M/P-B Thunder Advance to Region 1B Championship

Boys basketball team wins two tough playoff games to reach title game

Mar. 16, 2026 at 12:00am

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The Medina/Pingree-Buchanan Thunder boys basketball team won two close games in the Region 1B tournament, defeating Hankinson in overtime and then Linton/HMB, to advance to the championship game. They will face the E/K/M Rebels, who defeated them earlier this season, with a spot in the state tournament on the line.

Why it matters

The Thunder are looking to return to the state tournament for the first time since 2024, and a win in the region final would secure their spot. The team has shown resilience in close games, overcoming a dominant individual performance and a back-and-forth battle to reach the championship.

The details

In the quarterfinal game against Hankinson, the Thunder overcame a 45-point performance by Raeshaun Earl to win 78-73 in overtime. Drew Hofmann led M/P-B with 28 points. In the semifinal, the Thunder pulled away in the fourth quarter to defeat Linton/HMB 75-67, with Gage Hofmann recording a double-double and Trevin Behm providing a spark off the bench.

  • The Region 1B tournament games were played on March 9 and March 10.
  • The region championship game will be played on Saturday, March 14 at the Scheels Center in Fargo.
  • The state tournament is scheduled for March 19-21 in Minot.

The players

Medina/Pingree-Buchanan Thunder

The boys basketball team representing the cooperative of Medina and Pingree-Buchanan high schools, who are seeking their second state tournament berth in three years.

Raeshaun Earl

A 6-foot-1 senior guard for the Hankinson Pirates, who scored 45 points in the quarterfinal loss to the Thunder.

Drew Hofmann

A key player for the Thunder, scoring 28 points in the overtime win against Hankinson.

Gage Hofmann

The Thunder's leading scorer in the semifinal win over Linton/HMB, recording a double-double with 20 points and 12 rebounds.

Trevin Behm

A Thunder player who came off the bench to provide a spark in the semifinal, scoring 10 points including two big three-pointers.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

What’s next

The winner of the Region 1B championship game between M/P-B and E/K/M will advance to the state tournament in Minot on March 19-21. The loser will play in the state qualifying round on Saturday, March 14 at the Scheels Center in Fargo.

The takeaway

The M/P-B Thunder have shown resilience and clutch shooting in the Region 1B tournament, overcoming tough opponents to reach the championship game and a potential return to the state tournament. Their ability to win close games against high-powered offenses bodes well for their chances of capturing the region title and extending their season.