FARGO, N.D. – The top-seeded Valley City Hi-Liners were pushed to their limit but ultimately held off a determined Northern Cass squad, securing a 55-47 victory in the Girls 1A Regional Championship.

The game was a physical battle from the start, with both teams exchanging hard-fought possessions. Dacota Potratz led Valley City early with six first-quarter points, but Northern Cass’ Carly Rider matched her effort to help the Jaguars take a 15-13 lead after one.

The second quarter followed a similar script, as Valley City leaned on Katie Burchill, who went 4-for-5 from the free-throw line and led the team with 12 points at the break. However, Northern Cass’ tenacious defense kept the Hi-Liners from pulling away. A late three-pointer by Rider and two free throws from Faith Fyre gave the Jaguars a narrow 28-27 halftime lead.

Rider remained the spark for Northern Cass in the third, hitting another three-pointer and adding a basket, while Haidyn Crockett, held to just three first-half points, began to find her rhythm, going 4-for-4 at the stripe. Valley City stayed within striking distance behind Potratz and Burchill, who accounted for all 11 of the Hi-Liners’ third-quarter points. Northern Cass entered the final period clinging to a one-point lead.

The Jaguars’ upset bid ran out of steam in the fourth, as they managed just two field goals in the final frame. Burchill took over down the stretch, finishing with a game-high 29 points. Senior Greta Goven helped seal the win at the free-throw line, and after a missed three-pointer by Rider, the Hi-Liners ran out the clock to clinch the Region One title and an automatic berth in the state tournament.

The final state tournament bracket will be determined after the State Qualifiers on Saturday, March 1.

Kindred Tops Wahpeton 53-38, Advances to State Qualifier

The Kindred Vikings secured a 53-38 victory over Wahpeton and will face the loser of the Carrington vs. Devils Lake Region 2 Championship in a state qualifier.

Wahpeton’s hopes of an upset took a major blow late in the first quarter when standout Scout Woods exited with a leg injury. Despite missing their top player, the Huskies managed to keep the game within reach, never being outscored by more than six points in any quarter.

However, Kindred’s Liza Trenbeath proved too much to handle, leading all scorers with 24 points to propel the Vikings to victory.