Best Games to Watch Thursday-Saturday (January 21-23 2021)

Michael Herrick January 20, 2021 @ 11:02 PM

A look at the top games around the state happening Thursday through Saturday…. Thursday, January 21, 2021 North Border (7-1) @ Thompson (7-3) This is a top-tier matchup in Region 2. The Eagles are red hot and coming off an upset win over Grafton last week, they are looking to keep their 6-game win streak intact. The Tommies boast one of the best defenses in North Dakota only allowing 45 points per game. North Border has been flying under the radar to start the season. The Eagles will attack the Tommies with Jaden Lee (18.1 ppg), Ayden Stainbrook (15.4 ppg, 7.9 rpg), Trenton Cosley (14.4 ppg, 4.3 apg), and Jaxen Johnson (9.7 ppg, 7.3 rpg). North Border has size and skill with Stainbrook and Johnson. Lee and Cosley are tough defenders that can put up points on the offensive side. On the other end Tommies have Kyle Odenback (13.9 ppg, 9.7 rpg), Jakob Starevic (10 ppg, 5.7 rpg), and Sam Roller (8.6 ppg). This one will come down to the Tommies defense against North Borders’ potent offense. Whoever controls the tempo will win the game. Tune in Thursday if you want to see two quality teams from Region 2. Friday, January 22, 2021 Fargo Shanley (4-5) @ Fargo Davies (7-3) This will be the battle for the best team in south Fargo. Both teams are stocked full of young talent. Shanley has hard-working relentless guards with [player_tooltip player_id="731890" first="Braden" last="DeKeyser"], Tyler Kraft, and Emmet Kenney. Conner Kraft is the lanky athletic big man for the Deacons. He has provided plenty of excitement this year with highlight-reel dunks. Davies has stud senior [player_tooltip player_id="731870" first="Owen" last="Hektner"] who is an MSUM commit. The Eagles also have one of the best slashing guards in the EDC with [player_tooltip player_id="1046343" first="Latrel" last="Davis"]. Add in underclassmen Mason Klabo, [player_tooltip player_id="812229" first="Ian" last="Motschenbacher"], Max Froslie, [player_tooltip player_id="1050247" first="Raymond" last="Brown"], and they are a scary team. This should be an exciting game to watch that will be played fast with a ton of three-pointers being taken. Who will be crowned king of south Fargo? Moorhead (0-2) @ Sheyenne (10-1) One team is just getting its season started and the other team is on a 10-game win streak. Moorhead has had a tough start to its winter season after an amazing fall football season. Sheyenne is ranked #2 in this week’s Power Rankings. The Mustangs might be the best team in ND and is playing its best basketball of the year. The Spuds bring in a quick aggressive team. They are led by Blake Walthall, Brady Walthall, Trey Feeney, Belind Alemadi. The Mustangs have the best frontcourt in North Dakota with [player_tooltip player_id="731876" first="Jacksen" last="Moni"] and [player_tooltip player_id="750185" first="Jah’Heem" last="Leake"]. I expect Moorhead to have trouble with Sheyenne’s size and will have to double inside. Will the Mustangs be able to hit from outside when the double team comes? Sheyenne does not mind playing fast and Moorhead thrives on playing fast. I am interested to see at what type of pace this game is played at. Check out this cross-state game on Friday night. Saturday, January 23, 2021 Four Winds/Minnewauken (7-1) @ Oak Grove (5-4) If you are in Fargo Saturday evening and like watching basketball teams that score and play fast, check this one out. Both teams trap all over on defense and will put up a ton of three-pointers. Four Winds is led by [player_tooltip player_id="1046356" first="Jayden" last="Yankton"] (18.8 ppg 41% for 3), [player_tooltip player_id="750159" first="Bronson" last="Walter"] (11.6 ppg, 7.9 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id="750170" first="Jaeshaun" last="Shaw"] (10.1 ppg), [player_tooltip player_id="1115651" first="Caelen" last="Lohnes"] (9.6 ppg), [player_tooltip player_id="1115652" first="Jonah" last="Jackson"] (9.2 ppg, 5.2 rpg), and [player_tooltip player_id="1115603" first="Keldon" last="Keja"] (6.1 ppg, 6.9 apg). Oak Grove will answer with [player_tooltip player_id="731878" first="Noah" last="Swenson"] (17. Ppg, 8.4 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id="1046336" first="Mason" last="Martinson"] (11 ppg), Trevon Rodriguez (9.4 ppg), and Conner Asche (7.3 ppg). All I know is that this game will be played at a fast pace and it will be fun to watch. Make sure to check this game out. Bismarck (8-2) @ Bismarck Century (5-3) This is another tough game for the Demons this week in the Capitol city. By the end of Saturday night, we should know who the best team in Bismarck is. Coming into the week we had Bismarck ranked #1 in our Power Rankings. The Demons may have the best player in the WDA with junior [player_tooltip player_id="1046352" first="Treysen" last="Eaglestaff"]. The Demons have a talented team with Treysen Egalestaff (24.2 ppg, 7.1 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id="731866" first="Gunner" last="Swanson"] (13.6 ppg, 6.7 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id="750174" first="Max" last="Tschosik"] (10.2 ppg, 3.8 apg), and [player_tooltip player_id="996110" first="Logan" last="Schaubert"] (9.2 ppg). Century is full of talent as well. They might have the best young players in North Dakota. The leaders for Century are [player_tooltip player_id="750155" first="Ian" last="Ely"] (15.6 ppg), Ryan Erickson (14.6 ppg, 9.5 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id="1048689" first="Anthony" last="Doppler"] (11.9 ppg, 5.7 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id="1111175" first="Isaiah" last="Schafer"] (9.4 ppg), and [player_tooltip player_id="1050255" first="William" last="Ware"] (9.1 ppg, 6.2 ppg). I think this one is a toss-up; I could make cases for both teams winning this one. It will come down to who can execute better and who takes care of the basketball. It is going to be a fun matchup. Mandan (8-3) @ Minot (8-1) The last time these two teams faced each other Minot came away with a close win 69-67. I am expecting another nail-biter Saturday evening. Mandan has four players scoring in double digits with [player_tooltip player_id="1046360" first="Aaron" last="Grubb"], [player_tooltip player_id="750176" first="Jayce" last="Lowman"], Jacob Pierce, and [player_tooltip player_id="1046334" first="Tyler" last="Thilmony"]. This is a tough group of Braves who play hard and fast. Minot has one of the best point guards in the state and the best on-ball defender with [player_tooltip player_id="750158" first="Deonte" last="Martinez"]. He is complemented by [player_tooltip player_id="1111173" first="Eric" last="Wentz"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1050246" first="Darik" last="Dissette"]. This one seems to be an even matchup on paper. Minot is a tough team on their home court. How will Mandan travel and shoot on the road? Only time will tell. I look for this game to be in the 70’s and the winner to lead by 5 or less after the final buzzer sounds.