We task our reporters with identifying several intriguing games throughout the state to assemble our Top Games of the Week. The matchups are presented in no particular order, and when there are additional games we want to highlight, we’ll include them with brief notes.

Mayer Lutheran vs. Mountain Iron-Buhl

1:30 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 26

With this being the final week of the regular season, many conference titles and section battles are taking place. This tilt between Mayer Lutheran and Mountain-Iron Buhl is not one of them. However, it's a meeting of top-five programs and a potential state tournament matchup.

Mayer Lutheran (21-3, 11-1) has already captured the Minnesota River Conference crown and looks to be in the mix for the top seed in Class 1A, Section 2 along with Sleepy Eye-St. Mary's, ranked No. 2 in Class 1A by Minnesota Basketball News on Feb. 16.

The No. 5-1A Crusaders continue to be a forced to be reckoned with. It starts with senior Emma Lade, who averages more than 20 points per game. Her sidekick is junior Madeline Guetzkow, who averages 11.5 points per game. They are a part of a solid returning group that lost just one player due to graduation from last season's team.

The Rangers (21-3) have jumped to No. 1 in Class 1A and are riding a six-game winning streak. They are a team that pushes the pace, averaging more than 84 points per game.

Guards Jordan Zubich and Sage Ganyo set the pace when it comes to Mountain Iron-Buhl's high-powered offense. Zubich, a sophomore, leads the Rangers with 26.2 points per game. Ganyo, a junior, averages nearly 16 points per game.

St. Paul Como Park vs. Becker

7:15 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 22

For the second consecutive week, we are talking about a program heading outstate to try and takedown Class 3A power Becker. This time, it's St. Paul Como Park in a top-three battle.

The Cougars (18-6, 5-0) sit at No. 3 in Class 3A and look to be in the mix at the state tournament in March as they have picked up key wins against the likes of DeLaSalle, Austin and Hill-Murray. All six of St. Paul Como Park's losses have come to Class 4A programs.

Ronnie Porter, a senior guard, helps lead the backcourt and has done so quite well, especially on offense. She's averaging a team-best 23 points per game.

The second half of that duo is senior guard Kaylynn Asberry. She's averaging 14.1 points per game.

No. 1-3A Becker's most recent metro challenger was No. 2-1A Holy Angels. The Bulldogs easily handled the Stars in a 78-59 victory.

The defending Class 3A champs continue to roll with a balanced attack as three players—Dani Nuest, Ayla Brown and Adeline Kent—all average at least 15 points per game.

Kent, a senior committed to the University of Tampa, averages 15 points per game but was dominant in the game against Holy Angels as she poured in 19 points in a winning effort.

Centennial vs. Maple Grove

7 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 22

Looking at the Northwest Suburban Conference standings, it's hard to believe that Centennial and Maple Grove struggled early on. But as the regular season wraps up and these conference rivals meet, things are going well for the both Crimson and Cougars.

Centennial (15-9, 14-3) opened the season at 3-8 with a six-game losing streak during that stretch. Results have certainly turned around for the Cougars, however, as they have gone 12-1 since. 

The lone loss in that stretch came to Maple Grove on Jan. 21 in a 48-46 defeat. The low-scoring nature of that game is on brand for Centennial, which averages under 60 points per game.

Camille Cummings, a senior guard, has led the way for the Cougars this season. She averages a team-best 17.4 points per game and tallied 14 in the first meeting with the Crimson.

Maple Grove, ranked No. 8 in Class 4A, holds a slight lead over Rogers when it comes to the Northwest Suburban crown. The Crimson sit at 20-4 overall and a perfect 16-0 conference record.

Maple Grove started the season with a three-game losing streak but has not lost since Dec. 21 when the Crimson lost 65-55 to St. Michael-Albertville. Both teams reside in Class 4A, Section 8 and certainly seem ready for a rematch come tournament time.

Guards Kyla Overskei and Kennedy Klick have been the catalysts for Maple Grove this season. Overskei, a senior, leads the way with 13.5 points per game. Klick isn't far behind at 12.4 points per game.

Stewartville vs. Kasson-Mantorville, 7:15 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 22. These two Hiawatha Valley League rivals meet up before the postseason in what could be a Class 3A, Section 1 semifinal matchup. Both teams are chasing Austin, the presumed top seed in the section.

Mankato East vs. Red Wing, 7:30 p.m., Friday, Feb. 25. The Cougars are looking to grab the Big 9 Conference title while also looking for their second win of the season against the Wingers.

Cass Lake-Bena vs. Fosston, 6 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 22. The Panthers currently sit at No. 6 in the latest Class 1A rankings and will look to keep the good times rolling as they go for their second consecutive trip to the state tournament.

The MN Girls' Basketball Hub poll is for entertainment purposes only.