Winona vs. Northfield
7:30 p.m., Friday, Feb. 17

Northfield’s depth has emerged in the second half of the season and is paying dividends.

The Raiders returned four of their starting five from last year, including leading scorers Grace Touchette (12.6 points per game) and Kaylyn Kidd (12.6 ppg), but their ascent to the top of the Big 9 Conference standings and the Class 3A rankings has due to the play of Annika Hoff, Emma Carlson, Rachel Kelly and Annalee Olson-Sola. 

If that depth continues performing at a high level, the Raiders (18-4, 15-3) will be headed toward their first league title since the 1978-79 season. It also bodes well as Northfield attempts to secure its first trip to the state tournament since the 2010. 

Winona has not won a conference title since 2000, but the Winhawks can move closer to nabbing the crown this season with a win on Friday. Winona (17-4, 15-3) moved into a tie with the Raiders atop the league standings after a 67-49 win over Mankato East on Feb. 11.

Eden Nibbelink, a Fairfield recruit and a 2017 Miss Basketball semifinalist, leads Winona at 15.6 ppg, while North Dakota State commit Danneka Voegeli averages 11.4 ppg.