Like every other team in Class 2A, New London-Spicer is familiar with Sauk Centre's dominance. On Thursday, New London-Spicer will make the 40-minute trip north, hoping a win can help further establish the No. 5-2A Wildcats as a contender.
Sure, New London-Spicer (5-0, 1-0) has also had its share of recent success. The Wildcats won at least 20 games in each of the past five seasons, and they clinched the Class 2A, Section 3 tourney hardware in 2016 and 2017.
This season, the Wildcats feature a smothering defense that's held opposing teams to less than 35 points per game. And offensively, junior center Erin Knisley has proven difficult to stop. She scored 25 points on Dec. 5 in a 75-39 win against Paynesville Area.
But New London-Spicer's biggest test to date comes against No. 3-2A Sauk Centre, a team to watch out for again.
In 2017-18, the Mainstreeters went 33-0 en route to a Class 2A state title. Last season, they won 26 games before falling to Albany in a Class 2A, Section 6 semifinal.
Sauk Centre (2-1, 0-0) had a wild start this season, as the Mainstreeters lost a three-overtime battle on Nov. 23 to No. 7-2A Minnehaha Academy 89-86. Tori Peschel paced the Mainstreeters with 35 points against the Redhawks. The senior guard recently became the school's career rebounding leader.