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2026 Section 8A Boys Basketball tournament seeds and schedule announced

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The 2026 Section 8A Boys Basketball tournament seeds and schedule have been released and the seeds are below.

WEST SUBSECTION
1. Fertile-Beltami
2. Red Lake County
3. Stephen-Argyle
4. Sacred Heart
5. Northern Freeze
6. Kittson County Central
7. Goodridge/Grygla
8. Warren-Alvarado-Oslo
9. Badger/Greenbush-Middle River
10. Climax-Fisher

EAST SUB-SECTION
1. Mahnomen/Waubun
2. Red Lake
3. Win-E-Mac
4. Bagley
5. Northome/Kelliher
6. Fosston
7. Clearbrook-Gonvick
8. Lake of the Woods
9. Blackduck

SECTION 8A Play-in – Monday, March 2 at the high seed
WEST –
#9 BGMR at #8 Warren-Alvarado-Oslo
#10 Climax-Fisher at #7 Goodridge/Grygla

EAST-
#9 Blackduck at Lake of the Woods

FIRST ROUND – Thursday, March 5  at UMC
6:00 PM – BGMR/WAO winner vs #1 Fertile-Beltrami
7:30 PM – #4 Sacred Heart vs #5 Northern Freeze

FIRST ROUND – Thursday, March 5 at NCTC
6:00 PM – #3 Red Lake County vs GG/Climax-Fisher winner
7:30 PM – #3 Stephen-Argyle vs #6 Kittson County Central

EAST (at high seeds at 7:00 p.m.)
LOW/Blackduck at #1 Mahnomen/Waubun (at Waubun)
#5 Northome/Kelliher at #4 Bagley
#6 Fosston at #3 Win-E-Mac at 6:00 PM
#7 Clearbrook-Gonvick at #2 Red Lake 

QUARTERFINALS – Saturday, March 7 at Ralph Englestad Arena in TRF
Games will be cross-bracketed with games at NOON, 1:45 PM, 3:30 PM, and 5:15 PM

SEMIFINALS – Wednesday, March 11 at Ralph Englestad Arena in TRF
6:00 and 7:45 PM 

CHAMPIONSHIP – Friday, March 13 a Ralph Englestad Arena in TRF
7:00 PM

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2026 Section 8AA Boys Basketball seeds and schedule announced

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The 2026 Section 8AA Boys Basketball tournament seeds and schedule have been released, and the seeds are below.

1. East Grand Forks
2. Staples-Motley
3. Osakis
4. Perham
5. Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton
6. Barnesville
7. Thief River Falls
8. Warroad
9. Park Rapids
10. Roseau
11. Hawley
12. Wadena0Deer Creek
13. Crookston
14. Menahga

SECTION 8AA FIRST ROUND – Thursday, March 5 at the high seed
#1 East Grand Forks and #2 Staples-Motly have first round byes
#9 Park Rapids at #8 Warroad
#13 Crookston at #4 Perham
#12 Wadena-Deer Creek at #5 Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton
#10 Roseau at #7 Thief River Falls
#14 Menahga at #3 Osakis
#11 Hawley at #6 Barnesville

QUARTERFINALS – Saturday, March 7 at the high seed
Park Rapids/Warroad winner at East Grand Forks
Crookston Perham winner vs Wadena-Deer Creek/DGF winner
Roseau/TRF winner at Staples-Motley
Menagha/Osakis winner vs Barnesville/Hawley winner

SEMIFINALS – Wednesday, March 11 at Concordia College in Moorhead
6:00 and 7:45 PM 

CHAMPIONSHIP – Friday, March 13 at Concordia College in Moorhead
8:00 PM

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Kittson Co. Central takes on Lake of the Woods in Section 8A quarterfinals – on KROX Radio

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The Kittson County Central Bearcats take on the Lake of the Woods Bears in the Section 8A Girls Basketball tournament quarterfinals at Ralph Englestad Arena in Thief River Falls at 5:15 p.m. KROX will have the game on the radio. Listen on 1260AM, in Grand Forks/EGF on 92.1FM, on the KROX app, your smart speaker by saying “Listen to KROX in Crookston” or online by clicking on listen live.
Kittson County Central is 17-9 on the year after beating Red Lake County Central 89-65 on Thursday. Lake of the Woods is 17-8 on the year after beating Red Lake 84-46 on Thursday.

