District III community members helped bring a Great River Conference basketball title and Section 5A championship to the Hinckley-Finlayson Jaguars this year, earning the team their first-ever berth in the State Tournament.
On the team were Mille Lacs Band members Reuben Gibbs and Cedric LaFave, descendants Chayne Dunkley and Dion Bearstail, Ho-Chunk member Kolten Furey, and Oglala Sioux member Kyle Taggert.
The Jaguars fell 87-70 in the first round of the state tournament on March 22, to the Russell-Tyler-Ruthton Knights, who went on to win the state championship.
In the consolation bracket, the Jaguars beat Mahnomen-Waubun 88-66 and Rushford-Peterson 56-49 to win the bracket and take fifth place overall. Congratulations, guys! You made us all so proud!