Verndale Pirates (Verndale, MN) backers were pleased Thursday as they saw their basketball squad bounce the visiting Bertha-Hewitt Bears (Bertha, MN), 68-45 in a league bout.

With the victory, Verndale upgrades its record to 6-12 on the campaign. The Pirates host Upsala (Upsala, MN) to play the Cardinals in a non-league bout on Friday, February 10. The Cardinals come into the bout with a record of 11-10. Upsala won 61-41 in their recent non-league bout against Hinckley-Finlayson (Hinckley, MN)

Next up, the Bears play the New York Mills Eagles (New York Mills, MN) in a A Section 6 bout, on Tuesday, February 14. Bertha-Hewitt will attempt to upgrade on its 6-14 season record. The Eagles come into the bout with a 13-8 record after their 55-45 league loss to Henning (Henning, MN).