Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop Thunderbirds (Winthrop, MN) backers were in high spirits Thursday as they witnessed their basketball squad thwart the visiting St. James Saints (St. James, MN), 79-70 in a non-league bout.

With the win, Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop upgrades its record to 16-9 on the season. The Thunderbirds travel to St. Mary's (Sleepy Eye, MN) to clash with the Knights in a A Section 2 bout on Friday, February 16. The Knights go into the bout with a record of 17-7. St. Mary's lost 64-52 in their recent league bout against Springfield (Springfield, MN)

Next up, the Saints clash with the Madelia Blackhawks (Madelia, MN) in a non-league bout, on Tuesday, February 20. St. James will attempt to upgrade on its 4-22 season record. The Blackhawks go into the bout with a 11-15 record after their 80-58 league loss to St. Clair (St. Clair, MN).