Holiday tournaments usually produce great matchups and provide a good indication of the top teams in the Twin Cities. That wasn't the case in 2022.
Schedule says intensity's rising for the boys basketball Metro Top 10
The conference season adds importance for teams seeking to be champions.
January 2, 2023 at 8:56PM
![Eden Prairie wing Max Lorenson (1) attempts a shot over Farmington forward Connor Todd (23) in the second half Friday, Dec. 16, 2022 at Farmington High School in Farmington, Minn. ]](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/BSVTQQZ4C223CDPSJLDO2C4I6I.jpg?&w=712)
Class 4A defending state champion Park Center, No. 1 in the Metro Top 10, didn't play over the holidays, and Class 3A defending state champion Totino-Grace, No. 3 in the Metro Top 10, split two games in South Dakota against a couple of national powers. No. 6 Orono and No. 9 DeLaSalle also played in South Dakota.
No. 2 Lakeville North and No. 4 Eden Prairie saw little resistance in their own four-team invitationals. State champions will be crowned in three months, so look for the intensity to start ramping up.
This week's marquee matchup
Hopkins at Eden Prairie, 7 p.m. Friday
With the new year upon us it's time to warm up to conference play. In a conference opener, No. 4 Eden Prairie hosts No. 7 Hopkins in a matchup of perennial Lake powers.
Boys basketball Metro Top 10
1. Park Center (5-0)
2. Lakeville North (6-1)
3. Totino-Grace (3A) (3-2)
4. Eden Prairie (5-1)
5. Benilde-St. Margaret's (3A) (6-0)
6. Orono (3A) (5-1)
7. Hopkins (9-1)
8. Eastview (4-2)
9. DeLaSalle (3A) (5-3)
10. Wayzata (4-3)
Six players plus head coach Garrett Raboin and assistant coach Ben Gordon are from Minnesota. The tournament’s games will be televised starting Monday.
