The crowd at Friday's league challenge between the Pierz Pioneers (Pierz, MN) and the visiting Staples-Motley Cardinals (Staples, MN), observed Pierz's basketball team edge Staples-Motley by a score of 61-57.

The Pioneers (2-2) will now prepare for their challenge against Mora (Mora, MN). The Mustangs come into the non-league challenge with a 4-0 record. In their last challenge, Mora edged West Lutheran (Plymouth, MN), 116-64, in a non-league challenge.

In their next game, the Cardinals encounter the Aitkin Gobblers (Aitkin, MN) in a AA Section 7 challenge, on Tuesday, December 17. Staples-Motley will attempt to improve on its 3-1 season record. The Gobblers come into the challenge with a 1-2 record after their 68-47 non-league win over Mille Lacs co-op [Isle/Onamia] (Isle, MN).