Champlin Park might have a bit of a chip on its shoulder when it plays at Maple Grove on Wednesday night.
The Rebels (19-5, 12-0) fell out of the Class 4A top-10 rankings last week, despite extending their winning streak to seven games. And they return to the gym where their 2017-18 season ended with a bitter two-point loss to Osseo in the Class 4A, Section 5 playoffs.
On the plus side, Champlin Park plays Maple Grove on the one-year anniversary of an 81-45 victory over a Crimson squad that reached the state tournament. The since-graduated Josiah Strong had 23 points in that game and won't be there this time around. But Bennett Otto, the Rebels' do-it-all senior who scored 11 last year against Maple Grove, is back and playing better than ever.
Otto averages 17 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 2.7 steals per game. Jacob Johnson chips in 16.4 points and 2.7 assists per game.
Maple Grove (18-5, 11-3) might also carry a little baggage into this game. The Crimson had a nine-game win streak snapped on Saturday with a 65-58 loss to No. 3-4A Park Center.
The Crimson rely on Nate Adams (15.4 ppg), Jared Rainey (12.9 ppg, 5.6 apg, 4.8 rpg) and Kyle Dreyer (10.3 ppg) for offense.