DeLaSalle vs. Holy Angels

7 p.m., Friday, Jan. 31

Holy Angels returned two of its top three players from last season's Class 3A state tournament team. So it was assumed the Stars would be a contender to repeat as Class 3A, Section 3 champions this season.

The Stars (10-5, 1-0) will have to play better to make this season’s state tournament dreams come true, as Holy Angels is just 1-5 against teams with winning records. The Stars have lost to Blake (78-63 on Dec. 3), Bloomington Kennedy (67-64 on Dec. 10), No. 6-3A Waconia (73-57 on Dec. 28), Richfield (65-59 on Jan. 24) and fellow section contender St. Croix Lutheran (74-65 on Jan. 21).

This week could be pivotal to the Stars, who play host to Columbia Heights on Tuesday, before playing No. 3-3A DeLaSalle on Friday.

Senior forward Matt Banovetz (19.7 points and 9.4 rebounds per game) and sophomore guard Emmett Johnson (14.9 points and 4.3 assists a game) have continued to play at a high level for Holy Angels. Junior forward Bryce Boyd averages 13 points a game, but no other player averages more than seven points.

DeLaSalle (11-2, 2-0), meanwhile, has victories over No. 2-2A Waseca (65-49 on Nov. 30), No. 2-3A Mankato East (67-63 on Dec. 7), No. 5-4A Hopkins (64-46 on Jan. 10) and a 17-point victory over St. Croix Lutheran on Jan. 16.

Senior guard Jalen Travis (18 ppg) and junior guard Cade Haskins (17.3 ppg) lead the Islanders.