Minneota vs.

Russell-Tyler-Ruthton

7:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 1

Minneota has had a strong season, especially on the offensive side of the ball. The Vikings (14-1, 10-1) have scored at least 75 points in nine of their 15 games, led by Thomas Hennen and his 25.6 points per game.

With a three-game week at hand — and two of those being Camden South Conference contests — Minneota needs its offense to continue producing at a high level so the Vikings can win and keep pace with league-leading Russell-Tyler-Ruthton.

Led by Westin Kirk (18.7 ppg, 9.3 rpg) and Garrett Kern (15.6 ppg), the No. 3-1A Knights have been perfect this season, sprinting past almost all opponents. The only games that Russell-Tyler-Ruthton has won by fewer than 10 points have both come against Lakeview: a 71-69 win Dec. 12 and a 64-56 victory Jan. 25.

The defending Camden South champions will be looking to manufacture some distance between themselves and the second-place Vikings, but this game will also serve as a proving ground for the Knights' postseason ambitions.

Russell-Tyler-Ruthton lost out on the state tournament by one point last season, falling to Central Minnesota Christian 57-56. This season, fellow Class 1A, Section 3 competitor Minneota defeated Central Minnesota Christian by nearly 30 points, so a victory over the Vikings would give the Knights (16-0, 11-0) plenty of momentum as the section tournament draws closer.