Full disclosure: When the Star Tribune staff puts together features previewing winter sports, there are basic pieces of information – top returning players, previous state tournament appearances, competition outside of high school – that help shape what we think will happen.

That said, now that we're several weeks into the winter action, and through some challenging holiday tournaments that featured some great matchups, it's time to take another quick look at some of the top winter sports to see how some teams stack up heading into the bulk of conference play and eventually the postseason.

In the Best Buy Holiday Classic last season, St. Paul Johnson took down Hopkins 86-78, boosting the Governors' reputation at the time as perhaps the best team in the state, regardless of class.

Things are different this year. Looking at the tournament lineup, many expected the two powers to clash again, but the Governors were defeated in the semifinals by Chicago Hyde Park.

When Hopkins faced the Illinois team, however, it looked stronger than ever in a 101-53 drubbing. Joe Coleman had his third 30-plus-point game of the season, and four others (Marvin Singleton, Demetrius Martin, Andre McDonald and Nicholas Jorgensen) scored in double digits.

"Joe and Marvin are pretty tough guys," Hopkins coach Ken Novak Jr. said. "They're the type of guys that are going to do pretty well, no matter what."

The 8-0 Royals appear to only be improving as they pursue their third consecutive Class 4A title, though challenges from undefeated Tartan and one-loss Osseo (among others) could be forthcoming. Likewise Johnson still seems like the team to beat in 3A, but Columbia Heights, DeLaSalle and Benilde-St. Margaret's are lurking among metro area teams as well.
 

Take a look at a the picks from our other top winter sports to see which teams are ready for a run at the postseason.

Boys hockey

Girls hockey

Girls basketball