Each of the next two top games feature conference rematches from earlier this season between top contenders. First up is the Metro East Conference, where Hill-Murray (10-1) hosts Mahtomedi (10-1) Tuesday night.
The only conference loss between the two programs this winter is the result of their first head-to-head meeting. The host Zephyrs lost to the No. 3-3A Pioneers 64-58 back on Jan. 26, as the trio of Lilli Mackley (20 points), Ella Runyon (19 points), and Bella Hartzel (12 points) carried Hill-Murray to victory.
All three were named honorable mention all-state last winter and have continued to play at a high level, averaging between 14.5 and 18.2 ppg each. Runyon, the team's leading returning scorer and rebounder, has hit double figures in scoring in all but one game this winter, while Hartzel poured in a season-high 41 points in a 83-31 victory at North St. Paul on Feb. 5.
Mahtomedi junior guard Zoie Centers led the Zephyrs in scoring with 19 points in the loss to Hill-Murray, with Minnesota Duluth commit Ella Hronski (11 points) and Zoey Washington (11 points) also hitting double-figure scoring.
The Zephyrs have won seven straight games since that defeat, including a sweep of Simley.