Park Center head coach Chris VanderHyde has led his team to three straight state tournaments. He's seeking another trip and will matchup with Champlin Park in a rematch of last year's Class 4A, Section 5 championship. Photo by John Molene, SportsEngine
Park Center head coach Chris VanderHyde has put together an impressive run through his first three seasons with three state tournament trips and two state titles, but this season he and the Pirates faced early-season adversity.
Park Center, ranked No. 9 in Class 4A by the Minnesota Basketball News, held just a 5-4 record through its first nine games. The Pirates have since turned that around by going 5-1 in their last six, including a 69-55 victory on Jan. 10 over No. 6-4A Centennial.
Park Center will try to continue its recent run through the rugged Northwest Suburban Conference in a rematch of last year’s Class 4A, Section 5 championship against Champlin Park.
The No. 15-4A Rebels have put together a similar run, going 8-1 in their last nine games, including a 65-49 win on Dec. 28 over No. 3-3A Orono.
These two teams could be heading toward another postseason clash with the way each has elevated its play recently. This matchup of perennial section title contenders make this our pick for the Top Game of the Week.
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