Prior Lake vs.

Lakeville North

7 p.m., Friday, Feb. 22

If there was ever any doubt that Prior Lake was more than a one-man show led by senior standout Dawson Garcia, that suspicion has been erased.

Garcia (27.5 ppg, 11.0 rpg) has been sidelined since Jan. 22 after suffering a stress fracture in his foot in a 77-68 loss to No. 5-4A Lakeville North. The No. 2-4A Lakers have won seven consecutive games without him.

Their recent run of success will be tested this week, with Garcia unlikely to return in time for Friday's rematch with the Panthers. The Lakers (19-2, 12-1) might also be without forward Carson Schoeller, who suffered a high ankle sprain late last week.

Lakers coach Bob Schweim can only shrug his shoulders. "Injuries have been non-stop," he said via email. "Not little ones either. Three weeks minimum for these kids. It's been cool to see guys step up, but now it's just ridiculous!"

Point guard Jackyse Jacox has missed six games, and Schoeller had already missed six before his latest injury while Garcia is at seven and counting.

Only two Lakers have played in all 21 games: starters Robert Jones (17.4 ppg) and Sam Nissen (14.5 ppg). 

Jones scored 13 points in the first game against Lakeville North, and the 6-10 senior is averaging nearly three blocks and 25 points per game in Garcia's absence.

"Robert Jones is playing at such a high level," Schweim said. "He was before, but now he is just dominant on both ends."

The Panthers (18-4, 13-1) stumbled three days after beating Prior Lake, losing at home to Lakeville South 69-66. But Lakeville North is back on track with six consecutive victories.

Tyler Wahl, who scored 22 in the victory over the Lakers, averages 18.7 points for the Panthers. Jack Rusch (12.8 ppg), Tommy Jensen (11.9 ppg) and Tate Staloch (10.2 ppg) are Lakeville North's other leading scorers.