Basketball is backup plan if prep hockey doesn't suit you

Maybe you're a prep sports fan and you don't like hockey. In that case, in addition to inquiries about your legitimacy as a Minnesotan (Don't like hockey? Huh?), you have plenty of options to satisfy your thirst for competition.

Much of the state will be fixated on the boys' hockey state tournament, which runs Wednesday through Saturday at the Xcel Energy Center. Our coverage of boys' hockey begins Tuesday with the Star Tribune All-Metro team and Metro Player of the Year.

For those whose preference leans toward roundball, there is a huge slate of girls' and boys' postseason basketball ahead.

Fans of the girls' game will be thrilled and frustrated at the same time Thursday. Twelve section finals involving metro-area teams will take place that night, meaning there is bound to be a matchup that appeals to everyone. The problem is that few will be able to see more than one. Only the games in Section 1 of Classes 3A and 4A will be played at the same site on the same night.

Here's a rundown of Thursday's busy night of girls' basketball finals involving metro teams (all games 7 p.m. unless noted).

Section 1: Lakeville North vs. Roch. Mayo (at Mayo Civic Center)

Section 2: Edina vs. Minnetonka (at Hopkins)

Section 4: White Bear Lake vs. East Ridge (at Hastings)

Section 5: Centennial vs. Park Center (at Anoka)

Section 6: Wayzata vs. Hopkins (at Minneapolis. Roosevelt)

Section 8: Moorhead vs. Elk River (at Monticello)

Section 1: Northfield vs. Winona (at Mayo Civic Center), 6 p.m.

Section 4: DeLaSalle vs. St. Anthony (at St. Paul Washington)

Section 5: Willmar vs. Zimmerman (at Buffalo)