Class B State Tournament Preview
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We made it to the big dance, the Class B State Tournament! We are down to only 8 teams left. All the teams are talented and athletic. They have each made a great run to win their Region Championship. The…
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Continue ReadingWe made it to the big dance, the Class B State Tournament! We are down to only 8 teams left. All the teams are talented and athletic. They have each made a great run to win their Region Championship. The tournament will be played at the Minot State Dome March 18th-20th. It is the best time of the year and we finally made it to the pinnacle of North Dakota Hoops.
Let us take a look at each matchup in the tournament…
State Tournament opening day:
Thursday, March 18th, 2021
[12:00 start] #2 Grafton/St. Thomas (17-2) vs. Powers Lake (22-2)
The Spoilers beat North Border in the Region-2 Championship by a score of 46-40. The Ranchers beat White Shield 48-34 in the Region-8 Championship. Grafton puts up 64.7 ppg and they allow 43.8 ppg. Powers Lake scores 66.7 ppg and teams score 46 ppg against them. Each team has a stellar senior guard with Stevan Garza Stevan Garza 6'2" | SG Grafton | 2021 State ND from Grafton and Noah Fredrickson Noah Fredrickson 6'0" | SG Powers Lake | 2021 State ND from Powers Lake. Stevan is more of an all-around scorer and a slasher. Noah is a sniper from 3-point range and one of the best shooters in North Dakota. It will make for a fun game if they get matched up on each other. I hope this game is played at a fast pace and both push the tempo. This is a great match-up to start the tournament. Do not miss the Spoilers vs. the Ranchers in game #1.
[2:30 start] #3 Edgeley/Kulm/Montpelier (22-2) vs. Rugby (18-7)
The Rebels beat Linton/HMB in the Region-3 Championship by a score of 46-28. The Panthers beat Bottineau in the Region-6 Championship by a score of 58-45. Edgeley/Kulm/Montpelier averages 59.3 ppg and they give up 43.8 ppg. Rugby scores 62.7 ppg and they allow 55.6 ppg. These teams match up well with each other. They both have size, athletic guards, and a strong post presence. The Rebels are more conservative on defense and offensive compared to the Panthers. EKM has three main guys with Alex Huber Alex Huber 6'6" | SF Edgeley/Kulm/Montpelier | 2021 State ND , Chayse Entzi, and Adam Nitschke. Huber is the go-to player for the Rebels. Rugby has four studs offensively. Warren Walker Warren Walker 6'2" | SG Rugby | 2021 State ND and Trey Welstad Trey Welstad 6'1" | PG Rugby | 2021 State ND are the lead guards who shoot it well. Isaiah Bundy-Smith Isaiah Bundy-Smith 6'4" | PF Rugby | 2021 State ND and Cole Slaubaugh Cole Slaubaugh 6'4" | SF Rugby | 2021 State ND are the athletic frontcourt players for Rugby who can go off at any point. This is an intriguing matchup with stud players. Which style of play with come out on top?
[6:30 start] #1 Four Winds/Minnewaukan (23-1) vs. Shiloh Christian (15-9)
The Indians beat Langdon/Edmore/Munich 57-39 in the Region-4 Championship game. The Skyhawks beat Flasher 66-56 in the Region 5 Championship. Four Winds scores up 76.8 ppg and they give up 44.8 ppg. Shiloh averages 66.1 ppg and teams score 56.3 ppg on them. These two played each other back on February 20th and Four Winds won 61-45. The Indians and Skyhawks both have deep benches and many skilled players. The top players for Four Winds are Bronson Walter Bronson Walter 6'10" | C Four Winds/Minnewaukan | 2021 State ND , Jaeshaun Shaw Jaeshaun Shaw 5'11" | SG Four Winds | 2021 State ND , Jayden Yankton Jayden Yankton 6'1" | SG Four Winds/Minnewaukan | 2022 State ND , Keldon Keja Keldon Keja 5'10" | PG Four Winds/Minnewaukan | 2021 State ND , Caelen Lohnes Caelen Lohnes 6'1" | SF Four Winds/Minnewaukan | 2021 State ND , Jonah Jackson Jonah Jackson 6'1" | SF Four Winds/Minnewaukan | 2021 State ND , and Jacob LaRock. The top players for Shiloh Christian are Carter Englund Carter Englund 6'7" | PF Shiloh Christian | 2022 State ND , Jay Wanzek Jay Wanzek 6'7" | PF Shiloh Christian | 2023 State ND , Khael DeCoteau, Luke Wanzek Luke Wanzek 6'2" | SG Shiloh Christian | 2021 State ND , and Patrick Wrigley. I expect this one to be a bit closer compared to the last time they played. Shiloh will most likely look to keep this game low scoring if possible. Who will control the tempo of this game? Whoever wins will control the tempo and win the turnover battle.
[9:00 start] #4 Dickinson Trinity (21-3) vs. #5 Kindred (18-4)
The Titans beat Beulah in the Region-7 Championship by a score of 61-53. The Vikings beat Oak Grove in the Region-1 Championship by a score of 65-51. Dickinson Trinity scores 63.1 ppg and gives up 43.5 ppg. Kindred puts up 60.7 ppg, and they allow 42.3 ppg. The Titans have superior guard play, and they are better outside shooters. However, Kindred has the size advantage, and they should win the rebounding battle. These two teams like to control the pace and they are both excellent defensively. For the Titans Cole Fitterer Cole Fitterer 5'11" | SG Dickinson Trinity | 2021 State ND , Tanner Soehren Tanner Soehren 6'3" | PF Dickinson Trinity | 2021 State ND , and Jacob Daniel Jacob Daniel 6'1" | SG Dickinson Trinity | 2021 State ND are the best players and stat fillers. The Vikings are led by Gavin Keller Gavin Keller 6'9" | PF Kindred | 2021 State ND who is the big man and rim protector for this stingy defense. He is surrounded by long athletes who dunk as often as they shoot a layup. These stud athletes are Jaiden Peraza Jaiden Peraza 6'5" | SF Kindred | 2022 State ND , Paul Olson Paul Olson 6'3" | SF Kindred | 2022 State ND , and Max McQuillan Max McQuillan 6'5" | SG Kindred | 2022 State ND . I predict this game to be in the 50’s. If Kindred wins it is because of their tough defense and their scoring in the paint. If Trinity wins it is because of their discipline and they shot well from outside. The winner of this game will play the winner of Four Winds/Minnewaukan vs. Shiloh Christian on Friday at 9:00.