One loss — a 56-48 final on Dec. 13 against defending Class 4A champion Eastview — isn't a bad way for St. Michael-Albertville to roll into a week where No. 1-4A Hopkins is on the schedule.
The No. 5-4A Knights (5-1, 0-0) hung tough with No. 3-4A Eastview, and will have their work cut out for them on Friday when they visit Hopkins' Lindbergh Center. To win, their offense will need to operate on all cylinders, with scoring leaders Kenzie Kramer (15.7 ppg), Jadyn Hanson (11 ppg) and Tessa Johnson (10.5 ppg) shouldering the load.
Hopkins has handled a difficult schedule to date perfectly, cruising to double-digit wins against three top-10 opponents within a week — a 22-point win over No. 6-4A Stillwater on Nov. 24, a 42-point win over No. 10-4A Lakeville North on Nov. 27 and a 27-point win over No. 3-4A Eastview on Dec. 1.
The Royals (8-0, 0-0) will lean on Paige Bueckers, who's averaging 25.8 ppg, to continue their offense's domination.