Cass Lake-Bena at Red Lake
7:30 p.m., Friday, Dec. 4

Red Lake may be coming off back-to-back Class 1A state tournament appearances, but Northland Conference rival Cass Lake-Bena is the team opening the season ranked in the polls.

The Warriors are at the No. 10-1A Panthers in the first league matchup of the season. Red Lake won a share of the conference title last season while Cass Lake-Bena finished third, and the teams are expected to vie for the crown this season as they both bring back a wealth of talent.

That skill has shown early on this season with several players already making an impact.

Red Lake senior forward Jeremy Martin (19.4 ppg) is the team's top returning scorer while junior guard Rob Mclain (11.9 ppg) is another scoring option. Martin had 43 total points and Mclain had 36 in two Warriors' victories over the Panthers last season. 

Cass Lake-Bena brings back senior guard Alvin Wind, who averaged 21.9 ppg in his junior campaign.