After reaching the Class 4A state tournament last year, White Bear Lake started the season as a ranked team but dropped out of the top 10 after losses to No. 10-4A Lakeville North and No. 4-4A Eastview.

The Bears (2-2) have fired back with big wins over No. 6-4A Centennial and Rochester John Marshall. Alison Hinck, who averaged 15.3 ppg last season, is back and leading White Bear Lake once again.

Hill-Murray (0-1) dropped its season opener to No. 5-4A Edina 50-36. The Pioneers need to fill the scoring shoes of Lindsey Malecha and Olivia Graskewicz, who combined to average more than 35 points per game last year, if they want to get back to the state tournament.