PCT Photo Rugby High School freshman Avery Santjer eyes the basket in the Panthers’ semifinals game against the Turtle Mountain Community High School Braves at the MSU Dome in the 2026 NDHSAA Region 3A Girls Basketball Tournament on Tuesday, Feb. 24.

The 2026 NDHSAA Region 3A Girls Basketball Tournament kicked off on Monday, Feb. 23, at the MSU Dome with all top four-seeded teams moving on to the tournament semifinals, including the Rugby Panthers.

The Region 3 third-seeded Rugby High School Panthers and the sixth-seeded Des Lacs-Burlington Lakers were the last to play in Monday night’s quarterfinal rounds at the MSU Dome, ending with Rugby’s 46-32 victory. The Panthers and the Lakers had the closest of Monday night’s four games, with both teams trading the lead back and forth in the first two quarters of the game. The Panthers walked away on top at halftime with their 21-13 lead.

The Lakers were able to work their way back to a tie at 27-27 and took the lead for the first time since the second quarter on a free throw. The Panthers were quickly able to wrestle control back, keeping and widening their lead before ending the game with a 46-32 victory over the Lakers.

The Panthers and the TMCHS Braves faced off in the semifinals of the tournament 20 minutes after the conclusion of the Royals/Stars game at the MSU Dome on Tuesday, Feb. 24.

Rugby continued their region title defense as they took on the Braves.

The Braves led the Panthers at the conclusion of the first quarter of their semifinals game at 11-15, but the second quarter of the game saw massive gains for the Panthers.

Rugby scored 22 points in the second quarter alone, including five three-point shots and played just as strong a defense in the second quarter. The Panthers only allowed the Braves to earn six points, giving Rugby the lead heading into half time at 33-21.

Both teams earned 12 points each in the third quarter, giving them a score of 45-33 heading into the last quarter.

The Panthers ended the game with a victory of 52-36, outscoring the Braves once again 7-3 in the last eight minutes of play.

Rugby junior Marly Santjer and senior Sara Schmaltz led the Panthers in points on Tuesday night with 14 each. Junior Samantha Blessum also finished with double digit points earned for the Panthers with 10 on the night.

The Stars and the Braves faced off in the third-place match of the region tournament at the MSU Dome beginning at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 26.

The Rugby High School Panthers played the No. 1 seeded South Prairie-Max Royals in the region championship match, set to begin 20 minutes after the conclusion of the third-place game on Thursday, Feb. 26. At the time of deadline, the game had not yet taken place.