Valley City Hi-Liners Repeat as Class A Girls Basketball State Champions

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For the second consecutive year, the Valley City Hi-Liners have won the North Dakota Class A girls basketball state championship, defeating the South Prairie-Max Royals 69-62 in a hard-fought title game. The Royals jumped out to an early 19-7 lead in the first quarter, but the Hi-Liners battled back to tie the game at 31-31 by halftime. Valley City's defense clamped down in the third quarter, holding the Royals to just 10 points and taking a 45-41 lead. The Royals made a late push in the fourth quarter, but the Hi-Liners sealed the victory by converting 15 consecutive free throws down the stretch.

Why it matters

This marks the second straight state championship for the Valley City Hi-Liners, solidifying their status as the top girls basketball program in North Dakota's Class A division. The victory is a testament to the team's resilience, as they overcame an early double-digit deficit to rally and claim the title. The Hi-Liners' success also highlights the competitive nature of North Dakota high school basketball, with the Royals providing a formidable challenge in the championship game.

The details

The Royals came out firing in the first quarter, led by Rylee Routledge's nine points to take a 19-7 lead. But the Hi-Liners, led by Katie Burchill's 17 first-half points, stormed back to tie the game by halftime. In the third quarter, Valley City's defense clamped down, holding the Royals to just 10 points and taking a 45-41 lead. The Royals made a late push in the fourth quarter, but the Hi-Liners sealed the victory by converting 15 consecutive free throws down the stretch.

• The championship game was played on March 7, 2026.

What’s next

The Hi-Liners and Royals will both look to build on their strong seasons and return to the state tournament next year, with both teams expected to be among the top contenders in Class A.