On Feb. 11, HHS boys basketball traveled up highway 169 to Osseo in a showdown of top three teams.

The No. 2 Royals (22-1) came away with a hard fought 74-71 victory against the No. 3 Osseo Orioles (17-6).

The Royals offense was balanced, with five players in double figures, led by sophomore swingman Amir Coffey, and junior forward John Warren, with 17 points each.

Osseo’s approach was different, with senior guard Wheeler Baker, responsible for 36 of their 71 points. Only one other Oriole, Jordan Dembley, senior, scored in double digits with 16 points.

The Royals’ sixth man Noble Fahnbulleh, senior, provided 12 points off the bench and destroyed the Orioles on the offensive and defensive boards.

HHS led Osseo 74-68 with six seconds left in the game, Baker hit a half court three pointer as time expired, but the margin was too high to overcome.

Hopkins’ next game is Friday Feb. 14, versus the No. 9 Minnetonka Skippers at home. Previously, the Royals beat the Skippers 95-82 in a hostile Minnetonka gym. It will not be any different this time, as two teams that don’t love each other, battle it out on Valentine’s Day.

Expect the Royals to protect their home court, and walk away with their 18th straight victory.