FARGO, N.D. (KVRR/KNFL) — The Devils Lake Firebirds won their first Boys Basketball State Championship since 1925 Saturday night. The Firebirds came into the Class A State Tournament as the number two seed with a 24-2 record. The Kindred Vikings came into the matchup undefeated and one win away from a perfect season.
THE FIREBIRDS TOOK DOWN KINDRED 59-54 FOR THEIR FIRST STATE CHAMPIONSHIP IN 99 YEARS
Adam Chalifoux/KVRR
With a rowdy student section behind them and an inspiring pregame speech from head coach, Dustin Brodina, the Firebirds came out on a mission to lock down the Vikings; starting the game with a 13-2 run. The Vikings tied the game in the third quarter but the Fire Birds were able to handle the adversity and close out the game by making big shots and keeping the normally highflying Vikings grounded. When the final buzzer sounded, a celebration 99 years in the waiting ensued with Devils Lakes’ 59-54 win.
“Our message was defense. You know defense wins championships. Coming into this tournament, I thought our defense was really, really good. We weren’t making mistakes and I thought if we could carry that into this State Tournament and do that and that if we hit a few big shots down the stretch,” said Brodina.
“It feels like a weights been lifted off our shoulders. I know coming in here I didn’t have to worry about it as much. I knew we had to take it one game at a time but now that it’s done, it feels amazing,” said Tournament MVP, Wylee Delorme.
“Feels awesome, feels fantastic, and Kindreds a great team. They are a fantastic team. At the start of the season we set that goal to win that State Title. That was our goal to believe in that it was going to happen. It’s great. You never think it’s gonna but it’s these guys behind me that I’m proud of and worked so hard. They’re the ones that earned it.” said Brodina.
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