Fans at Thursday's league challenge between the Staples-Motley Cardinals (Staples, MN) and the visiting Aitkin Gobblers (Aitkin, MN), saw Staples-Motley's basketball squad hold off Aitkin by a count of 59-55.

With the victory, Staples-Motley upgrades its record to 5-14 on the campaign. The Cardinals host Pillager (Pillager, MN) to play the Huskies in a AA Section 7 challenge on Monday, February 5. The Huskies come into the challenge with a record of 3-16. Pillager lost 95-48 in their recent non-league challenge against Marshall (Duluth, MN)

Next up, the Gobblers play the Two Harbors Agates (Two Harbors, MN) in a AA Section 7 challenge, on Friday, February 2. Aitkin will attempt to upgrade on its 2-17 season record. The Agates come into the challenge with a 4-17 record after their 67-34 league loss to Barnum (Barnum, MN).