The Tomahawk Conference is as competitive as they come. The top three teams have won a combined 51 of 55 games with No. 7-1A Springfield sitting in third place in the league standings.
When No. 8-2A Minnesota Valley Lutheran and No. 6-1A New Ulm Cathedral play each other on Friday, the winner will take control in the conference race.
Minnesota Valley Lutheran (19-1, 12-1) won the first meeting between the teams, 72-64 on its home floor on Jan. 6. New Ulm Cathedral (18-1, 11-1), however, has two victories over Springfield and carries an advantage over the Chargers into Friday's contest.
"They will be out for revenge and the conference championship," Chargers coach Craig Morgan said. "If they win, it's theirs."
The Chargers have won their last two games against the Greyhounds, including last season's Class 1A, Section 2 semifinal. Now in Class 2A, the Chargers are looking to unseat Springfield as regular-season Tomahawk champions.
Seniors Jon Zinniel (21.4 points, 7.5 rebounds per game), Chris Knowles (14 points, 7.2 rebounds, 3 assists a game) and James Gillis (14.2 ppg) give the Greyhounds an experienced and talented core group.
The Chargers also are led by a trio of seniors. Dunwa Omot, who is starting to garner some recognition from Division II schools, averages 22.4 points and four assists per game. Jace Marotz produces 12.8 points and 5.5 rebounds, and Mason Cox provides 12.7 points and nine rebounds a game.