A Little League all-star team of 11- and 12-year-old boys from Traverse City advanced to the state tournament Saturday after winning the District 8 title in Grayling.

MEMBERS OF THE Traverse City Little League all-star team hold a banner after winning the District 8 championship Saturday. Leelanau County resident Walter Borkovich (second boy from left in back row) is a member of the team.

The team includes Walter Borkovich, the son of Mike and Jennifer Borkovich of Elmwood Township.

The top 16 teams in Michigan will compete in this weekend’s state tournament in Taylor. The winner of the tourney will advance to the Great Lakes Regional in Indianapolis Aug. 2-11, and the 16 regional winners nationwide will advance to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Penn., on Aug. 17-26. The World Series will be televised on ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC.

The Traverse City team played and won six games over the last two weeks, beating squads from East Jordan, Grayling, Charlevoix, Roscommon, Alpena and Manistee. Team members have a combined batting average of over .400.

The team is coached by Ron Hubbard, and is holding fundraisers to help cover travel expenses. For more information, call Hubbard at (231) 342-9574.

All team members will attend Traverse City Junior High School in the fall.