New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva 

vs. Waterville-Elysion-Morristown

7:15 p.m., Friday, Dec. 22

It may still be early in the season, but New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva seems intent on taking the Gopher Conference title away from Waterville-Elysian-Morristown. 

The Panthers (4-0, 2-0) have been rolling on offense, only winning a single game by less than 10 points. Benji Lundberg is averaging 21 points per game, a huge uptick from his 11.5 ppg last season. New Richland-H-E-G won last season's Class 2A consolation state tournament game, and the experience seems to be paying off in the early going this season. 

Waterville-Elysian-Morristown (2-3, 1-2) fell in the Class 2A, Section 2 tournament to Fairmont last season, a team that the Panthers beat en route to the state tournament. Tanner Ranslow (11.3 ppg last season) is the only returning top-three scorer for a young Buccaneers team that fields only four seniors.

If Waterville-Elysian-Morristown wants to hang onto the Gopher Conference title, a win against an experienced, rolling New Richland-H-E-G squad would be a massive step in the right direction.