No. 1 Apple Valley at No. 5 Lakeville North
7 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 18
MN Basketball Hub Spotlight Game

Since losing to Chicago’s Whitney Young in an ESPN-televised showdown on Dec. 12, Apple Valley has won 18 straight games, most by massive margins. The defending state champion Eagles look like the class of the state again, led by Duke-bound point guard Tyus Jones (26.6 ppg), who some argue is the best prospect to ever come out of the state. But let’s not forget that Tuesday’s opponent (Lakeville North) is a powerful team in its own right and features the best pure shooter in the state in Xavier commit J.P. Macura (32.6 ppg). Apple Valley handed North its only South Suburban Conference loss of the year in their first meeting, 102-74 on Jan. 14. Jones used that game to showcase his talents, exploding for 41 points (on 16-of-21 shooting), eight assists, six rebounds and three steals. Macura was held to a season-low 13 points. He’s scored at least 20 in every other game this winter.