The Winter sports season is over, and here at KRWC we will once again name the best of the best from the Wright County Area in Winter sports. The focus today will be on Boys Basketball. Congratulations to all the athletes and coaches on a great winter sports season.
Player of the Year: Colton Purcell, Annandale. Purcell, a Junior, led the Cardinals to a 23-6 season and a top ten ranking in Class AA. “The fixer” always made the big play when needed and averaged 28 ppg, while scoring over 40 in two games. Purcell went over 1,000 points for his career against Buffalo in late December and was the catalyst for a sixteen-game winning streak during the season for Annandale. Unfortunately, Purcell was hurt in the final regular season game of the season vs. Howard Lake WW and was unable to compete in the playoffs, which was a significant blow to Annandale as the Cards lost in the Section semifinals. Purcell also excels on the football field, where he had three interceptions and threw a touchdown in the Prep Bowl as Annandale won their first state championship in football this fall.
Colton Purcell, above, is our 2026 KRWC Wright County Area player of the year.
Coach of the Year: Josh Ortmann, Buffalo. Ortmann who won a state championship as a player and played at St. Cloud St. before returning to Buffalo to keep up the proud tradition of Bison basketball. The Bison who dominated the Mississippi 8 for years moved to the powerful Lake Conference a few years back, but the Bison haven’t missed a beat, and this year might have been Ortmann’s best coaching job. The Bison started the season 15-1 and were ranked as high as #5 in the state in AAAA. The Bison took down Maple Grove and Hopkins on the road this season and nearly knocked off #1 Wayzata at home in February, before losing in double overtime. Buffalo ended their season with a loss to Hopkins in the semifinals of the toughest section in the state, section 8AAAA. Ortmann was named the Section 8AAAA coach of the year, and the Bison should have another strong team next season.
Josh Ortmann, above, was named the coach of the year for Section 8AAAA.
Team of the Year: Buffalo Bison. As we stated earlier the Bison started the season 15-1, was ranked as high as #5 in AAAA and advanced to the section semifinals of Section 8AAAA, but that doesn’t tell the whole story. Despite going 22-6 in the toughest conference in the state, the Bison did not have one player named to the Star Tribune all state team or even have an honorable mention, because this team relies on teamwork and everyone contributing. That’s not to say the Bison don’t have talent! They are loaded with it. Matthew Jordan is a high energy guard, Eli Hegle has one of the best shooting strokes in the state, Thomas Jordan is versatile both inside and outside, while Tony Jordan, Henry Bloomquist provide energy and defense. Next year the Bison return every key player except for Bloomquist, so next year this team should be just as good, and hopefully finally get the state recognition they deserve.
Josh Ortmann, above, talks to his team during a timeout during a game earlier this season. The Bison finished 22-6, and ranked in the Top 10 in Class AAAA.
