Sauk Centre at Melrose
6:30 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 5

Melrose recently knocked off No. 4-2A St. Cloud Cathedral to remain unbeaten and assert itself as the potential top seed in Class 2A, Section 6, but to strengthen their case, the Dutchmen must pass another tough test in the form of Sauk Centre.

Melrose (8-0, 1-0) used a strong shooting performance, particularly from the free-throw line, to defeat the Crusaders, and it looks to continue the trend into Thursday's game.

Dillon Haider hit 14 of 14 from the free-throw line against St. Cloud Cathedral, while the Dutchmen finished 23-for-25.

Sauk Centre's only defeat came to St. Cloud Cathedral on Dec. 13. Since the 78-65 loss, the Mainstreeters (7-1) have held opponents to 54 or fewer points while winning four straight games. 

Tanner Reiland and Cade Neubert, the No. 4 and No. 5 leading scorers from last year, are helping lead Sauk Centre's offense.