Believe it or not, this game between Lakeville North and Centennial is one of only two games in the Breakdown Tip-Off Classic that pits two teams from the same class. These two powerful Class AAAA programs will do battle in what should be a very competitive game.

Lakeville North is led by Illinois State signee Taylor Stewart and Simone Kolander. The Panther program has continually sent players on to play in college, but always reloads to field competitive teams.

Centennial returns five players who averaged between 7 and 12 points per game last year, including Jill Conrad and Paige Waytashek.

Taylor Stewart vs. Paige Waytashek
These two guards will both be headed to college programs on scholarship next year, but both have some unfinished business on their high school teams first. Stewart is at her best when she is driving to the basket, while Waytashek is a more gifted three-point shooter.

Why Lakeville North will win:

• Because the Panthers have the best player on the floor in Taylor Stewart, and whenever you have that, you have a chance to win.
• Transfer Lindsey Malecha from Waseca will come and make an immediate impact in the Lakeville North lineup.

Why Centennial will win:

• The Cougars balance makes the really hard to defend, because you don’t have just one or two players that you have to take away like most teams.
• They are able to bother Lakeville North with some full court pressure, using their barrage of athletic guards.

Our Prediction: Centennial