St. Croix Lutheran at DeLaSalle
7 p.m., Friday, Jan. 30

St. Croix Lutheran faces the toughest team on its schedule when the Crusaders travel to DeLaSalle in a Tri-Metro cross-divisional game on Jan 30. 

No. 7-2A St. Croix Lutheran (16-1, 3-0) has just one loss on the season, falling to No. 6-3A St. Thomas Academy 70-53 on Nov. 25, but it's safe to say that the Crusaders haven't played a team with the talent level of the Islanders, who are the top-ranked team in Class 3A. 

DeLaSalle (11-2, 4-0) lost to North Scott (Iowa) 67-64 and to No. 2-4A Apple Valley 83-69 in back-to-back games in early December. The Islanders have not lost since and are on a 10-game winning streak that includes a victory over No. 7-4A Eden Prairie (66-58) on Jan. 13.

Senior forward Sacar Anim (26.0 ppg) paces DeLaSalle, while senior guard and Minnesota commit Jarvis Johnson is the team’s second scoring (14.5 ppg).

The Crusaders haven’t come close to defeating the Islanders in their last two meetings, losing 84-48 last year and 80-36 two years ago. 

St. Croix Lutheran coach Jay Wendland appears to have a team that could change the trend with a trio of quality juniors in the Crusaders' offensive arsenal, led by forward Trenton Krueger, who averages 16.9 ppg. Guards Ade Lamu (15.5 ppg) and Aage Rovney (14.0 ppg) are the other top scorers.