No. 7-3A Monticello at No. 8-3A Chisago Lakes
7:15 p.m., Friday, Feb. 7
With top-10 status and back-to-back state tournament appearances, these teams are likely favorites from their respective sections to get back to the state tournament in March. It could be a tourney preview, although both had the misfortune of running into DeLaSalle in last year’s event. The Islanders knocked out Chisago Lakes in the quarterfinals, then dumped Monticello in the semifinals en route to their third straight championship. But while DeLaSalle graduated its stars, both Monticello and Chisago Lakes returned much of their state tourney teams. The Stars have a great inside-outside combination of post Emily Gruber (12.8 ppg) and guard Grace Sawatzke (15.8 ppg). The 5-foot-11 Gruber, a transfer from nearby Big Lake, will be tested inside by 6-foot-5 lefty Bryanna Fernstrom (25.1 ppg), an Iowa State recruit.