Paige Bueckers takes it to the hoop for Hopkins in March 2020 against Wayzata in the section final. (Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Arguably the best basketball game in the state is going down on Thursday night, and you can watch it right here on startribune.com.
The state tournament will always be the site of the most important games of the season. The “best” game, though? It might be this one: Hopkins vs. Wayzata in the Section 6 girls final, for the seventh year in a row, with a ticket to the tourney on the line. The rivals go it again at 7 p.m. Thursday.
This section final more than once over the years has been referred to as the unofficial state championship game. Maple Grove, No. 2 in the latest Star Tribune Minnesota Top 25, isn’t hearing that this year, but Wayzata (23-4) and Hopkins (23-5) are ranked 3, 4, respectively.
The Royals completely own this rivalry, winning all six of the previous section finals. All of them in Hopkins. And that’s where the list of twists begins.
For more on the rivalry, click here to read the story on startribune.com.