Mayer Lutheran at Annandale
7:30 p.m., Friday, Nov. 21

Mayer Lutheran seems to always put together good regular seasons but fails to break through to the state tournament. Last year was no exception. After a regular-season run took the Crusaders to the top of the Minnesota River Conference, Mayer Lutheran fell in the postseason opener last March. 

The Crusaders set out to end the trend this season, and their first game should be a tough one as they travel to Annandale.

The Cardinals were the Wight County Conference West champions and finished as the Class 2A state runner-up last year, falling to Esko in the championship. Annandale returns an accomplished scorer in senior forward Chase Knickerbocker, who averaged more than 17 points per game last season.