Wayzata entered the girls basketball season with one of the deepest teams in the state.

The Trojans were hoping that depth would propel them to their second state tournament berth and a run at the Class 4A championship. Their only other state tournament appearance was in 2010.

"Our strength is our depth and our willingness to compete," Trojans coach Julie Stewart said before the season.

She has since lost her two most impactful players, senior guard Sophie Hawkinson and junior guard Kate Amelotte, to torn knee ligaments. Hawkinson was the most recent casualty, going down in the opening two minutes of a 76-70 victory Feb. 13 over Hopkins in a game for first place in the Lake Conference.

The injuries have thrust two of Wayzata's substitutes into the starting lineup to replace two Division I recruits.

"Sophie has had a stellar season. We are crushed about her injury," Stewart said of Hawkinson, who averaged 20.5 points per game and is committed to North Dakota State. "However, we believe in this team and they believe in each other."

The Trojans (22-4) are No. 3 in the Star Tribune's statewide Minnesota Top 25 rankings. Hopkins (21-5), which lost both regular-season meetings against Wayzata, is No. 4. They also both reside in Section 6.

The Trojans won their final three regular-season games following Hawkinson's injury, including over No. 11 St. Michael-Albertville (16-10) and No. 17 Minnehaha Academy (17-9).

Stewart lost Amelotte before the season began. She suffered her injury during the Trojans' run to the Class 3A state championship in soccer.

Sophomore Annika Kieser (11.3 points per game) replaced Amelotte in the starting lineup. Senior Lindsey Harvey will fill Hawkinson's void.

Wayzata's other three starters average double figures in scoring or nearly so. They are senior forwards Allie Berns (9.1) and Katie Kelzenberg (10.8) and sophomore guard Maren Day (10.6).

Three others coming off the bench — junior Ellie Howard, sophomore Kaja Nash and freshman Mallory McBeth — each add about five points a game.

"This group is special," Stewart said.