The Vikings were hit early-on with injuries that lingered on throughout the course of the season, forcing a handful of different lineups and playing strategies that brought challenges when it came to consistency.

“I’m proud that there was no quit in this team. You know, a long time ago, we were coming off back-to-back-to-back losses … It looked like we were just going to give up,” senior Easton Johnston said of the season. “But, we made a couple of changes and we had morale changes, and we just bounced back and were more of a team.”

Minneota started out the season winning two of its first 10 games. Yet, the Vikings got some momentum going about midway through the regular season when they picked up five victories over a seven-game stretch. Two of those wins came by one possession, showing resiliency when it came to closing out a game.

The Vikings avoided the play-in round of the Section 3A Section Tournament, earning the sixth-seed. Minneota ultimately fell to No. 3 Wabasso 81-60 in the North subsection quarterfinals to conclude its season.

Photo by Samantha Davis: Minneota senior Leo Hennen looks to ball the ball in the Section 3A North subsection quarterfinals on Feb. 28 against Wabasso in Montevideo.

“We went through a lot of different changes this year. Different lineups, different people playing, and I felt like they handled that well. Didn’t really cause any issues. Most kids, if things didn’t work their way, then they were cheerleaders on the bench and supporting us,” head coach Chad Johnston said regarding what he’s proud about of this year’s team. “I am extremely happy how they handled a lot of changes. I mean, you look at some of these teams, it’s the same starting five all year long. I said jokingly for three quarters of the year, I don’t know if we ever had a game where we had everybody on the roster in the book, so I’m happy how they stuck together as a team.”

Minneota finished the year 8-19 overall, which was a slight drop from its 11-16 run the season prior in 2024-25.

“There were definitely some rough parts,” senior Leo Hennen added about the season. “Like, we’re used to success with football and stuff, so I’m just proud of us for keeping our heads up.”

When it came to the roster, Minneota had talent in both its front and back court.

Some of the Vikings’ notable shooters came to be Ian Myhre, Tristen Sussner, Jase Sorensen, Landon Esping and Easton Johnston, while Hennen, Hunter Carstensen and Kyson Arndt helped manage the paint, all standing over 6-foot-2 or taller.

Photo by Samantha Davis: Minneota's Jase Sorensen goes up for a shot against Murray County Central on Dec. 27 in Marshall.

Arndt was sidelined come the postseason due to injury.

One of the most commendable aspects of this year’s team was the fight they showed for one another through the ups and downs as the season progressed, noted by Hennen and Easton Johnston.

“I think the heart is always there. You know, sometimes the outcomes aren’t there, sometimes we need more shots to go down, and sometimes we rush a little things,” Easton Johnston said. “But, there’s always a fight in us. Sometimes it turns out for the best, and sometimes we just fall a little short.”

“It’s tough, because we weren’t always winning, but I love my teammates and that’s what always makes it fun,” Hennen said. “I have always loved the sport, and the coaches make it great, too.”

Minneota graduates Hennen, Easton Johnston, Carstensen, Arndt and Emerson Johnson from this season.

Photo by Samantha Davis: Minneota's Ian Myhre brings the ball up the court against MACCRAY on Jan. 9 in Minneota.

“It’s been fun. To start, sophomore year, we were here and beat Dawson-Boyd [in Montevideo in the subsection semifinals in a 61-57 overtime upset], and that was a good time,” Easton Johnston said about the senior group. “You know, last year we were in the same spot, took on Wabasso and lost there, too. But, it’s been a great four years.”

“Some of them [the seniors] went from being starters this year to not being starters. Some of them went from barely coming off the court, to finding [themselves] in a little bit of a role-playing situation,” coach Johnston said. “They could have easily given up … But, they stayed positive. They continued to work hard, and they worked hard for the underclassmen, and it was extremely proper when they got an opportunity. They worked hard to do it.”