The Prior Lake boys basketball team has its sights set on the state tournament.

With 6-foot-10 junior Dawson Garcia and 6-10 senior Robert Jones back, the Lakers have a formidable front court, one of the best in the South Suburban Conference and in Section 2AAAA.

"Our goal is to win the conference, the section, which is brutal, and make a state run," Lakers coach Bob Schweim said. "There are five or six other teams that are very capable of winning the title this year. We are definitely in the mix and should start the year in the top five [in the Class 4A state rankings] along with Eden Prairie, Eastridge, Park Center, Hopkins and Lakeville North.

"We have and extremely difficult schedule in December and I really have no idea what to expect," Schweim added. "And no one else does either because we all play each other in showcases and regular season games early."

Prior Lake finished last season with a 22-6 overall mark (14-4 in the SSC). The Lakers were in the section semifinals for the fifth time in the last seven years, but the team is still seeking its first finals appearance since becoming a Class 4A program at the start of the 2003-04 campaign.

Prior Lake won back-to-back Class AA state championships in 1977 and 1978 and was also a state participant in 1976.

The 22 wins for the Lakers were the most in season as a Class 4A program. Prior Lake finished 20-7 in the 2005-06 season and was 19-8 in the 2012-13 school year.

Prior Lake opens this season Dec. 1 in the Big 12 Classic at Cretin-Derham Hall High School, taking on Park Center at 2:30 p.m.

The Lakers' first four games are on the road, including at Chaska Dec. 6 in a battle of section foes at 7 p.m. against East Ridge Dec. 8 in the Tip Off Classic at Hopkins High School at 5:30 p.m. and at section-foe Minnetonka Dec. 14 at 7 p.m.

Prior Lake opens the SSC season at home to Shakopee, also a section foe, Dec. 15 at 7 p.m.

Apple Valley is the defending SSC champion, but the Eagles were hit hard by graduation, losing all-state guard Tre Jones to Duke University. Lakeville North and the Lakers look to be the SSC favorites.

Last year, Garcia led the Lakers in scoring averaging 21.4 points per game. Jones, one of the best shot blockers in the state, who will play Division I next year at the Denver University, averaged 13.5 points.

Senior guard Sam Nissen also averaged in double figures last year at 11.9 points. He'll be joined in the backcourt by senior Jackyse Jacox. Senior Colin O'Connor will also get time in the guard rotation, while 6-9 senior Carson Schoeller provides more size up front.

Junior Tyree Ihenacho is a transfer from Burnsville and is also expected to be in the mix in the backcourt.

"Our strength is our defense and our running game," Schweim said. "Most would think that having Garcia and Jones inside that offense is our power, but the defense truly sparks what we do.

"Jackyse is a special player," Schweim added. "He'll front everything we do on both ends of the court."

Eden Prairie is the defending Section 2AAAA champion, losing in the third-place game at state last year to Lakeville North. Chaska won the section title in 2017, while Eden Prairie also won it 2016 and Shakopee claimed the crown in 2015.

Chanhassen, Edina, Bloomington Jefferson are also in the field. Edina has beaten the Lakers in the section semifinals the last two years.