Apple Valley's Steven Christiansen battles with a DeLaSalle's Jeffrey Daubanton for a rebound as Tre Jones (3) watches during the Eagles' 83-69 victory over the Islanders in the Breakdown Sports Tip Off Classic at Minnetonka High. Photo Brian Nelson
Apple Valley's play this season had many people assuming the Eagles, ranked No. 2 in Class 4A by Minnesota Basketball News, would run away with South Suburban Conference title, that was until a 73-30 league loss to Eastview on Feb. 6 shattered those preconceptions.
Apple Valley (20-2, 13-1) still remains atop the conference standings despite the defeat, but the loss gives Shakopee a sliver of a chance to capture the crown.
To finish as league champs, the No. 10-4A Sabers (16-6, 11-3) need to win all their remaining games - including a matchup with Apple Valley on Feb. 13 - and need two of their league foes to top the Eagles in the final two weeks.
The scenario seems almost impossible, but stranger things have happened in high school basketball.
Apple Valley can end all speculation and wrap up the league title with a victories over Burnsville on Feb. 10 and and Shakopee.
Despite all the dominos that have to fall for Shakopee to win the South Suburban, this matchup with Apple Valley - and the potential ripples a loss would cause - is our Top Game if the Week.
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