FIRST HALF –

SECOND HALF –

  1st  2nd  Final
Lake of the Woods
Kittson Co. Central
For Kittson County Central Points
For Lake of the Woods Points

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Sacred Heart Girls Basketball takes on Mahnomen/Waubun in Section 8A quarterfinals – on KROX Radio

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The Sacred Heart Eagles Girls Basketball team takes on the Mahnomen/Waubun Thunderbirds in the Section 8A Girls Basketball tournament quarterfinals at Ralph Englestad Arena in Thief River Falls at 3:30 p.m. KROX will have the game on the radio. Listen on 1260AM, in Grand Forks/EGF on 92.1FM, on the KROX app, your smart speaker by saying “Listen to KROX in Crookston” or online by clicking on listen live.
Sacred Heart is 23-4 on the year after beating Stephen-Argyle 56-23 on Thursday. Mahnomen/Waubun is 9-17 after a 51-36 victory over Fosston on Thursday.
Sacred Heart beat Mahnomen/Waubun 71-37 during the regular season.

FIRST HALF –

SECOND HALF –

  1st  2nd  Final
Mahnomen/Waubun
Sacred Heart
For Sacred Heart Points
Lexi Lawrence
Finley Horken
Lydia Riskey
Brynn Stevens
Leah Sundby
Izzy Cwikla
Ella Arntson
For East Grand Forks Points

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WAO Girls Basketball takes on Bagley in Section 8A quarterfinals – on KROX Radio

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The Warren-Alvarado-Oslo Ponies Girls Basketball team takes on the Bagley Flyers in the Section 8A Girls Basketball quarter-finals at the Ralph Englestad Arena at 1:45 p.m. on Saturday. Listen on 1260AM, in Grand Forks/EGF on 92.1FM, on the KROX app, your smart speaker by saying “Listen to KROX in Crookston” or online by clicking on listen live.
WAO is 24-3 on the year after a 62-28 victory over Goodridge/Grygla on Thursday. Bagley is 8-18 after a 63-61 win over Blackduck on Thursday.

FIRST HALF

SECOND HALF

  1st  2nd  Final
Bagley
Warren-Alvarado-Oslo
For Warren-A-O Points
Macey Boe
Annie Peterson
Kenley Marquis
Markelle Peterson
Meila Pierce
Hanna Stroble
For Bagley Points

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Climax-Fisher Girl’s Basketball takes on #2 Kelliher/Northome – on KROX Radio

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The Climax-Fisher Knights Girls’ Basketball team takes on the #2-ranked Kelliher/Northome Mustangs in the Section 8A Girls Basketball quarterfinals at the Ralph Englestad Arena in Thief River Falls at Noon. The game will be on KROX Radio. Listen on 1260AM, in Grand Forks/EGF on 92.1FM, on the KROX app, your smart speaker by saying “Listen to KROX in Crookston” or online by clicking on Listen Live.
Climax-Fisher is 17-10 on the year after beating Fertile-Beltrami on Thursday. Kelliher-Northome is 26-1 on the year after beating Win-E-Mac 102-35 on Thursday.

FIRST HALF –

SECOND HALF –

  1st  2nd  Final
Climax-Fisher
Kelliher-Northome
For Climax-Fisher Points Rebounds Misc.
Peyton Hoffman
Lucy Paulsrud
Brooklyn Hoffman
Kaydence Korynta
Lexie Korynta
For Kelliher/Northome Points
Kate Thayer
Kylee Binkley
Charli Hallstrom
Alli Lundin
Kiya Buentemeyer
Bristol Binkley
Emily Mastin
Emma Wang

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UMC Women’s Basketball’s Emma Miller named NSIC First team

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University of Minnesota Crookston women’s basketball player Emma Miller (Sr. Albertville) was named All-NSIC First Team this week. Miller is a four-time All-NSIC honoree, and three-time All-NSIC First Team pick. She is the first Golden Eagle to ever earn placement on the All-NSIC First Team three times. She is also the first Minnesota Crookston player to ever earn either All-NSIC First or Second Team accolades in all four of her collegiate seasons.

