On Thursday, top-seeded Duluth Denfeld boy’s basketball took on #2 Hibbing for the chance to make it to the Class AAA basketball tournament.

The Hunters lead going into the second half, with all-time leading scorer Marnaries Ferguson leading the helm. Hibbing would hold on as long as they could, but Denfeld’s offense would prove too much for the Bluejackets.

Hibbing ends their season with a 19-10 record. The Hunters would find themselves with their first state berth in 21 years, winning 75-52.

“From day one we talked about this and to see the guys put in the work and be able to accomplish it, it’s great to see. Every day we come and practice and we look on the wall and see that 2004 and we tell each other that this is going to be the year that 2025 is going out there. So it’s great to see the guys listen to that and make it happen,” said Phillip Homere , Denfeld boy’s basketball head coach.

“It feels great. It means a lot to me. I dreamed of it. I put the grind, I put the time in and it paid off,” said senior guard Marnaries Ferguson.

Duluth Denfeld currently hosts a 20-9 record, and will make their way to the State Class AAA quarterfinal round on March 18th at Williams Arena in Minneapolis.

To view the Class AAA tournament bracket, click here.