The Centennial and Osseo girls’ basketball teams have played a combined 19 games against Northwest Suburban Conference teams without a loss.

That will change on Friday. Osseo, (14-2 overall, 10-0 NWSC), ranked No. 6 in the state poll, travels to No. 9 Centennial (11-3, 9-0) for a showdown beginning at 7 p.m. Bragging rights, an early lead toward a conference title and seeding for Class 4A, Section 5 are all at stake.

Both teams emphasize good teamwork to get the most out of talented and deep rosters. Osseo is the favorite based on ranking but both teams are playing good basketball of late. The Orioles are on a seven-game winning streak while Centennial is 11-1 since starting the season 0-2.

“I feel we are building and getting better every day,” Osseo coach Joey Waters wrote in an email. “This is another milestone in what has been a great season.”

Forward Phillis Webb paces the Orioles in scoring (15.9 points per game) and rebounding and can be penciled in nightly for a double-double. Gophers recruit Mikayla Bailey, known for her defensive contributions, is adding 10.3 points per game. Teammates Janay Morton, Voneisha Harris, Cy'erra Mills and Paige Olson must help carry out Waters’ game plan of “36 minutes of solid defense” to beat Centennial.

Cougars coach Jill Becken is wary of Osseo’s presence in the paint. She said Centennial must keep Osseo “off the offense boards and clear defensive rebounds.” Those tasks will primarily fall to Danika Gieske, Paige Waytashek and Maggie Haug.

While Gieske (18.4 points per game) and Kahla Becken (16.6) are the team’s offensive leaders, Waytashek (7.2), Kristen Nordby (3.4) are capable of hitting shots. And Kayla Bilderback and Brooke Schutta provide good energy and defensive presence.

Jill Becken said Bilderback “usually guards the toughest perimeter player on the other team.”