The Hill-Murray Pioneers basketball team (Maplewood, MN), was nudged 45-40 in Wednesday's league battle with the visiting North Polars (North St. Paul, MN)

The Polars now possess a 13-2 record. They put it on the line next when they host Tartan for a non-league battle on Friday, January 20. North will confront a Titans team coming off a 45-36 non-league win over South St. Paul (South St. Paul, MN). The Titans record now stands at 5-7.

The Pioneers (7-6) will now prepare for their battle against Providence Academy (Plymouth, MN). The Lions come into the non-league battle with a 12-2 record. In their last battle, Providence Academy edged Mayer Lutheran (Mayer, MN), 84-45, in a non-league battle.