Miller ended her career as the NSIC’s all-time leading scorer, surpassing Minnesota Duluth’s Brooke Olson. She finished with 1,692 career conference points. In addition, Miller is the first Golden Eagle in program history to score over 2,000 points. She finished with 2,135 career points, and also had the school’s three-point mark with 272 career three-pointers. As a senior, Miller averaged 19.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game. She shot 38.7 percent from the field, 28.6 percent from beyond the arc, and 84.9 percent from the stripe. Miller had 16 games as a senior with over 20 points, including a season-high 33 points on December 17 against Jamestown.

Bergan Kinnebrew of UMary was named the NSIC North Division Player of the Year. Natalie Bremer of Minnesota State was the NSIC South Division Player of the Year. Minnesota State’s Hannah Herzig earned NSIC Defensive Player of the Year. Krista Langager of Sioux Falls earned NSIC Freshman of the Year, while Minnesota State’s Emilee Thiesse was the NSIC Coach of the Year. 

2025-26 NSIC All-Conference Teams  
# First Team Pos Ht. Yr. School Hometown 
23 Lydia Haack G 5-3 Sr. CSP Elk River, Minn.
30 Lauren Wilson F 6-0 Jr. CSP Springville, Iowa
13 Bergan Kinnebrew G 5-10 Jr. UMary Bismarck, N.D. 
5 Allison Undlin P 6-3 Jr. UMary Mohall, N.D.
1 Emma Miller G  5-1  Sr.  UMC Albertville, Minn.
11 Myra Moorjani G 5-8 Sr. UMD Eden Prairie, Minn. 
5 Natalie Bremer G 5-11 Sr. MSU Lake City, Minn.
25 Izzy Moore G 5-10 Sr. NSU Sioux Falls, S.D.
24 Anna Vaaler F 5-11 So. USF Andover, Minn.
22 Audrey Swanson F 5-11 Sr. SMSU Waconia, Minn.
11 Jada Eggebrecht G 5-9 Sr. SCSU Phillips, Wis.
11 Hailey Markworth G 5-10 Sr. WSU La Grange, Ill.
# Second Team  Pos Ht. Yr. School Hometown 
23 Isabella Sanneh C 6-0 So. AUGIE Woodbury, Minn.
42 Kassandra Caron F 6-0 Sr. BSU Eden Prairie, Minn.
23 Claire Bjorge G 5-7 So. UMD DePere, Wis.
42 Lexi Karge C 6-2 Sr. UMD Mankato, Minn.
22 Mackenzie Schweim G 5-10 Sr. MSU Mankato, Minn.
22 Terryn Johnson C 6-2 Sr. MSUM Kindred, N.D.
14 Ashton Safranski G 5-7 So. MSUM Fargo, N.D.
12 Taryn Hamling G 5-9 R-So. MINOT Grand Rapids, Minn.
54 Krista Langager C 6-2 Fr. USF Sisseton, S.D.
34 Natalie Nielsen C 6-3 Jr. SMSU Akron, Iowa
25  Kylah VanDonkersgoed F 6-1 Sr. WSC Sioux Falls, S.D.
22 Vivica Bretton F 5-10 Jr. WSU Rochester, Minn.

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Winter Storm Advisory issued for NW Minnesota until 7 PM tonight

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The National Weather Service in Grand Forks, North Dakota has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for northwest Minnesota and north eastern North Dakota until 7:00 p.m. Friday. Travel conditions have deteriorated quickly throughout the area.
The advisory includes the cities of Crookston, East Grand Forks, Grand Forks, Middle River, Cando, Hallock, Cavalier, Fosston, Michigan, Lankin, Warren, Thief River Falls, Devils Lake, Langdon, Red Lake Falls, Newfolden, Roseau, Leeds, Grafton, and Drayton.

…WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM Friday, February 27.

  • WHAT…Patchy blowing and drifting snow. Winds gusting as high as 45 mph. Drifting snow leading to icy spots on roads.
  • WHERE…Portions of northwest Minnesota and northeast North Dakota.
  • WHEN…Until 7 PM CST this evening.
  • IMPACTS…Blowing and snow showers snow reducing visibility, at times to near blizzard in open country. Blowing and drifting snow is leading to reported icy conditions on area roads. The combination of very gusty winds and icy roads will make travel difficult and dangerous, especially for high profile vehicles. These conditions will impact the Friday afternoon commute.

