On Monday night, the lights inside Pleasant Plains High School burned a little brighter.
With a trip to state on the line, the Pleasant Plains Lady Cardinals squared off against the Tri-Valley Vikings in the 2026 Class 2A Super Sectional Championship. By the final buzzer, Pleasant Plains had turned its home court into a celebration scene, pulling away for a commanding 51–37 victory and punching its ticket to the state semifinals.
Fast Start Sets the Tone
From the opening tip at 7 p.m., the Lady Cardinals made their intentions clear.
Pleasant Plains controlled the tip and wasted no time getting on the board, striking first and immediately applying offensive pressure. The Vikings answered, tightening up defensively and finding a rhythm of their own. The first quarter unfolded as a defensive chess match, with both teams mirroring each other’s intensity and physicality.
After eight hard-fought minutes, the Cardinals clung to a narrow 9–8 lead.
Second-Quarter Surge
The game shifted dramatically in the second quarter.
Pleasant Plains exploded on offense while simultaneously locking down on defense. The Cardinals forced turnovers, converted them into transition points, and disrupted Tri-Valley’s offensive flow. The Vikings struggled to generate clean looks, and the scoreboard reflected the momentum swing.
By halftime, Pleasant Plains had built a commanding 31–13 lead, energizing the home crowd and putting Tri-Valley in a deep hole.
Vikings Show Fight
To their credit, the Vikings refused to go quietly.
Coming out of the locker room, Tri-Valley put together a third-quarter run, capitalizing when the Cardinals briefly eased off the gas. While the Vikings never overtook Pleasant Plains, they chipped away at the deficit and showed renewed life, attacking the rim and earning trips to the free-throw line.
For a moment, it felt like the momentum might shift.
But the Cardinals quickly regained control.
Closing It Out
In the fourth quarter, Pleasant Plains returned to the formula that built its lead: relentless defense and opportunistic offense. Turnovers once again turned into points, and every Viking push was met with a poised response.
With three minutes remaining, the outcome was all but decided. The student section, sensing history, erupted into chants and cheers as the Cardinals comfortably protected their advantage.
When the final buzzer sounded, the scoreboard read 51–37.
On to State
The Lady Cardinals celebrated at center court with their student section, soaking in the moment on their home floor. With the Class 2A Super Sectional title secured, Pleasant Plains now advances to the state semifinals — one step closer to a championship dream.
On Monday night, they didn’t just win.
They made a statement.
Post Game Interview with Coach Fraase
Post Game Interview with Anna Weber
Anna Weber with the Assist to Madison Burke
Grace Sabatka with the Three Pointer
Madison Burke with the Steal and Lay-Up
Anna Weber taking the Ball to the Basket
