Edina at No. 2 Hopkins
7 p.m., Friday, Jan. 31

After losing 53-39 to No. 4 Minnetonka in its Lake Conference opener last Friday, Edina really needs a victory to avoid falling too far back in the conference race. But it doesn’t get any easier with No. 2 Hopkins, the three-time defending state Class 4A champions, on the schedule this week. Coach Matt Nilsen’s team graduated Miss Basketball finalist MC McGrory from last year’s 23-victory team, but did return Jill Morton (16.9 ppg) and brought up some terrific young post players in freshmen Annika Jank (10.7 ppg) and Bailey Helgren (5.8 ppg). They likely give the Hornets an edge inside against Hopkins — although surging Molly O’Toole (12.1 ppg) may have something to say about that. But the advantage in big-game experience certainly goes the way of the Royals.