There's plenty on the line in the final regular-season game for Caledonia and La Crescent, especially if each keeps winning before this matchup. The Warriors are currently atop of the Three Rivers-East Conference, but only by a half-game over the Lancers and Rushford-Peterson. A win for either team could decide the conference title.
Caledonia (17-4, 6-1) came away with a 89-67 win over La Crescent on Jan. 30, and the No. 4-2A Warriors will be hoping for another strong performance from Noah King (17.9 ppg), who scored a game-high 25 points. Older brother and South Dakota State commit Owen King averages 20.8 ppg and is capable of stepping up in the big games: he scored 27 points in a narrow 79-75 loss to No. 2-2A Minnehaha Academy on Feb. 17.
La Crescent (12-10, 6-2) has had an up-and-down regular season, never winning or losing more than three games in a row. The Lancers have performed well in the conference, though, which has given them an opportunity to take home at least part of the conference title.
La Crescent's offense is led by Luke Schwartzhoff (13.5 ppg), Zach Todd (12.3 ppg) and Ben Nelson (11.3 ppg). The mix of talented youth — Schwartzhoff and Todd are sophomores — and the senior experience of Nelson should give the Lancers a real chance to defend their home floor and end the regular season with a win against a top-10 opponent.