Orono and Eastview are two teams that would normally not get together for a girls basketball game.  Orono is a Class AAA school in the mostly outstate Wright County Conference, while Eastview is a perennial Class
AAAA power in the Metro Area and is in the new South Suburban Conference.  But that doesn't mean they can't meet up in the Breakdown Sports Tip Off Classic.

Orono is led by junior guard Amie Tunheim and returns four of its top five scorers from last season. The Spartans are looking to improve on their 20-8 mark from last year and challenge defending state champion
Benilde St. Margaret’s for a state tournament birth out of Section 6AAA. The Spartans are led by first-year head coach Ellen Wiese, who has shown a knack for getting the most out of her players during the last few summer seasons.

Eastview looks to be in a bit of a rebuilding year after losing its trio of talented guards (Rice, Thomforde, Cullers) to graduation. However, it’s been said that a program like Eastview doesn’t rebuild, it only reloads. Eastview will be led by Alex Beckman, whose length and quickness on the perimeter make her a tough matchup.

Amie Tunheim vs Alex Beckman:
These two guards are both tall and long, but that is about where the similarities end. Beckman is a great perimeter defender who uses her length to cut off passing lanes and is a slasher on the offensive end. Tunheim is a lights out three point shooter with NBA-type range, and
is able to use her strong frame to be an outstanding rebounder.

Why Orono will win:
Amie Tunheim will get hot from behind the arc and Eastview will not have an answer.  The Spartans' scrappy style of play going after rebounds and loose balls will lead to extra possessions.

Why Eastview will win:
The Lightning's superior size in the post will be too much for Orono both on offense and defense.  They will wear Orono down with their depth.

Our prediction: Eastview