Alexandria won the Central Lakes Conference while Willmar finished as runner-up the last two seasons.
The positions are switched entering this week, as Willmar (14-0, 7-0) has a one-game lead over Alexandria (10-3, 6-1) in the league standings and can gain some cushion with a win in this battle of the birds on Tuesday.
The teams split their two games last season, with the road team picking up a victory. If that trend continues, No. 6-3A Willmar may be looking at its first loss this season.
The western Cardinals have won their seven league games by an average of 13.3 points and have earned impressive nonconference wins, beating No. 5-2A Minnehaha Academy (56-47 on Dec. 28) and No. 9-3A Hutchinson (59-51 on Jan. 2) in back-to-back games. Cayle Hovland leads Willmar in scoring with 11.5 ppg this season.
Though No. 14-3A Alexandria is not undefeated, it's had an impressive season to date. These northwestern Cardinals have three losses in games decided by six points or less, including a 51-49 loss to No. 11-3A Fergus Falls on Dec. 12, its only conference loss this season. Senior Courtney Gould, who has led Alexandria offensively, finished with 14 points in the loss.