Two of the state's best Class A programs get together to open action on the Lindbergh Center's old high school court Saturday morning as No. 4A Parkers Prairie faces No. 8A Isle.

Panthers' coach John Noga has had some terrific teams in his 26 years of coaching at Parkers Prairie and this looks like one of the finest, as the top six players are back from a 24-victory team, many of whom were also part of the Panthers’ state tournament berth two years ago. All-Staters Madison Dorn and Micaela Noga are a great 1-2 scoring punch, as they combined for more than 37 points a game last winter. Noga is just a sophomore, but will surpass 1,000 career points this year, a sign of her terrific all-around game. Dorn is the biggest Panther at 5-foot-11 and led the team in rebounding. Senior guard Kaylee Dorn also scored in double-figures last season.

Isle is also a veteran team which returns four starters and seven of its top eight players from last year’s 24-victory team. While there isn’t much room on the varsity, the Huskies’ JV lost just one game, so the program has plenty of depth, as well. The Huskies are very quick and balanced, as three returners scored in double figures (Maja Coomes at 13.4 ppg, Lindsey Lahr at 13.1 ppg and Amber Zimpel at 10 ppg) and another just missed (Jordan Haggberg at 8.7 ppg).

Micaela Noga, Parkers Prairie vs.
Lindsay Lahr, Isle
Both teams have great depth across the starting lineup, but one place to watch will be in the backcourt as Micaela Noga and Lindsay Lahr may go head-to-head as two of the best players on the floor.
Noga has a good all-around game, as she can hit a trey, pull up or drive to the rim. She is also great defender which will be important in guarding Lahr, a three-year starter who can push the ball up court or fill it up from the wing.  She is very quick and is an excellent defender, but what makes her dangerous is her all-around game and versatility to play and defend a number of positions. 

Why Parkers Prairie will win:

• Madison Dorn will prove to be too big a factor in the paint for Isle, which is mainly led by its guards.
• Micaela Noga takes another step forward as a sophomore and becomes the dominant player her sister Sari was in high school before joining the University of Minnesota.

Why Isle will win:

• The backcourt duo of Lindsay Lahr and Maja Coomes gets hot from the perimeter and makes the Panthers come out to guard them.
• Isle's veteran team isn't fazed by the hoopla surrounding the early-season showdown and comes ready to play.

Our prediction: Parkers Prairie