Chaska at Orono
7:15 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 11

Orono begins this season trying to build off a fourth-place finish in last year's state Class 3A tournament, and the Spartans seem to be fielding another quality team.

No. 9-3A Orono (4-1) has won four of its first five games but winning a fifth could be challenge as the Spartans will be playing up a class when they host Chaska on Dec. 11.

Senior guard Cole Hennings is averaging 19.6 points per game for coach Barry Wohler's Spartans.

The Hawks may have a 2-3 record, but they could be trending upward after earning a big 68-60 win over reigning state Class 4A champion Lakeville North on Dec. 5.

Jacob Hansen leads Chaska with his 22.0 points-per-game average. Myles Hanson (12.6 ppg) and Alex Strazzanti (10.0 ppg) have also been contributing double-digit scoring.

Chaska edged Orono 64-58 last December.