LISBON, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) For the first time in 20 years, the Lisbon High girls basketball team is playing for a chance to go to the State Class B Tournament; which will be held in Minot late next week.

The Broncos suit up against the Vikings from Kindred High at the Sanford Health Athletic Complex at North Dakota State University in Fargo in the Class B Region I Championship game Friday night. Kindred has been quite the thorn in the side of Lisbon through the years, so a win tomorrow would exercise some addition demons.

“It has been almost (20 years) since we have beat Kindred, and we are excited to have another chance.” said Lisbon Head Coach Barb Sweet. “We played fairly well against them at the beginning of January and had chances to win the game, but made some key mistakes in the crucial last minute of the game; and with the athletes they have they were able to capitalize on those mistakes to push us to overtime.”

Lisbon (18-4) hasn’t lost since that January 4 meeting at Kindred. The Broncos are victors of their last 13 consecutive, and are coming off a seven point victory over Central Cass Tuesday, to make it to the Championship round.

“I think we are better than we were the first time we played (Kindred).” added Sweet. “The girls told me Wednesday that they needed the Tuesday game to keep them in the here and now – a sort of reality check – something that I was glad to hear them realize on their own, and a definite sign of how far we have come.”

Sweet notes this year’s Vikings (18-4), who haven’t lost a regional game this season, are a no holds barred kind of club when they don’t have possession of the basketball.

“Kindred plays defense with wild abandon and absolutely no fear, and it definitely wreaks havoc.” noted Sweet. “If we can control the tempo and keep Abigail Duchscherer in check, we have a chance to come out ahead.”

The Broncos and Vikings take the floor at roughly 7:30 Friday night, with coverage on 1031. FM The Raven and NewsDakota.com starting around 7:15 p.m.