ESPN RISE

ESPN RISE takes a look at the teams to watch this month in this area:

Boys' Basketball -- Hopkins

Coach Ken Novak doesn't mince words when he talks about his team's expectations this season. "I think we're going to be expected to win it," he says. "The boys are pushing to win it, and the expectations are going to be there."With a number of Division I-caliber players on the roster this year, the expectations couldn't be much higher. Senior Arizona State recruit Trent Lockett can play anywhere on the floor but is a guard first. "He's gotten better every year,"Novak says. "He's a very well-rounded kid." Senior Mike Broghammer, who committed to Notre Dame, is a 6- foot-8 post player, but he can move to the perimeter if needed. "He's a tough, hard-working kid,"Novak says. "He runs the floor well and has great hands." Senior Royce Williams, one of the state's top prospects, transferred to Hopkins this year and will look to integrate into what is already a loaded team. "He's a talented kid who passes the ball extremely well,"Novak says. "It will be interesting to see how he fits in." Seniors Raymond Cowles, Moses Sundufu and Marcus Williams, junior D.J. Peterson and sophomore Marvin Singleton should all contribute this year as well. Novak will run an uptempo team again this year -- the Royals averaged 87 points per game last year -- and will be ready to face the state's best. "The target is on our back this year,"he says. "We know that. We are ready."

Girls' Basketball -- Ada-Borup

Against a very tough Barnum squad in last year's Class A state championship game, Ada-Borup's experience in the state tournament shone through. The three-time tourney qualifiers knew how to handle the pressure of the postseason, and it showed as the team earned a 51-40 win and a state title. This year, look for seniors Nicole Smart and Laura Kolness to keep the streak of tournaments alive -- and maybe start a streak of state titles as well.

Boys' Ice Hockey -- St. Thomas Academy

In 2006, St. Thomas and Marshall met in the state championship, and St. Thomas was victorious. In 2008, the two teams met again, with St. Thomas earning a 5-1 win. This season may produce a similar result, as a number of players are returning for the Cadets. Juniors Christian Isackson and Ryan Walters, who scored three of those five title-game goals, will help the team keep the pressure on the rest of Class A. Junior netminder Kurt Altrichter, one of the best in the state, also returns for the Cadets.

Girls' Ice Hockey -- Breck

In just one playoff game, a first-round 12-1 win over Austin, the Mustangs broke several scoring records. Unfortunately, the records didn't help them top Alexandria in the Class A state championship game. To make it back this year, the Mustangs will have to deliver a similarly stunning offensive display without the services of now-graduated Ellen Swiontkowski, but look for freshman Milica McMillen and senior Madison Styrbicki to lead the way for the Mustangs this season.

BREAK OUT TEAMS

BOYS' SWIMMING -- MOORHEAD
Junior David Flickinger holds the hopes of last year's fourth-place Class AA team.

GIRLS' SWIMMING -- MONTICELLO
It will take a terrific effort to top freshman Caley Oquist in the 200 IM this year.

BOYS' ALPINE SKIING -- WAYZATA
Look for senior Rob Woodworth to contend for a state title this year.

GIRLS' NORDIC SKIING -- SOUTHWEST
State runner-up Libby Ellis, a senior, has her sights set on the pursuit title.