Eleva-Strum needed to move up one notch to become a state champion, and its mission was accomplished. The Cardinals, who were runners-up last year, got 23 points from Lance Rongstad and outlasted Suring 62-58 in a matchup of undefeated teams in the Division 4 title game of the state high school boys basketball tournament.

Nick Zander added 15 points and Jordan Petersen contributed 9 points, 5 assists and 5 rebounds for the Cardinals, which finished 27-0.

Josh Regal led Suring with 22 points. But the team's star player was only 7-for-22, including 2-for-12 on 3-pointers, from the field. Cody Lechleitner added 11 points as the losers fell to 26-1.

Eleva-Strum trailed almost the entire first half, but used a 9-0 run to take control in the third quarter.