Fargo, ND (NewsDakota.com) – For the first time in 30 years the #7 Oakes Tornadoes are headed to the State Tournament after beating the #6 Midway-Minto Mustangs by a final score of 47-45.

The game started out back and forth with neither team able to truly pull away as Midway-Minto would lead by only 14-11 after the first quarter due to a couple big treys. Oakes would then outscore MM 13-6 in the second to take a 24-20 lead into the locker rooms at half.

The Tornadoes would then fumble the ball away several times in a row to allow MM back into the game early in the 3rd. The Mustangs and Tornadoes would then trade the lead several times before Oakes took a 36-33 lead into the 4th. The Mustangs would take a lead early on by only one in the quarter and the score would remain close the entire way through. Roddek Schmitt would get a late lay-up with the and one to make it 46-45. Oakes would then lock it down on defense and Beau Thorpe would go 1/2 from the line with 3 seconds left. A heave down to court from the Mustangs would go off the back-iron and out giving the Tornadoes the 47-45 victory.

Midway-Minto’s season comes to a close with a 22-4 record. Oakes will play at the State Tournament on Thursday in Minot.