Top games: Perham prepares to duel Pequot Lakes in regular-season finale

By Mark Hvidsten, SportsEngine, 02/26/19, 11:00AM CST

March 1: The Yellowjackets look tournament ready, entering this week with a 21-game winning streak, but face a Patriots offense set to quell their rival's confidence.

Perham, which hasn't lost since Dec. 1, seeks its first state tournament berth since 2013. The Yellowjackets' regular-season finale against Pequot Lakes will provide a good benchmark before the playoffs begin. Photo by Earl J. Ebensteiner, SportsEngine

We task our reporters with identifying several intriguing games throughout the state to assemble our Top Games of the Week. The matchups are presented in no particular order, and when there are additional games we want to highlight, we’ll include them with brief notes.

Other games to keep an eye on

Waseca vs. Worthington, 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 28. Waseca snapped a 22-game winning streak with a loss at Marshall last week. The No. 2-3A Bluejays (23-1, 9-0) attempt to start another streak before the postseason against Class 3A, Section 2 foe Worthington (12-8, 6-5) in the regular-season finale.

Hopkins vs. Eden Prairie, 7 p.m. Friday, March 1. After a weeklong layoff, No. 1-4A Hopkins (22-3, 6-1) gets a tune-up for the section playoffs as it seeks its first state tournament berth since 2016. Eden Prairie (15-9, 3-4) lost its last contest against the Royals 78-71 on Feb. 8.

Austin vs. Mankato East, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 26. Austin (19-4, 17-2) can pretty much wrap up the Big 9 Conference championship with a victory at Mankato East (17-4, 14-3). The No. 3-3A Packers beat the No. 4-3A Cougars 71-59 on Feb. 14 in their first matchup of the season.