Cherry Tigers roll past Deer River to claim back-to-back Section 7A titles; Esko falls in Section 7AA championship

A ticket to the state tournament was on the line as the section 7A boys basketball championship tipped off at Romano Gym on Friday night, as the Cherry Tigers and Deer River Warriors battled it out.

The Tigers took control of the game from the beginning and never let go of the brakes, even as the Warriors inched their way behind them. The Tigers rolled in heavy in the second half and never looked back going on to win 85-61 and claiming their second straight section title.

“They’ve been laser-focused, you know it’s been a long season. It’s always dark, and it’s always cold, but these guys have been focused throughout the whole entire process. They just want to get a state title, and that’s what we’re going for,” said Head Coach Jordan Christianson.

Junior Isaac Asuma shared that the team had a collective goal since day one. “We’re all clicking like we don’t want this season to end. We all just had a goal in mind to win the state since the first practice, and we all want to succeed in that.”

The state tournament starts on Tuesday, March 21st. Click here to get a look at the bracket.

Also, in section 7AA boys’ basketball, No. 2 Esko falls to No. Pequot Lakes 77-59.