Walker-Hackensack-Akeley draws SW Minnesota Christian in state opener

WALKER – Friday’s 58-38 victory over Northern Freeze vaulted Walker-Hackensack-Akeley into the state Class A boys basketball tournament for the first time in the program’s history.

The Wolves were one of three unseeded teams in this year’s state field and will bring a 27-2 record into the tournament. They will begin their quest for a state championship 5 p.m. Thursday at Williams Arena against third-seeded Southwest Minnesota Christian of Edgerton.

If WHA can pull off the upset it will face either Battle Lake (22-5) or No. 2 ranked Upsala (30-0) 2 p.m. Friday at Target Center in the state semifinals.

Battle Lake and Upsala will square off at 3 p.m. Thursday at Williams Arena in the lower bracket’s other quarterfinal.

Thursday’s upper bracket games at Williams Arena see No. 1 seeded Maranatha Christian Academy (29-1) tangling with Mountain Lake (24-5) at 11 a.m. and No. 4 Rushford-Peterson (26-3) facing No. 5 Lakeview Christian (20-1) at 1 p.m.

The Class A championship game will be March 23 at noon at the Target Center. The third place game will be March 23 at 10 a.m. at Concordia-St. Paul.

Class A Boys State Tournament

Thursday’s Quarterfinals

Williams Arena

Game 1: Mountain Lake (24-5) vs. No. 1 seed Maranatha Christian (29-1), 11 a.m.

Game 2: No. 5 Lakeview Christian (20-1) vs. No. 4 Rushford-Peterson (26-3), 1 p.m.

Game 3: Battle Lake (22-5) vs. No. 2 Upsala (30-0), 3 p.m.

Game 4: Walker-Hackensack-Akeley (27-2) vs. No. 3 Southwest Minnesota Christian (27-1), 5 p.m.

Friday’s Semifinals

Target Center

Game 5: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner, noon

Game 6: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner, 2 p.m.

Championship, March 23

Target Center

Game 7: Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner, noon

Third Place Game, March 23

Concordia-St. Paul

Game 8: Game 5 loser vs. Game 6 loser, 10 a.m.