Willmar Cardinals Advance to Section 8AAA Championship

The third-seeded Cardinals defeated No. 2 Fergus Falls in overtime to set up a title game matchup with top-seeded Little Falls.

Mar. 3, 2026 at 11:36pm

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The Willmar girls basketball team is one win away from their first state tournament appearance since 2018-19 after defeating Fergus Falls 56-53 in overtime in the Section 8AAA semifinals. The third-seeded Cardinals will now face off against top-seeded Little Falls for the section championship on Thursday. Willmar is hoping to avenge a 46-35 regular season loss to the Flyers and advance to state for the first time in four years.

Why it matters

The Willmar Cardinals have battled through adversity all season, including injuries and a midseason slump, to put themselves in position to make their first state tournament in four years. A win over Little Falls would be a culmination of their hard work and determination to keep their 'family' together for one more game.

The details

In the semifinal win over Fergus Falls, Willmar trailed by 7 points in the final 90 seconds before rallying to force overtime. Junior Telilie Lange scored the Cardinals' last 8 points in regulation, including the game-tying bucket. Willmar then held Fergus Falls to just 3 points in overtime, with senior Maddison Molacek coming up with a game-clinching steal. The Cardinals will now try to slow down Little Falls' star sophomore guard Malin Youngberg, who is verbally committed to South Dakota State, as well as the Flyers' supporting cast of shooters.

  • The Section 8AAA championship game will be played on Thursday, March 6, 2026 at 7 p.m.
  • Willmar and Little Falls met in the regular season on January 17, 2026, with Little Falls earning a 46-35 victory.

The players

Maddison Molacek

A senior guard for the Willmar Cardinals who came up with a game-clinching steal in the semifinal win over Fergus Falls.

Telilie Lange

A junior guard for the Willmar Cardinals who scored the team's final 8 points in regulation to force overtime in the semifinal win.

Malin Youngberg

A sophomore guard for the Little Falls Flyers who is verbally committed to play at Division I South Dakota State University.

Brendan Hedtke

The head coach of the Willmar Cardinals.

Isley Ripperger

The Willmar Cardinals' starting guard who suffered a torn ACL in the third game of the season.

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What they’re saying

“In the locker room before (the Fergus Falls game), usually it's like, 'Here's the game plan.' But it was more like, 'This is our family and we cannot let this be the last time that this family's together. Fergus is trying to kill our family and we don't wanna die.”

— Maddison Molacek, Senior Guard

“Pressure is a privilege. It's a privilege to be in this position and be with this team. This is a very special group of girls and we have every capability to win this game on Thursday.”

— Maddison Molacek, Senior Guard

“If (Malin's) sharing the ball and willing to get her teammates involved and they're knocking down their shots, it's really hard to defend. If it's an off night, then that makes things a little bit easier. But it's gonna be a team effort to guard her.”

— Brendan Hedtke, Head Coach

What’s next

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The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.