The Rugby Bandits recently won the Pacesetters North Dakota State 8th Grade Boys’ Basketball Championship. The tournament took place on April 9 at the Betty Englestad Arena in Grand Forks.

The Bandits are comprised of five players from Rugby: Eli Luna, Tanner Bernhardt, Eric Hooker, Nolan Hovland, and Brad Heidlebaugh; three from Towner, Zach Miller, Colter Thorp and Hunter Schell; and one from Cando, Alex Weston. This team defeated LaMoure 39-25 in the first round, defeated Minot 44-42 in the quarterfinals and stopped Fargo 38-21 in the semifinals. Rugby won the championship over rival Bismarck 39-36 in double overtime.

With the win, the Bandits earned a spot in the Four State Regional tournament which will take place July 9 at the Target Center in Minneapolis. Teams competing for the regional title are from North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa.