The only teams that have beaten Minnehaha Academy, ranked No. 1 in Class 2A by Minnesota Basketball News, and No. 2-2A Minneapolis North this season are highly ranked Class 4A opponents or, in the case of the Polars, a team from out of the state.
While the result of this game will be the first Class 2A loss for one of these teams, the contest will serve as an important test for two defending state champions with big postseason plans.
Minneapolis North won back-to-back Class 1A state titles before moving up to Class 2A this season, and the Polars (10-3, 4-0) have adjusted to the move nicely. Senior Odell Wilson IV is leading the way from the post, averaging 19.9 points and 8.7 rebounds per game, while fellow senior Tayler Johnson is chipping in 17.8 ppg and 6.4 rpg.
Minneapolis North boasts the statistically higher-scoring offense in this matchup, having scored more than 90 points four times already this season. However, the Polars are going to have to earn their points in this matchup against a defense that has allowed more than 70 points just three times this season.
Much has been made of the Redhawks' extremely talented group of underclassmen, particularly sophomore Jalen Suggs, and rightly so. What could be most impressive from such a young group is its defensive cohesion and effort. Suggs is averaging 3 steals and 1.8 blocks per game, while 6-foot-9 freshman Chet Holmgren is averaging 1.8 blocks per game for a Minnehaha Academy team (13-2, 3-0) that has held nearly half (seven of 15) of its opponents to 50 or fewer points.
The perpetual battle of offense against defense, mixing with exceptional amounts of talent on the floor and bragging rights at the top of Class 2A, there is no question that this is our Top Game of the Week.