Entering this season, Friday's matchup between Hopkins and Minnetonka look as if it would be a contest between two of the state's best Class 4A teams.
A lot has changed since. The No. 1-4A Royals have held up their end, rolling opponents to start 2-0. Minnetonka — which was ranked No. 4 in Class 4A — lost its first two games during a brutal early season schedule, leaving the Skippers (1-2) to search for a change of course against a top-tier Lake Conference rival before they get lost at sea.
Minnetonka dropped out of the top 10 rankings after falling to No. 10-4A Maple Grove 63-45 in the season opener and a 73-63 defeat to No. 3-4A Lakeville North last week. The Skippers edged No. 7-4A Forest Lake 67-64 at the Breakdown Tip Off Classic over the weekend to bounce back. Senior guard Megan Walker has been a bright spot for the No. 13-4A Skippers (1-2). She scored 19 points in the loss to Maple Grove.
Minnetonka started last season in similar fashion, losing four of it's first five games before a turnaround helped propel the Skippers to the state tournament.
A year ago, the Royals went undefeated in the regular season and extended their run to 31 consecutive victories before a 64-60 defeat to Elk River in the state championship game.
That runner-up finish and the return of Paige Bueckers, Raena Suggs and Angie Hammond has made Hopkins (2-0) a heavy favorite to win it all this year. The trio, who were all named to the Class 4A all-tournament team, combined for 49 points in a 84-68 victory over No. 4-4A Centennial on Saturday.