Rare battle of reigning champs opens girls' basketball state tournament

Defending champion Hopkins drew the top seed in the Class 4A girls' basketball state tournament next week in Minneapolis.

The Royals, winners of four of the past five Class 4A championships, open quarterfinal play Tuesday morning against Park Center, which won the past two Class 3A state titles before moving up to 4A this season.

In Class 3A, Hutchinson drew the top seed and begins play on Tuesday evening. Seeding and pairings for Class 2A will be completed after the last section final is completed. Class 1A had not been announced as of late Saturday morning.

Class 4A

Tuesday, Target Center

#1 Hopkins (27-2) vs. Park Center (21-7), 10 a.m.

#4 Eastview (24-4) vs. #5 Lakeville North (24-5), noon

#3 Minnetonka (24-4) vs. Anoka (22-7), 4 p.m.

Class 3A

Tuesday, Target Center

#1 Hutchinson (23-5) vs. Thief River Falls, 6 p.m.

#4 Marshall (23-6) vs. #5 Holy Angels (22-5), 8 p.m.

#2 Winona (23-6) vs. Grand Rapids (22-7), 10 a.m.

#3 St. Paul Como Park (24-5) vs. Becker (19-9), noon

Wednesday's games also include all four Class 2A quarterfinals at Mariucci Arena.

Thursday's games include four Class1A quarterfinals at Mariucci and the Class 4A and 3A semifinals at Williams Arena.