Sota HS Sports

As we wrap up this year and enter the next, here are the games I'm watching: Thursday, Jan. 2nd Anoka @ Champlin Park The crosstown rivals meet up early this season in what will be arguably each team's biggest test so far. Curious to see how Seniors Peyton Podany and Tyler Wagner match up against one another.  Friday, Jan. 3rd Eagan @ Apple Valley 5-1 Eagan faceoff against a 6-0 Apple Valley team that seems to be dominant for the first time since the Jones brothers.  Hopkins @ Orono The undefeated 4A team of Hopkins has already been more battle-tested than any other team in the state this year. They head over to face a tough and disciplined Orono Squad.  Totino-Grace @ Cretin Derham Hall The Holy War is back as the Eagles head to CDH on Friday. TG has had the slowest start to their year since the pandemic, but have a great opportunity ahead of them. Cretin has a big size advantage, so to me as long as they can win on the glass they win this game. 

It's the holiday season, and that means lots of events are going on. One of those is one of the best traditions in MN high school basketball: the Granite City Classic. I took a deeper dive into what games I'm planning on watching these next two days.  Friday, Dec. 27th  Champlin Park vs. Sauk Rapids-Rice You couldn't really ask for a better game to wrap up night 1 of the GCC. In this top 5 matchup in Minnesota's top class prepare to see a clash between two juggernauts early in the season.  Saturday, Dec. 28th Albany vs. Dawson-Boyd #1 2A practically host a home gave versus #2 1A DB. This one has small-town ball potential written all over it. I'm especially looking forward to how senior forward Sam Hondl steps up to lead the Huskies in a big game.  Fridley vs. St. Cloud Apollo It's not often you see an outstate team that is equally as athletic as a team from the cities. I imagine this will be a fun, high-scoring game to watch.