Hopkins’ Ken Novak Jr. matching minds with Mark Klingsporn of Tartan. That’s 20 state tournament appearances and seven state titles combined between the two coaches in the last 20 years. Impressive.

This will also be one of those games where intensity and ball pressure defense will be at an all time high. Also, whenever there has been Mr. Basketball discussions the last 20 seasons there is always a Hopkins Royal or Tartan Titan senior discussed. But this year neither has a senior that’s that level of player. Both teams have very good seniors who are top 20, top 30 players in the state but no elite guy. However, the teams are still both top ten in Class AAAA, they both have great veteran coaches, and they will make this game one of the most intense of the entire season.

Xavier Hall vs Kamali Chambers: The two best ball pressure defenders in the state of Minnesota going at it. This might be the most intense battle of point guards trying to initiate the offense one may ever see. Whomever bothers the other the most will lead their team to the W.

Why Hopkins will win:

• Hopkins has more shooting with Jake Wright at the arc. If the junior sniper gets open looks he could make all the difference.
• Hopkins will be the deeper team by one, maybe two experienced and trusted bodies. In a game with this much defense the deeper bench will help tremendously.

Why Tartan will win:

• The Titans will be bigger in spots. Junior center Brody Jackson will be the biggest guy on the floor by three inches which should allow them a rebounding edge. Also, Hall has Chambers by three inches and the Titan wings have the length to contest the shots of Wright.
• Motivation. Tartan lost their top two scorers to transfer and the returning talent wants to show everyone they can get it done with the workers they have returning to the court.

Our Prediction: Hopkins