Park Center lost just two games all of last season, and one of those losses came in the Class 4A state tournament semifinals.
So, the No. 2-4A Pirates, who were beaten 62-57 by No. 5-4A East Ridge last weekend at the Breakdown Tip Off Classic, are likely to be in a testy mood when they open conference play Tuesday against rival Osseo.
Park Center (2-1, 0-0) lost a pair of guards to graduation, but 6-3 senior Josh Brown has taken the reins and is averaging 15 points per game. Brown joins returning starters Dain Dainja (22 ppg) and Detavious Frierson (13.3 ppg).
Osseo (1-1, 0-0) is led by Tariq Henry and a talented group of sophomores, including 6-5 James Spencer and Tyirece Waits, both of whom averaged 20 points per game as JV players last season.