Marshall vs. Minneapolis Patrick Henry
Noon, Saturday, Dec. 10

After suffering dramatic season-ending losses last year, Marshall and Minneapolis Patrick Henry likely hit the grindstone this offseason and hope to use competition against an unfamiliar opponent as a springboard to even more success.

Patrick Henry reached the Class 3A, Section 6 championship game a season ago and led DeLaSalle with less than two minutes remaining. However, a late defensive stop swung the game in the Islanders’ favor and they recorded a 76-69 victory to advance to the state tournament.

The Patriots lost their top forward and guard from last season's 20-8 team but returns a wealth of talent in guards Savion Scott (11.4 points per game), Jordan Lynn (10.6 ppg) and forward Lamar Wood (9 ppg), who are key reasons Patrick Henry is ranked No. 4 in Class 3A by Minnesota Basketball News.

Marshall ended last season with a 25-4 record after falling to Waseca on a buzzer beater in quadruple overtime of the Class 3A, Section 2 championship.

Stingy defensive play has been paramount for the No. 5-3A Tigers, a team that held opponents to 43 ppg a season ago, and they should be solid again with the return of all but one player from last year.

Jacob Hess and Zach Bloemker comprise the backcourt while Mitchell Sueker anchors the inside for Marshall (0-0).