Eastview boys eager to rid last year's hurt

A host of South metro boys' basketball talent will be on display at Minnetonka High School on Saturday for the annual Breakdown Sports Tip Off Classic.

The 13-game slate features a swell of Division-I caliber talent. One of the highlights is the 3:15 p.m. tilt between Eastview and Benilde-St. Margaret's. The Lightning is back with a fury this season after being bounced from the Class 4A, Section 3 tournament by South Suburban Conference foe Lakeville South last March. Eastview will take on a Red Knights team stinging from its own hiccup. One of the top-ranked teams all last season -- and the preseason No. 1 in this year's Class 3A poll -- Benilde-St. Margaret's lost by a bucket in the Class 3A, Section 4 semifinals.

Histories aside, though, teams are hungry entering the new season.

"Guys are eager to get out there," Lightning coach Mark Gerber said. "With us, there has been a high amount of commitment in the weight room and conditioning by our guys. We have a lot of experience, depth and a strong defense. Those are our strongest assets right now."

Other teams in the Tip Off Classic include:

• Lakeville North vs. Champlin Park at 12:30 p.m.

• Prior Lake vs. Osseo at 1:45 p.m.

Depth in the poolRosemount is ranked No. 4 in the first Class 2A boys' swimming and diving coaches poll of the season. The Irish finished seventh at last year's state meet, but return a number of competitors from that team. The list includes all four members of Rosemount's runner-up 200-yard medley relay team (Braden McCormack, Jacob Stern, Luke Dowell and Conor Manning). Stern was also runner-up individually in the 100-yard breaststroke event.

Lakeville North was ranked No. 5 in the coaches poll while Prior Lake was ninth.