Best Games to Watch ND & SD: 12-21-21

<p>We have many great games going in North Dakota and South Dakota going on Tuesday, December 21st, 2021. Let’s look at the top games for both ND &amp; SD.</p> <h4><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Best Games to Watch North Dakota</strong></span></h4> <h5><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Thompson @ Central Cass (7:30 start)</strong></span></h5> <p><em>Record</em>- Tommies 1-1 Squirrels 3-0</p> <p>We have cross Region battle in this one with Thompson in Region-2 and Central Cass in Region-1. Both programs traditionally have very competitive programs and this year will be no different. Top players for Thompson: [player_tooltip player_id="1145544" first="Jake" last="Starcevic"], [player_tooltip player_id="1165392" first="Karter" last="Peterson"], and [player_tooltip player_id="1135525" first="Kyle" last="Odenbach"]. Top players for Central Cass: [player_tooltip player_id="1144578" first="Cole" last="Holzer"], [player_tooltip player_id="1144577" first="Carter" last="Vrchota"], [player_tooltip player_id="1111886" first="Sam" last="Kobbervig"], and [player_tooltip player_id="1123709" first="Jake" last="Deutsch"]. Both teams have some size and they are both athletic. I hope to see Holzer and Odenbach matchup. These two are young up-and-coming forwards. They are skilled and athletic. Although they have a different skill set it will be fun to see them get after each other. Another matchup I would like to see is Kobbervig and Starcevic. Kobbervig may be the X-factor tonight if he can get it going on offense. Between the two there is a ton of talent and athleticism. This has all the ingredients to be a great game in Casselton tonight!</p> <h5><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Bismarck St. Mary’s @ #3 Bismarck (7:45 start)</strong></span></h5> <p><em>Record</em>- Saints 4-1 Demons 4-0</p> <p>This is a WDA game, a crosstown game, and most importantly a big rivalry game. Before the season started I predicted that both would make it into the State Tournament. Each squad has four wins on the season. I think this one will come down to St. Mary’s being able to stop [player_tooltip player_id="1046352" first="Treysen" last="Eaglestaff"]. I should not say stop, limit is a better word for this star senior. Another big factor will be if St. Mary’s handles the Demon pressure, press, and traps. Tresysen Eaglestaff is the big name for Bismarck and he could go off for 30 or 40 tonight. Can the Saints slow him down? For Saints Mary’s you will want to keep your eyes on [player_tooltip player_id="1046367" first="Nate" last="Fedorchak"], [player_tooltip player_id="1046359" first="Evan" last="Gross"], and [player_tooltip player_id="1135509" first="Garrett" last="Bader"]. Can they take care of the ball and can they shoot well enough from the perimeter to take care of the Demons? They certainly could, there is big talent in these guys. If you are in Bismarck tonight, this is must-watch basketball.</p> <h5><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>#2 West Fargo @ #3 Fargo Davies (7:30 start)</strong></span></h5> <p><em>Record</em>- Packers 4-0 Eagles 3-1</p> <p>This is a heavyweight EDC bout. The Packers have more experience after winning the State Championship last season and they have veteran guards. The Eagles have more depth with a wide array of lineups that they can play. Davies has a ton of firepower and quickness. West Fargo already beat Sheyenne this year and Sheyenne beat Davies. So, on paper West Fargo is the favorite. However, in crosstown heated rivalries like this, I think you throw that out the window. I think this game is a toss-up. I think the game will come down to who wins the matchups in the backcourt. For Davies it will be [player_tooltip player_id="1169136" first="Mason" last="Klabo"] and [player_tooltip player_id="812229" first="Ian" last="Motschenbacher"] vs. West Fargo’s [player_tooltip player_id="812231" first="Brett" last="Limke"] and [player_tooltip player_id="812219" first="Carson" last="Hegerle"]. This is an intriguing matchup. The other big matchup will be forwards [player_tooltip player_id="1167651" first="Max" last="Froslie"] from Davies vs. [player_tooltip player_id="1161460" first="Nick" last="Carlson"] from West Fargo. Who will step up and win this important EDC game right before Christmas? Get to south Fargo tonight if you want to find out.