Rural Schools Rarely Face Big City Teams Anymore

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In the past, small rural schools in Minnesota would occasionally get the chance to compete against big urban schools in high-profile basketball matchups. One such game was in 1966, when the tiny town of Henning took on Edina-Morningside at the Barn in the Twin Cities, with the Peterson twins leading Henning in a valiant effort that ultimately fell short in triple overtime. However, those types of David vs. Goliath showdowns are now a rarity, as the state has moved towards more equitable matchups between schools of similar size.

Why it matters

The shift away from rural schools facing off against big city powerhouses has reduced the potential for underdog stories and statewide attention, but it has also made the playing field more fair. Smaller schools no longer have to compete against much larger programs with deeper talent pools, giving them a better chance at success.

The details

In the 1966 game, the 6-foot-5 Peterson twins from tiny Henning captivated crowds with their skills, pushing Edina-Morningside to the limit before ultimately falling in triple overtime. At the time, Henning's valiant effort was celebrated in newspapers across the state. However, those types of matchups between David and Goliath schools have become increasingly rare as Minnesota has moved towards grouping schools by enrollment size to ensure more equitable competition.

• The 1966 game between Henning and Edina-Morningside took place in March of that year.

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