Hopkins and Osseo to battle for State title

It'll be top-ranked Hopkins versus Osseo for the Class AAAA title on Saturday in the finals of the Minnesota State Basketball Tournament as both teams survived their semifinal matchups on Thursday, while Minneapolis Washburn downed St. Paul Johnson in a cross-town matchup to earn a berth in the Class AAA championship game. Hopkins eased by St. Cloud Tech on Thursday, winning by a scant 19 points, 55-36. Third-seeded Osseo nipped Bloomington Jefferson, 59-51, earning the right to attempt a Hopkins upset on Saturday. The two Class AAAA squads will take to the court at Target Center in the final boys basketball game of the 2008-09 season at 8 p.m. By that time, Washburn hopes to have raised its Class AAA championship trophy as the Millers take on Mankato West at 6 p.m. Saturday.