Follow the Minnesota boys' state basketball semifinals here

The state's smaller schools, including a packed field in Class 2A, play at Target Center today in the first day of boys' semifinals. Classes 1A and 2A play today; 3A and 4A are scheduled for Thursday. (The Class 4A girls' semifinals, featuring Hopkins' try for a state-record winning streak, begin at 7 p.m.)

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Today's schedule. (Tap on link for score updates and postgame report)

1A:
Hancock 65, Sleepy Eye St. Mary's 53

Hancock overcame a halftime deficit in a 65-53 victory against Sleepy Eye St. Mary's in the first Class 1A semifinal Wednesday at the Target Center.

The Owls (19-5) advance to play in the championship game at 10 a.m. Saturday. They previously won a state title in 1997.

Hayfield 79, Badger-Greenbush-Middle River 53

Senior Ethan Slaathaug scored 34 points — 20 in the first half — to spark Hayfield to a 79-53 victory over Badger/Greenbush-Middle River in a Class 1A semifinal on Wednesday at Target Center.

The Vikings (20-4), making their first tournament appearance since 2013, advanced to a state championship game for the first time since 2001.

Leading by nine early in the second half, the Vikings used a 13-0 run to open a 22-point lead with 11 minutes left.

Kobey Dallager scored 14 to lead the Gators (20-4).

2A:

Caledonia 60, Minneapolis North 55

Caledonia and Minneapolis North are accustomed to butting heads on the football field. The physicality moved to the hardwood Wednesday.

Caledonia used nine- and 10-point runs in the first half, then held off a late charging Minneapolis North for a 60-55 victory in a Class 2A semifinal Wednesday at Target Center.

The Warriors advanced to the finals for the fourth time, having won the title in 1997.

Waseca 72, Fergus Falls 58

The Bluejays' dynamic trio — Ryan Dufault, Andrew Morgan and Kyreese Willingham — combined for 58 points as No. 1-ranked Waseca (22-1) cruised past Fergus Falls 72-58 in the semifinals of the Class 2A Minnesota boys' basketball state tournament Wednesday at Target Center.

In the first half they combined for all but three of the Bluejays' 44 points.

Click here for more on this game.

More on the tournament:

Shakopee vs. Wayzata pits college teammates as opposing coaches

Meet the 2021 Star Tribune All-Metro team

For Metro Player of the Year Chet Holmgren, looking ahead means winning state

10 things to know about the boys' state tournament

State tournament schedule and brackets