Several accidents and cars in the ditch have been reported. Roads are covered with ice and travel has been difficult.

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2026 Section 8A Boys Hockey All-Section teams announced

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The Warroad Warriors Boys Hockey team beat Detroit Lakes 3-0 in the Section 8A Boys Hockey championship game on Thursday evening. After the game, the All-Section 8A Boys Hockey teams were announced. The list is below.

FIRST TEAM ALL-SECTION 8A

Forwards: 
Gavin Anderson – Warroad 
Spencer Anderson – Thief River Falls 
Garrett Fischer – Crookston 

Defense: 
Broden Hontvet – Warroad 
Max Bies – East Grand Forks 

Goalie: 
Finn Hanson – Warroad 

SECOND TEAM ALL-SECTION 8A

Forwards: 
Easton Kennedy – Detroit Lakes 
Tucker Lovejoy – East Grand Forks 
James Palmer – Bagley/Fosston/CG 

Defense: 
Hudson Petit – Detroit Lakes 
Ayven Hontvet – Warroad 

Goalie: 
Griffin Lindberg – Detroit Lakes 

THIRD TEAM ALL-SECTION 8A

Forwards: (Tie in voting) 
Ryan Shaugabay – Warroad 
Will Cymbaluk – Detroit Lakes 
Jace Panzer – East Grand Forks 
Finn Henry – Park Rapids 

Defense: 
Sam Hard – Warroad 
Tate Hamre – Crookston 

Goalie: (Tie in voting) 
Cooper Roff – Thief River Falls 
Noah Schindele – East Grand Forks 

SECTION 8A COACHES AWARDS
Section 8A Head Coach of the Year – Jay Hardwick: Warroad 

Section 8A Michael Tveit Memorial Assistant Coach of the Year – Connor Morgan: Crookston 

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Governor Tim Walz introduces comprehensive legislative fraud package

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Governor Tim Walz today introduced a comprehensive legislative package aimed at preventing, detecting, investigating, and holding accountable those who commit fraud in Minnesota’s state programs. The Governor was joined by Department of Human Services (DHS) Commissioner Shireen Gandhi, DHS Inspector General James Clark, and Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) Superintendent Drew Evans. 

“Fraud steals from the people of Minnesota and undermines the programs we all rely on,” said Governor Walz. “This package strengthens oversight, improves detection, expands enforcement, and increases penalties to protect every dollar Minnesotans depend on. We’ve followed the experts, audits, and proven roadmaps; now it’s time for the Legislature to act.” 

The proposal builds on steps taken over the past several years, including the creation of the BCA’s Financial Crimes and Fraud Section, the appointment of a statewide Director of Program Integrity, executive orders empowering state agencies to combat fraud, and improved leadership at DHS. The package incorporates recommendations from independent experts and Director Tim O’Malley’s roadmap, focusing on proactive prevention, stronger accountability, and modernized systems. 

Key elements of the Governor’s Anti-Fraud Package include:  

Better Detection and Oversight  

  • Strengthens program integrity in Managed Care Organizations
  • Expands audit and internal control capacity to ensure funds are properly spent and misused dollars are recovered.
  • Uses predictive analytics and machine learning to identify suspicious billing earlier.
  • Prohibits legislatively named grants, requiring competitive processes to ensure fairness and transparency.

Strengthened Investigative and Enforcement Authority 

  • Establishes a centralized Office of Inspector General to lead statewide fraud prevention, set standards, and refer cases for civil or criminal enforcement.
  • Expands BCA Financial Crimes and Fraud Unit capacity and subpoena authority.
  • Enhances authority for on-site investigations across Minnesota Health Care Programs, including providers who have not yet billed claims.
  • Adds capacity for fraud prevention at the Department of Revenue and the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Unit.
  • Establishes permanent bans from state contracts and grants for individuals convicted of fraud, including new businesses and subcontractors.

Increased Criminal Penalties 

  • Creates a new Theft of Public Funds statute, increasing penalties by 20 percent.
  • Extends statutes of limitations to seven years for certain fraud-related crimes.

The Governor’s full anti-fraud package is available here.