ST. PAUL - The Cass Lake-Bena boys basketball team is returning home as the third place team in Minnesota.
The Panthers ended the state tournament Saturday, defeating Norman County East 78-65 in a battle between old section rivals in the Class A third place game at Gangelhoff Center on the campus of Concordia-St. Paul.
"It's good to end on a high note and win this way," Cass Lake-Bena senior Joel Salscheider said. "Only eight teams finish their seasons with a win."
Fellow senior Joe Wilson felt the same way.
"It's much better to end the season with a win than a loss," Wilson said.
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Cass Lake-Bena and NCE played a competitive game, with the Panthers able to win by breaking away in the middle of the second half.
Martin Wind bounced finished with a game-high 33 points and was 4-for-7 from 3-point range. Nate Salscheider had 15 points and Joel Salscheider chipped in 12.
David Varriano and Tyler Bennefeld led NCE with 20 points each.
The 2007-08 Panthers ended the season with a 29-4 record, reaching the state tournament in back-to-back seasons and for the fourth time in seven years. Cass Lake-Bena had win streaks of 16 games, seven games and four games this season.
"I think we can be proud of our accomplishments this season," Cass Lake-Bena senior Travis Huesers said.
For more on Saturday's game pick up Sunday's print edition of the Pioneer.
