As the only two teams with victories in the Lake Conference, Hopkins and Eden Prairie have the early lead in a race for the league title, and Friday's matchup could be decisive in the eventual conference championship. This game will also be a test of postseason merit for both after each missed a trip to the state tournament last season.
Hopkins (14-1, 2-0) hasn't lost since falling to No. 1-4A Cretin-Derham Hall 86-73 on opening night. There have been some close calls since, but in general, the No. 2-4A Royals have been rolling, including a 93-75 drubbing of No. 1-2A Minnehaha Academy on Dec. 23.
Junior forward Zeke Nnaji (19.3 ppg) leads a balanced offense that includes three other players averaging double-digit points: senior Anthony Davis (16.5 ppg) and the sophomore duo of Blaise Beauchamp (13.8 ppg) and Kerwin Walton (11.6 ppg).
Eden Prairie (11-1, 2-0) boasts a similarly balanced offense, also with four players scoring in double figures. Sophomore Drake Dobbs leads the No. 4-4A Eagles with 18.7 ppg, followed by fellow sophomores Austin Andrews (16.7 ppg), John Henry (13.6 ppg) and Connor Christensen (12.8 ppg).
Eden Prairie has not lost since a Dec. 21 defeat to No. 3-4A Lakeville North (86-80), and if the young Eagles can extend their winning streak to eight this week against New Prague and Hopkins, visions of postseason success could begin to seem more and more realistic.