Josh Ortmann graduated from Buffalo High School in 2007, where he set a team record for all-time points. Ortmann played his college basketball at St. Cloud State University, where he led the Huskies to a final-four appearance.

Coach Ortmann is very excited to coach this young talented team. He will hope to continue the legacy that Mr. Guida left behind. “It’s an exciting opportunity. I’ve been able to play for coach Guida and now I get to build off a lot of the expectations that he left behind.” Ortmann said. “I will continue to lead the Bison in a positive direction and I can’t wait to get started coaching this group.”

There might be some nerves going into a coach’s first season, but not for Ortmann. “I wouldn’t say that I’m nervous. I’m very excited about the opportunity ahead and I can’t wait to get to work and lead this team to success.” Ortmann said.

“We didn’t come ready to play,” Junior Dylan Rohlin said. “We need to prepare better as a team.”

With so many Juniors playing Varsity this year, it’s been a learning experience for not only the players but the coaching staff and the fans. Junior Luke White has high hopes for the team next year because we have so many juniors returning next year and we have such a great coaching staff.

“I feel like the game could have gone better by us coming better prepared to the game and playing a lot harder,” Junior Brytan Matzke said. “Also the entire game we let them dictate the tempo, if we had played our game it would have been a different story.”

The Bison got off to a slow start, trailing the Royals 37-2 with 5:44 left in the first half. The fans were silent, as the Bison didn’t give them much to cheer about. At the start of the 2nd half, spectators could count the Bison student section with their fingers.

The Bison trailed 63-16 with 12:57 left in the game.  Senior Dusty Willert carried the Bison with six points, while Steffan Musoke led the way for the Royals with a game high 16. 

“The Bison Boys Basketball season is a learning year,” said team reporter Rob LaPlante. “They are 4-19, but the Sonju game went well, for the most part.”

The Bison entered the game 10-5 all-time in a game in which they honor the late Pat Sonju. They play this game with a very heavy heart, honoring the former coach before the game with a moment of silence.

Pat Sonju touched so many lives, inside and outside of basketball, and the Bison are trying to continue the tradition that he would want. “This game is very important for us to win,” Tristan Hardt said. “We want to make Pat Sonju proud.”

The Bison have struggled with injuries all season long, leading to an increased workload for players who may not be quite ready yet.

“It’s very frustrating,” Tommy Bean answered after the game. “We know we can play. Anyone can step up. It’s just not there.”

The game started out with the Bison getting off to a slow start, as they trailed 9-3 with 8:30 left in the first quarter. They went on a 21-9 run to take a 24-18 lead after the 2nd quarter. Dusty Willert led the Bison with 9 points at the break. With 4:38 left in the game, Junior Dylan Rohlin nailed a three pointer to put the Bison up 46-45. The Huskies were up 5 with 2:00 left, and the Bison went to the foul game. The Huskies daggered the Bison by going perfect at the line, cruising to a 65-55 win over the Bison. The Bison were lead by Junior Dylan Rohlin (20) and Senior Dusty Willert (16). Logan Rezac carried the Huskies with 17.

The Bison play the Big Lake Hornets on February 12 at 7:15 at Buffalo High School, seeking to end a 10 game losing streak.