Unsullied, Park Center stands alone in boys basketball Metro Top 10

The Pirates have won their first 12 games of the season in a convincing manner and are the only undefeated team in the boys basketball Metro Top 10.

January 24, 2023 at 1:19PM
Hopkins at Minnetonka on Friday, January 20, 2023. Photo by Cheryl A. Myers, SportsEngine
Minnetonka’s Ibrahim El-Amin looked to pass Friday against Hopkins in a matchup of Metro Top 10 teams. El-Amin also did some shooting, leading his team in scoring with 27 points in an 83-73 victory. (Cheryl A. Myers, Special to the Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Consistency is a constant theme among boys basketball coaches in and outside the Metro Top 10 as we near the final month of the regular season.

A few teams have been hampered by injuries while others have suffered puzzling setbacks and even endured stunning margins of defeat.

Unbeaten and No. 1 Park Center (12-0) has been an exception. The average margin of victory for coach James Ware's squad is 33 points, including a seven-point victory over No. 2 Lakeville North (10-2) and Monday's 100-80 defeat of Holy Family.

Wayzata (10-3), one of the hottest teams, climbed to No. 5. The Trojans have won 10 straight after dropping their first three games of the season.

Buffalo (12-1), its only setback coming against No. 6 Minnetonka (9-2), is pushing to get into the Metro Top 10.

This week's marquee matchup

Minnetonka at Wayzata, 7 p.m. Friday

The two teams atop the Lake Conference standings meet with first place on the line. Wayzata has won the past 15 meetings, the majority by double figures, between the two programs. Minnetonka's last victory in the series came on Jan. 16, 2015.

Boys basketball Metro Top 10

1. Park Center (11-0)

8. Orono (3A) (9-2)

9. Hopkins (11-3)

10. Maple Grove (11-2)

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Ron Haggstrom

Prep Sports Reporter

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Six players plus head coach Garrett Raboin and assistant coach Ben Gordon are from Minnesota. The tournament’s games will be televised starting Monday.

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