It’s not the start that matters, it’s the finish.

Towner-Granville-Upham’s boys basketball team is testament to that.

Injuries and inconsistent play defined the Titans regular season, which included an 0-7 start and just six total victories.

However, all is forgotten now, as the Titans are just three wins away from the Class B state tournament.

“Who would have thought that in mid-December,” T-G-U coach Shane Walker said.

The postseason turned out to be the fresh start the Titans needed, advancing to the District 11 Tournament championship for the second year in a row and qualifying for regionals again.

T-G-U will face Mohall-Lansford-Sherwood of District 12 in a first round game at the Minot Auditorium this Monday, March 9 at 4:30 p.m.

“We’re going to have our hands full with them,” Walker said. “They have two good perimeter players and a 6-3 post player.”

The Titans are going into the game somewhat of an unknown commodity given their 8-14 record. “I wouldn’t say we have nothing to lose, but we do look at this as an opportunity to keep playing, and right now we’re playing well.”

The key against the Mavericks will be for the Titans to play a half-court game, get good possessions and force M-L-S to play defense.

It will come down to whether T-G-U can hit shots. “When we shoot well we feel we have a good chance to win,” Walker said.

A win would advance T-G-U to the semifinal round on Tuesday, March 10 to face either Berthold or Dunseith. A loss ends their season.