Local Teams Split Results at Class B State Tournament

Defending champions Benson County advance, while LaMoure-Litchville/Marion stages stunning comeback

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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On the first day of the Class B State Girls Basketball Tournament, the defending champions Benson County showed their dominance with a 65-46 win over Edgeley/Kulm/Montpelier. Meanwhile, LaMoure-Litchville/Marion overcame a poor shooting night to rally past Washburn 43-37 in a comeback victory.

Why it matters

The Class B State Tournament is a highly anticipated annual event that showcases the top high school basketball talent in North Dakota. The results on opening day set the stage for the semifinals and finals, where teams will vie for the coveted state championship title.

The details

Benson County's Aubrey Kenner, the team's all-time leading scorer, poured in 32 points on 11-of-13 shooting, including 6-of-7 from three-point range. The Rebels, playing without Jaelyn Bertsch, struggled to keep up. In the other game, LaMoure-Litchville/Marion overcame a 22.2% shooting performance by going 23-of-28 from the free throw line, while Washburn was just 3-of-12 from the charity stripe. Onika Lesko made her return from an ACL injury in the third quarter and sparked the Loboes' game-ending 20-2 run.

  • The Class B State Girls Basketball Tournament began on March 5, 2026.
  • Benson County and LaMoure-Litchville/Marion played their opening round games on March 5, 2026.

The players

Aubrey Kenner

The all-time leading scorer for the Benson County Wildcats.

Jaelyn Bertsch

A key player for the Edgeley/Kulm/Montpelier Rebels who did not play in the opening round game.

Onika Lesko

A player for LaMoure-Litchville/Marion who returned from an ACL injury to spark her team's comeback in the third quarter.

Addison Smith

Scored 21 points for LaMoure-Litchville/Marion in their comeback win over Washburn.

Nora DeLaBarre

Scored 11 points and grabbed 12 rebounds for a double-double in LaMoure-Litchville/Marion's win.

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What they’re saying

“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

On Friday, LaMoure-Litchville/Marion will face Benson County in the Class B state semifinal, while Edgeley/Kulm/Montpelier and Washburn will play in the consolation round.

The takeaway

The opening day of the Class B State Tournament showcased the dominance of the defending champions Benson County, as well as the resilience and comeback ability of LaMoure-Litchville/Marion. These results set the stage for an exciting semifinal matchup and consolation round on Friday.