Rosemount vs. Farmington

7 p.m., Thursday, March 4

Before last season's state tournament was shuttered prior to championship round due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Farmington was slated to meet Hopkins in the Class 4A finale — and seemed to have a real shot at ending the Royals' unbeaten streak. Almost a year later, that streak is still alive for Hopkins, and Farmington again appears to be the top challenger to end it.

But before the playoffs begin, there's some unfinished business in the regular season for the No. 2-4A Tigers, as they host No. 9-4A Rosemount with a chance to essentially clinch the South Suburban Conference title. 

The second-place Irish (11-2) hosted the first meeting between these teams back on Jan. 29, but Farmington's lock-down defense held Rosemount to its lowest offensive output of the season in a 52-29 Tigers' win. Nicole O'Neil and Ivory Finley led the Irish with nine points, while Maleah Scott, Paige Kindseth, and Rose Wille each scored 11 points for Farmington. Rosemount did limit star Tigers' center Sophie Hart to just eight points, only the second time this season the potential Miss Basketball candidate has been held to single-figure scoring.

Hart, who has committed to North Carolina State, is one of three Tigers (13-0) players who averages 13 points or more per game, along with Peyton Blandin (13.8 ppg) and Kindseth (13.3 ppg) as part of a balanced offense.

Rosemount also has a balanced offensive attack, with all five starters averaging at least seven points per game and only Tayah Leenderts (11.4 ppg) in double-figures. Leenderts and rugged Helen Staley gives the Irish a good defensive presence to battle Hart, although both give up four inches to the 6-foot-4 Hart.