Team Name: Madison Memorial Spartans
Head Coach: Steve Collins, 15th year
Current Record: 15-1 (Through Jan. 28)
Ranked: No. 4 among Division 1 teams by WBCA/WisSports.net
Top Players: Senior Jester Weah (6-4) leads Memorial in scoring at 12.7 ppg and recently gave a verbal commitment to play for coach Paul Chryst and the football program at Pittsburgh … Senior point guard Julian Walters (5-11) contributes 11.7 ppg for the Spartans while junior forward Tyler Lindquist (6-6) adds 8.8 ppg … Junior Darrlyn Willis (6-7) has been playing well of late and contributes 7.6 ppp … Senior guard Brendan Ortiz (6-1), a four-year varsity performer, remains day-to-day while recovering from an injury.
Notes: Memorial has won nine straight titles in the Big Eight Conference and currently sits atop of the 10-team league with a 12-0 league mark … Collins had guided Memorial to nine straight appearances in the WIAA State Tournament and state titles in 2005, 2009 and 2011. 

Team Name: Apple Valley Eagles
Head Coach: Zach Goring
Current Record: 14-1 (Through Jan. 28)
Ranked: No. 2 among 4A schools by Minnesota Basketball News
Notes: The Eagles came into the year as the preseason number one and outside of a 72-70 loss to Park Center they’ve taken care of business on a regular basis. Apple Valley has played five games with out the nation’s best point guard and they won all five including victories over Hopkins and Osseo. With Jones the Eagles have also defeated St. Louis Park, Minnetonka, Robbinsdale Cooper, Lakeville North, and Prior Lake. At 15-1 the Eagles are definitely a state title contender and their tough schedule will have them battle tested in March.
Tyus Jones is the known name and at 21 points, six assists, and four rebounds a night he’s taking care of business. But in his absence senior shooter Dustin Fronk has stepped up huge with 17 points a game making big shots to allow his team to beat a pair of top five teams. Fronk has made himself into a Mr. Basketball contender with his work.
The Eagles are a deep and talented team. Dennis Austin is a do it all workhorse putting up 12.7 points and 7.3 rebounds a contest and 6-foot-8 freshman Brock Bertram leads the team with eight rebounds a night plus scores ten points per. Harry Sonie is a fifth double figure scorer as the combo guard opposite Tyus Jones and shooter Robert Tobroxen has stepped up in support.