Two section boys basketball titles were on the line in the Northland Friday.

In the Section 7A championship held at the Hibbing Memorial Building, Cherry defeated Mountain Iron-Buhl 99-55 to earn their third straight ticket to the state tournament. Cherry’s Noah Asuma led the game with 19 points, while Isaac Asuma and Noah Sundquist each scored 18 points. MiCaden Clines led the Rangers with 15 points.

“That was a big thing before the game, you guys have worked so hard and we’ve come so far and we got to just finish this off. So seeing how hard they work in the summer, and at practice every day, and at games and in the mornings, that’s my favorite part. You’re seeing the fruits of your labor,” Cherry head coach Jordan Christianson said.

Cherry will enter the state tournament with a 28-2 record on a 21 game winning streak. Mountain Iron-Buhl ends their season 24-6.

In the Section 7AA championship held at UMD’s Romano Gym, Pequot Lakes defeated Esko 55-42. Jacion Owens led Esko with 13 points, while the Patriots Brayden Spiczka led the game with 14 points.

Esko has now seen their season end at the hands of the Patriots for the fourth straight season. They finish their 2023-2024 slate with a 20-9 overall record.