</p> <h4><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Best Games to Watch South Dakota</strong></span></h4> <h5><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Castlewood @ Flandreau (8:00 start)</strong></span></h5> <p><em>Record</em>- Flandreau 2-1 Castlewood 1-1</p> <p>Both squads have picked up at least one win on the year and they both have a loss. Flandreau is an A team and Castlewood is a B team. These games are always interesting. The Warriors would love to add a victory over an A squad and the Fliers probably "feel" like they should win because they are the bigger school. In this one, we have high-level talent on both sides. The Fliers have multiple options but the best two are [player_tooltip player_id="812206" first="Tash" last="Lunday"] and [player_tooltip player_id="968217" first="Chase" last="LeBrun"]. Lunday was All-State last season so he has some pedigree, he is also playing some PG this season. This year Tash is averaging 25.7 ppg, 12 rpg, 5.7 apg, and 2.3 spg. LeBrun is averaging 12.7 ppg and 7 rpg. It is going to come down to the Warriors slowing down the big horses for Flandreau. On the other side Castle wood has some nice players with [player_tooltip player_id="968158" first="Tristan" last="Nielsen"] and [player_tooltip player_id="963785" first="Carson" last="Kirwan"]. Nielson has high-scoring potential with great skill. Kirwan is a great athlete that can get the job down inside and out. The Warriors do have a young big man in [player_tooltip player_id="1327459" first="Bryon" last="Laue"] who could make a difference inside. This will be a fun one to see how the matchups work out and which players step up. If you are around the Castlewood area, make sure you get there for this one!</p> <h5><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Beresford @ #1 Sioux Valley (8:00 start)</strong></span></h5> <p><em>Record</em>- Beresford 0-2 Sioux Valley 1-0</p> <p>The season is very young for these squads. We have a Big East Conference showdown here! Beresford is looking for their first win of the season and it will be a tall task on the road against the #1 Team in Class A. They also have a new head coach, so I would expect them to continue to grow as they progress from game to game. The Watchdogs have plenty of talent to compete with the Cossacks. The top dogs are [player_tooltip player_id="812215" first="Ashton" last="Tjaden"], [player_tooltip player_id="968203" first="Isaiah" last="Richards"], and [player_tooltip player_id="1265477" first="Tate" last="VanOtterloo"]. They also have talented underclassmen. Sioux Valley is loaded with skill, shooters, athletes, and size. I think it’s going to come down to if Beresford can limit [player_tooltip player_id="963744" first="Oliver" last="Vincent"] and [player_tooltip player_id="968190" first="Parker" last="Puetz"] with Richards and with anyone else they can get help from. That is asking a lot against the Cossack backcourt. The other thing to look for is the forward matchups. Beresford has a nice group with Tjaden and VanOtterloo and they will be going up against stiff competition with [player_tooltip player_id="812212" first="Hayden" last="Ruesink"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1266223" first="Alec" last="Squires"]. Will Beresford be able to keep it close and make it interesting down the stretch? Only time will tell. Both sides have talented players, that is for sure. </p> <h5><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Sioux Falls Jefferson @ Sioux Falls Lincoln (7:00 start)</strong></span></h5> <p><em>Record</em>- SF Jefferson 1-2 SF Lincoln 1-1</p> <p>This will be a fun one in Sioux Falls. This is the first year for Jefferson as they are a new high school. They already made history earlier this season when they picked up the first-ever victory for the boy’s varsity program with a win over Brandon Valley. Jefferson is young as they do not have a senior class. The two big names for Jefferson are [player_tooltip player_id="963741" first="Taylen" last="Ashley"] and [player_tooltip player_id="963748" first="Kaden" last="Year"]. Ashley is the speedy, creative, playmaking, likely All-State point guard for Jefferson. Year is the second half of the Jefferson dynamic duo. He is much improved since last year with added strength and confidence. The big name for Lincoln is [player_tooltip player_id="1265221" first="JT" last="Rock"]. If you live in South Dakota and you have not heard of him, I don’t know what to tell you. He is an uber-talented 7-footer that loads of Division 1 Colleges are after. The next name to watch out for tonight is [player_tooltip player_id="963749" first="Elliot" last="Whitney"]. Whitney is having a nice start to the year. He is the sniper and creator for the Patriots. Tonight is going to come down to slowing down Ashley and not letting Rock take over the game. If you live in Sioux Falls and are a hoops fan, I suspect that you will be in the stands. </p>