The crowd at Thursday's non-league challenge between the Staples-Motley Cardinals (Staples, MN) and the visiting Verndale Pirates (Verndale, MN), observed Staples-Motley's basketball team knock off Verndale by a score of 58-41.

The Cardinals (4-11) will now prepare for their challenge against Pelican Rapids (Pelican Rapids, MN). The Vikings come into the non-league challenge with a 11-2 record. In their last challenge, Pelican Rapids dropped by Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton (Glyndon, MN), 50-47, in a league challenge.

In their next game, the Pirates encounter the New York Mills Eagles (New York Mills, MN) in a non-league challenge, on Friday, January 17. Verndale will attempt to improve on its 1-12 season record. The Eagles come into the challenge with a 8-5 record after their 48-24 non-league win over Sebeka (Sebeka, MN).