Coach Grateful for Support from Fans at MN State Basketball Tourney

Wherever they went, the crowds followed. The Owatonna High School boys basketball team had a historic 2021-22 season. And massive crowds turned out in support. Throughout the regular season, the Huskies played in front of big crowds, whether at home or on the road.

[Special Thanks to Rick Espinoza for use of his photo for this story. Find a link to many, many more of his pictures below.]

The level of school pride went into the ionosphere during the playoff run. That included a huge 'white-out' crowd at Mayo Civic Center Arena in Rochester. Following that it was the 'sea' of blue at Target Center for the state quarterfinal game. Overflow attendance at Division II Concordia of St. Paul left a great impression on coach Josh Williams.

"It's been an amazing experience. I think the most humbling part of the whole thing...was the fan support for our guys and our team, coming out of the tunnel at the Target Center the first time against Cretin-Derham Hall on Tuesday night to see the sea of blue and the amount of fans," Williams said on the KRFO Coaches Show Saturday.

"I think we, by far and away, have the best fans and the best following anywhere in the state. I really do. The student section was loaded with kids. It was just a very surreal experience to come out at the Target Center and to see that and to be a part of it."

Tremendous turnout continued at the Gangelhoff Center at Concordia University of St. Paul for the consolation games.

Review these stories from Owatonna's historic season.

• Rally Falls Short versus Andover in Consolation Final
• Huskies Play Solid Start-to-Finish Against Moorhead
• Cretin-Derham Hall Tops OHS on Late Three
• OHS Players React to Section Title Victory
• Huskies Beat Tigers for Second Straight Section Crown
• Who Won the State Titles This Year