The de facto championship game of the divided Camden Conference happens this Thursday, as No. 1-1A Minneota, the best team in the South Division, takes on the top team in the North Division, Lac qui Parle Valley. But this conference has been the Vikings' for quite some time.
Minneota (15-0) has gone 96-4 in its last 100 games and is the defending Class 1A state champion, winning it all in 2019 and reaching the state semifinals before last winter's tournament was halted due to COVID-19. Six of those victories in the last 100 games have come against Lac qui Parle Valley by an average margin of 67-49, including twice in the Class 1A, Section 3 semifinals.
The Vikings have been even more impressive this season, winning by an average margin of 68-36 in their 15 victories. Minneota returned its top two scorers from last year in senior Abby Hennen (17.4 ppg) and junior Natalee Rolbiecki (14.8 ppg) and both are again leading the way. Hennen was the Camden South MVP as a junior and an all-state selection.
Lac qui Parle Valley (12-2) returned four starters and two key reserves from last year's team, so the Eagles are experienced in front of first-year coach Dylan Erickson, which has led to this season's success. Senior guards Macie Lund and Alex Stitt, senior post Cassidie Olson and junior guard Addy Bonn are the returning starters, while key sophomores Camryn Lee and Taylor Shelstad both earned all-conference honors off the bench last year.