MINNEAPOLIS — The last of the winter sports state tournaments kicks off Tuesday, March 18, as boys basketball players from across Minnesota head to the Twin Cities to compete.
Four teams from rural Northern Minnesota won their section championships last week in their quest for the state title.
The first to play from the Northland is Section 7-2A champs Pequot Lakes, set to face No. 2 seeded Waseca at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Target Center. The Patriots were the consolation final winners last year and are on a six-game winning spree headed into the quarterfinals.
On Thursday, Class 1A teams will take the court.
No. 1 seeded Cherry is the defending state champion in Class 1A and will play No. 8 BOLD at 11 a.m. Thursday. Cherry’s only loss this season came to Section 8A champs Red Lake County, the No. 3 seed who will face No. 6 Goodhue at 5 p.m. Thursday. This is Red Lake County’s first state tourney appearance since 2017.
5A section champions Nevis got the No. 4 seed and will play Henning at 1 p.m. Thursday. Nevis placed third last year and defeated Henning earlier in the season.
All quarterfinals, consolation rounds and third-place games are scheduled to be streamed by NSPN.tv . Find the stream at nspn.tv .
All semifinal and championship games will be broadcast live by 45TV and shown via stream at prep45.com.
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And: Walz releases anti-fraud package after Trump administration announces Minnesota Medicaid cuts; Rachel Anthony murder still unsolved after 25 years; Staples-Motley are state wrestling champs.
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The Boys and Girls Club of Bemidji Area operates a branch at J.W. Smith. Families and staff are concerned about the future of the grant-funded program if the school closes.
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Darrin Smedsmo's vintage aircraft was impounded following an emergency landing within the Red Lake Nation in October 2025, and he is still waiting for a day in tribal court.
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After a lot of thought and consideration, Grand Rapids Riverfest will take a break this year. This pause reflects KAXE’s financial realities and the complexities of putting on an event of this scale.
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The package has 18 proposals, including prohibiting legislators from making direct appropriations to nonprofits and establishing a centralized Office of Inspector General.
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Events this week include a snowshoe hike in Chisholm, a People Powered Party celebrating a beer brewed in KAXE's honor, and a symphony orchestra showcase in Bemidji.
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The four teams will represent rural Northern Minnesota in the state tournament March 4-7, 2026, in the Twin Cities.
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The Cardinals' dominant run at the state tournament ended with another championship Feb. 26, 2026. United North Central's more mixed results resulted in a fifth-place finish.