The Hopkins Royals come will come into their big non-conference game against the number one-ranked Shakopee Sabers, according to MN Girls Basketball Hub, with a 17-2 record and the number two ranking in the state.

Hopkins enters the game on a two-game win streak following a loss to number four-ranked Minnetonka. They beat both Wayzata and Caledonia by a score of 74-36. They are led by forward Nia Hollie, senior. Hollie is averaging 15.8 points per game, along with 6.2 rebounds per game.

Shakopee is undefeated with a 17-0 record, with three of those wins coming against top-ten teams. They are led by senior guard and North Carolina commit, Taylor Koenen. She is 25th in the state in scoring, averaging 20.6 points per game. Forward Caleigh Rodning is second on the team in scoring, averaging 13.4 points per game.

Evelyn Knox, senior, says the team has prepared hard to stop Koenen and Shakopee.

“We focused on the little things,” Knox said. “We are focusing on Koenen.”

With both teams healthy, this game will be a battle of two forces. Hopkins comes in with a high scoring offense, averaging 74 points per game. On the other side, Shakopee relies on their smothering defense, only allowing 45 points per game.

The game is at 7 pm tonight at the Hopkins Lindbergh Center.