Orono at Delano
7 p.m., Thursday Feb. 19

Orono has been one of the top teams all season in Class 3A, and its only loss was a 61-55 setback to No. 4-4A Minnetonka on Jan. 13. 

The No. 1 Spartans (21-1, 6-0) have rebounded nicely, rattling off seven straight wins and hanging on to first place in the Wright County Conference East Division standings. Senior guard Kiera Nelson (14.4 ppg) and sophomore guard Tori Andrew (13.4 ppg) lead Orono in scoring. 

To remain in first place requires a win against a reeling Delano squad, which is coming off a 70-39 loss to New Prague on Feb. 13. The No. 8-3A Tigers (14-7, 2-4), who are third in the division standings, are led by senior forwards Alex Wittinger (15.5 ppg) and Bria Barfnecht (13.7 ppg), while senior guard Brooke Lemke (12.8 ppg) gives Delano a scoring option in the backcourt. 

The Tigers gave the Spartans one of their closest games of the season behind Wittinger’s game-high 20 points in a 61-58 loss on Jan. 27.