Maverick Conn is shooting nearly 50% from the three-point line, 6-5 Evan Hegland runs the floor like a deer and sparks an effective fastbreak, and point guard Landon Schirm has enough effective options that he rarely has to shoot the ball.
It’s a good time at Lac qui Parle Valley (13-0), which has dispatched all opponents but one by 10 or more points this season, helping the Eagles rise to No. 3 in the Class 1A rankings. On Saturday, the Eagles will play at Renville County West (10-2), a team they beat 60-54 on Feb. 16.
Lac qui Parle Valley coach Barry Besonen said his team will need to play better than it did in the first game to earn the regular-season sweep. “We didn’t shoot well,” he said. “And they forced some turnovers, which took away more possessions.”
With Conn, Hegland and Kaiden Allpress, the Eagles have a potent offense. The team averages 71.4 points a game and outscores opponents by more than 22 points per contest. It’s a group Besonen hopes can advance to the Class 1A, Section 3 final after falling in the semifinals the past two seasons.
Riley Ashburn had a team-best 16 points for the No. 9-1A Jaguars in their loss to Lac qui Parle Valley earlier this winter and teammate Tyler Froland had 12 points.