In a thrilling Minnesota state semifinal matchup, the Cherry boys basketball team, the top-seeded defending Class A champions, narrowly triumphed over Nevis with a final score of 79-70. This victory sets the stage for their championship game against Dawson-Boyd on Saturday. The game showcased an intense rivalry between the two teams, with Cherry ultimately pulling ahead in the second half thanks to strong performances from key players.

The first half saw Nevis taking a slight edge over Cherry, outscoring them 39-38. However, the momentum shifted dramatically in the second half as Cherry unleashed an offensive surge, scoring 41 points compared to Nevis' 31. Standout player Carson Brown led the charge with 22 points and eight rebounds, while Noah Sundquist contributed significantly with 17 points and 13 rebounds. Isaiah Asuma also played a crucial role, adding 16 points to the scoreboard. Despite AJ Bessler's impressive 39-point performance for Nevis, it wasn't enough to overcome Cherry's relentless drive.

This marks Cherry's fourth consecutive appearance at the state level, further cementing their status as a formidable force in Class A basketball. With an overall record now standing at 31-1, the Cherry Tigers are eager to secure back-to-back titles. Their next challenge comes in the form of Dawson-Boyd, ranked second with a 29-3 record. Fans can anticipate another high-stakes showdown when the two teams face off at Williams Arena in Minneapolis.

Saturday morning will see the culmination of this season's efforts as Cherry aims to defend their title. The championship game is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. local time. As anticipation builds, all eyes will be on the Cherry Tigers as they seek to etch their name into the annals of basketball history once more.