They’re really shifty, and even if you’re heavily contesting them, they can make their shots, so you just got to tip your hat to them when they make a tough shot,” Albany senior Zeke Austin said. 

Austin had a team-high 27 points for Albany. For Austin and fellow seniors, it’s the second state championship for Albany in four years. The Huskies also won the title in 2023.  

“It’s a great feeling,” senior Ethan Meyer said. “For us seniors, we’ve been playing together since we were little. Also, to just see all the hard work we’ve done throughout the years pay off, it is just a great feeling.” 

• Minnesota (MSHSL) boys basketball state tournament: Championship scores, recaps, live updates (3/22/2025)

Albany tops Waseca in Minnesota high school boys basketball state tournament Class 2A thriller: Live score recap

Teams are on the court for introductions.

FIRST HALF UPDATES

Albany wins the opening tip and we're underway.

Waseca has had a tough start. The Bluejays have had three airballs from 3-point range. Albany leads 7-0 with 14:45 remaining.

Timeout Waseca. Albany leads 13-4 with 12:35 remaining. Zeke Austin with seven points already for the Huskies.

Eight minutes remain, and Albany leads 15-8. Waseca is forcing turnovers, which is keeping the Bluejays in the game. They've forced seven so far.

Five minutes to go and Albany leads 23-14. Some Waseca shots are starting to fall.

Waseca leads with 1:46 remaining after a 12-2 run. Damarius Russell hits a 3-point shot to give the Bluejays a 26-25 lead. He is up to 10 points.

HALFTIME: Albany 32, Waseca 26

Zeke Austin's 3-point make plus the foul, and Elliott Burnett's 3-point shot as the clock expired, gives Albany a boost before halftime.

Austin is up to 14 points at halftime. Deron Russell with 10 points for Waseca.

SECOND HALF UPDATES

The second half is underway.

Waseca on a 7-0 run to start the second half.

Thirteen minutes remain in the second half, and Albany leads 38-35. The Bluejays' 7-0 run was halted by an Albany 6-0 run.

A back-and-forth affair continues. Waseca now takes a 41-38 lead with 11:36 remaining in the game. Albany continues to turn the ball over. The Huskies have eight in the half and 19 in the game so far. Waseca has 19 points scored off turnovers.

Waseca has a scoreless three minutes, and Albany take a 53-46 lead with 6:33 remaining.

The game is tied at 57 with 3:30 remaining.

One minute, 51 seconds remains and Albany leads 62-59. Every made basket seems to be answered shortly after.

Deron Russell drew a foul while making a layup, but he missed the free throw. Demarius Russell is then called for a foul on an attempt to steal the ball. Austin makes the 1-and-1 free throws. Waseca ball with 54 seconds remaining and 3-point Albany lead.

Deron Russell makes a layup to cut the Albany lead to one, but the Huskies get an easy layup after breaking the Waseca press. Deron Russell then misses a 3-point shot to tie the game, and after the rebound, Albany pushes and gets a layup to likely seal the win.

FINAL: Albany 70, Waseca 63

Albany's Zeke Austin led the Huskies with 27 points. Sam Hondl added 23 points.

Deron Russell led Waseca with 32 points. Damarius Russell had 22 points and seven steals.

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