Featuring a roster filled with experienced seniors, prolific scorers, and depth off the bench, the Apple Valley girls’ basketball team has put together a strong start in one of the state’s toughest conferences.

The Eagles have started their 2018-19 campaign with a 14-5 record and look forward to the home stretch of the conference season in the next several weeks. Four of Apple Valley’s five losses have come to teams ranked in the top ten in the state: #4 Farmington (46-53), #5 Eastview (61-63), #6 St. Michael-Albertville (65-69), and #10 Eden Prairie (42-45). The average margin of defeat in these games was only four points, and the Eagles will have a chance to face Eastview once more this season.

The Eagles currently sit in third place in the South Suburban Conference, behind only Farmington and 14-5 Shakopee. Senior forward Mykel Parham, a Creighton commit, credits the conference’s strength in preparing the team for postseason play: “We know what it’s like to be in those tough, close games, and when it gets to the postseason, I have no doubt we’ll be prepared.”

Apple Valley is led by strong production from both the front and backcourt. Parham holds down the post and represents a formidable scoring and rebounding presence. Junior forward Anna Mutch and senior guard Megan Baer (committed to Wisconsin- Eau Claire) are two of the Eagles’ top scorers. Overall, Parham believes that team cohesion and unity are major factors in their success: “We trust each other […] and you can see it in the way we play. […] We want it for each other as much as we want it for ourselves.”

The Eagles scored a huge victory on February 1, defeating Farmington 43-39. Apple Valley also looks forward to a rematch with Eastview on February 8. The Tigers, Eagles, and Lighting currently hold down three of the top four spots in the conference, and the February games will almost certainly impact section seedings.