Fans at Thursday's league challenge between the Pine River-Backus Tigers (Pine River, MN) and the host Laporte Wildcats (Laporte, MN), saw Pine River-Backus's basketball squad trounce Laporte by a score of 76-16.

With the victory, Pine River-Backus improves its record to 1-0 on the campaign. The Tigers travel to Kelliher/Northome (Northome, MN) to battle the Mustangs in a Northland challenge on Saturday, December 10. The Mustangs come into the challenge with a record of 1-2. Kelliher/Northome won 76-62 in their recent league challenge against Walker-Hackensack-Akeley (Walker, MN)

Next up, the Wildcats battle the Verndale Pirates (Verndale, MN) in a non-league challenge, on Friday, December 9. Laporte will attempt to improve on its 0-2 season record. The Pirates come into the challenge with a 1-4 record after their 71-55 non-league loss to Parkers Prairie (Parkers Prairie, MN).