Buffalo Bison: 2007 State Basketball Champs
Game recap is below. Click the photo thumbnails below to view larger versions of the state title game and parade photos.
Buffalo: 2007 Class 4A Basketball State Champions!
The Buffalo Bison captured the Class 4A boys' Minnesota state basketball championship Saturday night with a 67-65, down-to-the-wire victory over Armstrong at Target Center. Buffalo battled back from a 10-point deficit in the second half and survived a dramatic exchange of 3-point baskets by each team to claim the state title in dramatic fashion.
Darrin Olmscheid led the Bison with 25 points, including the game-winning shot with 2.4 seconds to play. Olmscheid was the key offensive weapon and shot 6 for 6 from 3-point range to fuel Buffalo’s success. Karl Olson scored 17, hitting some clutch free throws in the final minutes and Dee Broadnax had 14 and provided huge key plays in the game for the Bison.
Senior Josh Ortmann who left Thursday nights game with a severely sprained ankle somehow managed to start and log valuable minutes for Buffalo while adding 9 points. Once again, the team play of Buffalo was it’s biggest asset as players made contributions when called upon.
Buffalo finished their state championship season with a 28-3 record and won their last 18 games to close out the season. Buffalo, MN students and fans were living up the championship atmosphere at Target Center in Minneapolis as thousands of fans cheered on Buffalo and witnessed and amazing game for the state title.
The team came home to Buffalo, MN on Sunday to a parade through town followed by a pep rally at the Buffalo High School. Game photos and parade photos are above in the photo gallery, just click the images to see larger versions.
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Buffalo's Josh Ortmann, 24, grabs a rebound and is fouled by Armstrong's Ben Bratland on the play. Ortmann sprained an ankle in the semifinal game and watched the second half of that game courtside in a wheelchair, but started the game Saturday.
photo by Star Tribune
