The first big matchup of the boys' basketball season will take place Tuesday night when Henry Sibley goes to Hopkins. Defending 4A state champ Hopkins is ranked No. 1 and Henry Sibley, which also went to state last year, is No. 3

Hopkins is 4-0, with wins over three ranked teams. The Royals have defeated No. 7 3A Minneapolis Henry, No. 4 3A Columbia Heights, Maple Grove and No. 2 4A Tartan. Henry Sibley is 2-0 with wins over St. Paul Academy and Cloquet. Hopkins was undefeated last season and most fans expected the Royals to meet Henry Sibley in the state championship game. But the Warriors lost to Bloomington Jefferson in the state quarterfinals. Hopkins and Henry Sibley could meet again before the month ends. Both teams will play in the Best Buy holiday tournament at Augsburg College. The field also includes No. 2 3A St. Paul Johnson along with teams from Chicago and Milwaukee. In another good game Tuesday night, No. 4 5A Stillwater goes to St. Paul Johnson. John Millea is on Twitter at twitter.com/stribjohn