No. 9-4A Centennial (1-1) rebounded nicely after losing its season opener to No. 8-4A White Bear Lake 64-49 on Dec. 4 by beating St. Paul Central 49-27 on Dec. 6. The Cougars are led by senior guard Jaycie Gerding (17.5 points per game), who scored 21 against the Minutemen.

 

Park Center (2-0) is the defending state Class 3A champion and currently the top-ranked team in the class. The Pirates rely on a balanced scoring attack and have five players averaging 11.5 ppg or more, led by sophomore forward Mikayla Hayes (15.0 ppg). 

 

The teams split their two last year, with Centennial winning the first game 83-66 and Park Center taking the second game 72-62. That split helped the Cougars finish first in the Northwest Suburban Conference last season, just ahead of the second-place Pirates.