The script has flipped for Dassel-Cokato this season. After going 4-20 last year, including 1-13 in conference play, the Chargers (11-4, 4-1) have a winning record and are in second place in the Wright County Conference West Division.
After losing its first league game last Friday in a 50-49 defeat at Litchfield, Dassel-Cokato will be looking to get back on the winning track against division leader Annandale and need a victory to keep the Cardinals within reach.
The Chargers boast four players who average double-digit points: Trever Kaiser (19.5 ppg), Alex Terning (13.7 ppg), Isaac Morris (12.2 ppg) and Sanders Asplin (10.8 ppg). To break through Annandale's staunch defense, Dassel-Cokato needs at least one of its offensive leaders to have an excellent game.
Annandale has allowed more than 60 points only once this season, a 65-61 win against New London-Spicer on Jan. 5. If the No. 10-2A Cardinals are going to survive a busy week, one beginning with a game against Hopkins on Monday, a contest with New London-Spicer on Friday and ending with St. Cloud Cathedral on Saturday, their defense is going to have to be at its very best.
Offensively, a pair of senior forwards spearhead Annandale's attack: AJ Hinz averages 17.7 ppg, while Nick Bieniek scores 16.3 ppg. Despite having only two players averaging double-digit points, the Cardinals (11-2, 6-0) are capable of putting up plenty of points to supplement their excellent defense. Every Annandale player averages at least 2 points per game, giving the Cardinals a respectable average of 63.9 points per contest.