The Lyle-Pacelli and Hayfield girls basketball teams will square off in the Section 1A title game at 6 p.m. Friday night at Mayo Civic Center in Rochester.

Both squads are senior-heavy, battle tested and hungry to get back into the Minnesota Class A State Girls Basketball Tournament. Hayfield (25-4 overall) last played in the state tournament in 2008 and LP (28-1 overall) last played in the state tournament in 2015.

The Athletics have been ranked No. 1 in Class A throughout most of the season and their only loss was to Crestwood, Iowa, which won the Iowa Class AAA state title last week. LP beat Hayfield 66-49 in Hayfield Dec. 28.

“Our group is really focused on finishing what we started. We understand Hayfield is a fantastically talented group and so are we. It should be fun,” LP head coach Justin Morris said. “It’s unfortunate this game is taking place at Mayo Civic Center when it should be taking place at Target Center in a state semifinal or state final. The team that is more mentally tough and engaged for 36 minutes will win.”

Hayfield relies a lot on the three-point shot and a pressing, aggressive defense. LP is also aggressive on defense, but it’s offense runs through Minnesota State University commit Kristi Fett, who at 6-5, is more than happy to kick it out to shooters like Brooke Walter, Kendal Truckenmiller and Abby Bollingberg if she faces too much pressure. LP junior Olivia Christianson has also provided solid play in the paint this season.

Hayfield co-head coach Kasey Krekling knows the Vikings will have to contain Fett if they want to have a chance at winning.

“Our team feels that we can play much better than we did when L-P beat us earlier in the season,” Krekling said. “In watching that film we shot poorly, didn’t help quick enough on the inside against Fett, and gave up way too many offensive rebounds.  Those will be the three keys to our success on Friday night.”

Hayfield has had many different players step up this season and that will be focus point for L-P. While seniors Carrie Rutledge and Maggie Streightiff have played well in postseason, seniors Maggie Streightiff and Kate Kruger have been big factors all season as well.

“They are a really tough team to guard because they shoot it so well,” Morris said. “You look at when they shoot the ball well they don’t get beat. We need to do a good job of challenging shots and being discipline in our scouting reports. We need to understand their personnel. Which kids are knock down shooters? Which kids are hard drive kids? Which kids like to shoot it off the bounce and which kids don’t. Understanding the individual strengths and weaknesses is key.”

The winner of Friday’s game will be playing in Williams Arena in the Class A state quarterfinals March 15.