Rogers at No. 8-3A Monticello
7:15 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 30

Both teams need a victory to stay close to St. Michael-Albertville in the Mississippi 8 Conference standings. Monticello has qualified for state each of the last two years, led by superstar guard Grace Sawatzke (16.0 ppg). She’s still around to run the show for the Magic along with Alyssa Lentner (10.1 ppg) and Gabby Laimer (9.4 ppg), but the backcourt trio picked up help in the paint with the transfer of post Emily Gruber (12.7 ppg) from nearby Big Lake. The Magic now have the inside-outside game to compete for a Class 3A state title this winter. Rogers has great balance, as the Royals returned four of their five starters from last year’s 18-victory team, including Lindsay Dorr (13.9 ppg), Taylor Anderson (10.6 ppg) and Taylor Paulsrud (6.8 ppg). The Royals have won three straight since falling at St. Michael-Albertville on Jan. 20.