Elimination Game One: Napoleon/Gackle-Streeter 53, South Border 29
Napoleon/Gackle-Streeter used dominant second and third quarters to pull away from South Border and force a running clock to start the fourth quarter.
Paityn Bader kept the Mustangs competitive early, scoring seven points in the first quarter, but the Imperials took control after halftime. Dawson Erbele and Hope Gross fueled the surge for Napoleon, combining for 39 points to break the game open.
With the win, Napoleon/Gackle-Streeter advances to the Region 1 play-in game Monday. South Border was eliminated from postseason contention.
Elimination Game Two: Medina/Pingree-Buchanan 48, Ellendale 44
Medina/Pingree-Buchanan rallied from a slow start to earn a 48-44 comeback win over Ellendale, erasing an early deficit to keep its season alive for at least one more day.
The Thunder fell behind 15-4 after the first quarter but gradually worked their way back behind the scoring tandem of Ilaina Schmidt and Brenn Sorensen. The duo combined for 30 points, with Schmidt leading all scorers with 19.
After its strong opening quarter, Ellendale struggled to generate consistent offense. Hannah Moorehead provided a spark off the bench with 10 points, but the Cardinals were unable to find enough scoring down the stretch.
The fourth quarter was largely decided at the free-throw line, where Medina/Pingree-Buchanan did just enough to maintain its narrow lead and secure the upset victory.
With the win, Medina/Pingree-Buchanan advances to the second regional play-in game Monday. Ellendale was eliminated from postseason contention.
Semifinal One: LaMoure-Litchville/Marion 47, Edgeley-Kulm-Montpelier 39
LaMoure-Litchville/Marion survived a late surge from Edgeley-Kulm-Montpelier to earn a 47-39 win in the first semifinal, advancing to the District 2 championship game.
The Loboes appeared in control early, building a 28-16 halftime lead behind timely shooting from Addy Smith and Mia Van Eeden while the Rebels struggled to find an offensive rhythm. LaMoure-Litchville/Marion extended its advantage to 15 points early in the third quarter, but momentum quickly shifted.
Edgeley-Kulm-Montpelier responded with an 18-0 run, erasing the deficit and taking a 34-33 lead into the fourth quarter after completely flipping the flow of the game.
Norah DelaBarre provided the difference down the stretch. After scoring just two points through the first three quarters, DelaBarre poured in 11 points in the final frame and accounted for 13 of the Loboes’ final 15 points.
Jaley Bertsch tied the game at 39 with a 3-pointer for the Rebels, but LaMoure-Litchville/Marion pulled away late behind DelaBarre’s interior scoring and steady free-throw shooting.
With the win, the Loboes advance to the District 2 championship game. Edgeley-Kulm-Montpelier will move to the play-in round.
Semifinal Two: Linton-HMB 48, Kidder County 45
Linton-HMB relied on a stifling defensive effort to edge Kidder County 48-45 in a back-and-forth semifinal, holding the Wolves to just 16 second-half points to secure a spot in the District 2 championship game.
The Lions led 13-11 after the first quarter, with Brooklyn Schumacher scoring eight points as Kidder County struggled to generate consistent looks. Linton-HMB extended its advantage to 22-16 midway through the second quarter before the Wolves found a spark.
Taylor Zimmerman scored the final 13 points of the half for Kidder County, lifting the Wolves to a 29-22 lead at the break.
Kidder County opened the third quarter on a 7-0 run to push the margin to 36-26, but Linton-HMB responded with dominant defense. The Wolves were held scoreless over the final six minutes of the quarter as Bobbie Janczewski and Makiah Ryckman combined for 11 points, giving the Lions a 38-36 lead heading into the fourth.
The Lions also limited Zimmerman after halftime, holding the Wolves’ leading scorer to three second-half points.
Kidder County briefly regained the lead early in the fourth on a 3-pointer by Breanah Pfaff, but the Wolves continued to struggle offensively. Avery Vander Vorst drove inside for a go-ahead basket with under a minute remaining.
After a pair of missed free throws by Janczewski, Kidder County had one final chance with 3.6 seconds left, but an errant pass sailed over Zimmerman’s head to seal the win for Linton-HMB.
With the victory, Linton-HMB advances to the District 2 championship game against LaMoure-Litchville/Marion. Kidder County moves to the regional play-in game.