PHD Playoff Central: Monday (ND)
PHD Playoff Central. The WDC and EDC play-in games are completed and the quarterfinals are this week with the semi-finals and finals heading into the weekend. There are Region 1 games this evening and district title games being played all over the state. Technically March Madness is a day away but based on the desperation of playoff season the feeling of March is already here.
The Big Stage. There are numerous places that are holding several games this evening so a basketball lover in North Dakota can get into a gym just after 4:00 and enjoy games until around nine. Best places to go? Napoleon is highlighted by Linton/HMB vs Strasburg/Zeeland, the Jamestown Civic Center will have Ellendale vs Edgeley/Kulm/Montpelier, the main event Dunseith is St. John vs the host Dunseith squad, and at Mandan the final game is Solen against Shiloh Christian. Wherever you are there are District games in your area so get out and see basketball at it’s best.
Name to Watch. Dalton Poitra. It’s a big night for many but I would say that Dalton may have one of the biggest nights ahead of him. His team has won ten straight games including Saturday’s overtime victory over North Star 69-67. The Woodchcuks beat Dunseith in the first meeting but three weeks later Dunseith beat St. John convincingly by 11 points. Since losing to North Star a month ago the Dragons have been rolling teams including the 30 point win over Rolla Saturday so St. John will need a big night from Poitra and fellow senior Seth Vivier.
Upset City. The biggest upset on Saturday was Sawyer defeating defending champion Rugby in the 1/5 game in District 11. Earlier in the year Rugby manhandled Sawyer 78-35 but Saturday the Flashes changes thing up with the 54-51 upset. Sawyer has been playing very well winning five of the last six games.
Another upset was 4-17 Fargo South getting win number five on the season beating 9-11 Valley City 67-60. They actually played a close game four weeks ago and since Valley City won that game they had been struggling and now Fargo South has ended their season. Cam Hagen led South with 18.
Hat Tip to the Career. Senior Carson Zarak was one of the few returning talents from Wahpeton’s excellent 2014-15 season and this year the 6-foot-1 guard led his team in scoring, minutes, blocks, assists, and three-pointers made while also being second in rebounding.