Lakville North vs.

Eden Prairie

7 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 21

There is early season chaos in Class 4A, with preseason favorites stumbling and dropping down the rankings, leaving plenty of space for newcomers at the top. To stay at the top, however, teams must prove their credentials or fall back. In our featured Top Game of the Week, surging Eden Prairie will take on steadily climbing Lakeville North.

The new No. 2 in Class 4A, according to Minnesota Basketball News, is Eden Prairie, jumping all the way from No. 8 last week. The Eagles are a perfect 5-0 on the season, including a dominant 71-48 win against highly-touted No. 1-2A Minnehaha Academy on Dec. 12. 

For the most part, the scoring for Eden Prairie has come from the sophomore trio of Austin Andrews (19.8 ppg), Drake Dobbs (19.8 ppg) and John Henry (11.8 ppg). The young Eagles also have the ability to smother teams on defense, as evidenced by keeping Minnehaha Academy to 48 points and Jalen Suggs to just 10 points.

However, Eden Prairie's defense has not been as consistent as Lakeville North's, so an off night on that end of the floor could result in the Eagles' first loss of the season. 

The Panthers' defense has allowed more than 64 points this season and have twice kept teams below 45. Lakeville North (4-1) does not have anyone scoring nearly 20 points per game, but the No. 7-4A Panthers do have five players that are averaging at least 10 points per game, led by junior Tyler Wahl with 16.8. 

Lakeville North has the upper hand in experience, fielding a team of juniors and seniors that went to last year's state tournament, which could prove pivotal in such a high profile game. If the Panthers can limit the impact of the young Eagles, Lakeville North has a good chance to perpetuate the chaos in Class 4A and send another top team toppling down the rankings.