NL-S Wildcats defeat East Grand Forks 57-53, they will face HL-W-W in state semi-finals - Lakers defeat Pipestone-Jasper 42-37

At the Class AA state tournament, the Section 6AA champion NL-S Wildcats faced the East Grand Forks Green Wave (28-2). It is the 14th time NL-S has advanced to "state" since their first trip in 1985.

With only a few minutes left in the first half, NL-S trailed by a big 25-15 margin, with the outlook being bleak.

(EGF entered the game averaging 78 points a game on offense. Uuf Da!)

Fueled mainly by a stronger defensive effort, the Wildcats went on a 10-1 run to tie the game at 26-all at halftime.

Into the second half, the Wildcats fell behind 38-34.

They then trailed 49-40 later in the second half before going on a huge run that brought NL-S the victory. Key free throws and a three-pointer by Dammerman to make it 49-45 fueled the comeback.

Final score: NL-S 57, EGF 53. Wow is all I can say.

The NL-S Wildcats are now 30-1, the best-ever girls basketball record at NL-S.

In the late quarterfinal game at Williams Arena on Wednesday night, Central Minnesota Conference team Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted defeated Pipestone-Jasper 42-37 to advance to the semi-final round. It is the first time in HL-W-W history that the Lakers girls basketball team has advanced to a State Final Four.