Valley City Rallies to Defeat Wahpeton in Girls Region 1A Basketball Tournament

Defending state champions overcome 14-point fourth quarter deficit to win third place game

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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In a thrilling third place game of the Girls Region 1A Basketball Tournament, the defending state champion Valley City Hi-Liners overcame a 14-point fourth quarter deficit to defeat the Wahpeton Huskies 57-52. After trailing 44-30 entering the final frame, Valley City turned up the defensive pressure and got key scoring contributions from Maddy Frieze, Katie Burchill and Skye Nielson to spark a 14-0 run and tie the game. The Hi-Liners then sealed the victory by converting 13 of 15 free throw attempts in the fourth quarter.

Why it matters

This comeback win keeps Valley City's postseason hopes alive as they advance to the state play-in round, while Wahpeton's season comes to an end despite their strong effort for three quarters. The game highlighted the resilience and championship pedigree of the Hi-Liners, who refused to give up despite facing a sizable deficit against a tough opponent.

The details

The Wahpeton Huskies had built a 44-30 lead through three quarters, frustrating Valley City with disciplined defense and balanced scoring from Piper Nelson, Ashlynne Max and Claire Woods. But the Hi-Liners turned up the pressure in the fourth quarter, forcing turnovers and getting hot shooting from Maddy Frieze, who scored 10 points in the final frame. That opened up space inside for Valley City's post players Burchill and Nielson, who combined for 20 points. After struggling at the free throw line in the semifinal round, the Hi-Liners delivered when it mattered most, hitting 13 of 15 foul shots in the fourth quarter to seal the comeback victory.

  • The third place game was played on February 26, 2026.
  • Valley City trailed 44-30 entering the fourth quarter.
  • The Hi-Liners went on a 14-0 run to tie the game at 44-44 with 3:30 remaining.

The players

Piper Nelson

A player for the Wahpeton Huskies who helped set the tone early with her disciplined defense and balanced scoring.

Ashlynne Max

A player for the Wahpeton Huskies who contributed to the team's strong performance through three quarters.

Claire Woods

A player for the Wahpeton Huskies who was part of the balanced scoring effort that gave the team a big lead.

Katie Burchill

A player for the Valley City Hi-Liners who provided consistent offense, combining with Skye Nielson to score 20 of the team's 30 points through three quarters.

Skye Nielson

A player for the Valley City Hi-Liners who, along with Katie Burchill, provided the team's primary scoring punch in the first three quarters.

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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 (San Francisco Chronicle)

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

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

Valley City will advance to the state play-in round on Saturday at Mayville State University, where they will look to keep their postseason hopes alive.

The takeaway

This comeback victory showcases the resilience and championship pedigree of the Valley City Hi-Liners, who refused to give up despite facing a sizable fourth quarter deficit against a tough Wahpeton team. The game highlighted the Hi-Liners' ability to turn up the defensive pressure and make clutch plays down the stretch to secure the win and extend their season.