The NRHEG boys’ basketball team is headed where it has not been in more than a decade: the section finals.

The second-seeded Panthers defeated Fairmont 45-42 in a thrilling Sub-Section 2AA South championship game Monday night at Minnesota State-Mankato. They improved to 27-2 overall and play Jordan (25-2) for the Section 2AA title — and first-ever state tournament berth — Friday, Feb. 17 at 8 p.m. at Minnesota State-Mankato. Fairmont, which upset No. 1 seed WEM, finished 18-10.