North Tonawanda falls short of state berth against top-ranked Penfield

Lumberjacks' underdog run ends in close loss in state playoffs

Mar. 14, 2026 at 2:56am

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The North Tonawanda Lumberjacks, who had a remarkable underdog run to win their sectional title, fell just short of a state berth after pushing top-ranked Penfield to the brink in the state playoffs.

Why it matters

North Tonawanda's deep playoff run as an underdog team captured the attention of the local community, showcasing the team's grit and determination despite facing a heavily favored opponent in the state playoffs.

The details

The Lumberjacks gave Penfield, the top-ranked team, all they could handle, but ultimately fell short of clinching a state tournament berth.

  • The game took place on March 14, 2026.

The players

North Tonawanda Lumberjacks

The high school basketball team from North Tonawanda, New York that made an unexpected run to the state playoffs.

Penfield

The top-ranked high school basketball team that North Tonawanda faced in the state playoffs.

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The takeaway

North Tonawanda's inspiring playoff run, despite falling short of a state berth, demonstrated the team's resilience and ability to compete with the best teams in the state, raising hopes for future success.