Upcoming Games To Watch: Class A

In this article I discuss some of the forthcoming games in North Dakota Class A boys basketball that I believe will be “must watch” entertainment. 

Century @ Bismarck High – January 21st

After seeing the instant classic that took place between these two teams this past Tuesday, I think its safe to say that the rematch is highly anticipated. With both teams scoring over one hundred points in the first meeting, and their stars showing up when it mattered most, fans were not disappointed watching the top two WDA teams go head to head. On the Bismarck High side of things we saw Treysen Eaglestaff Treysen Eaglestaff 6'5" | SF Bismarck | 2022 State ND erupt for 52 points, 11 rebounds, and 9 assists, not something you see every day. For Century, big man Ryan Erikson Ryan Erikson 6'10" | C Bismarck Century | 2023 State ND finished with 28 and 11 while Isaiah Schafer Isaiah Schafer 6'1" | CG Bismarck Century | 2024 State #246 Nation ND went for 27. Other Patriots that contributed were Anthony Doppler Anthony Doppler 6'4" | SG Bismarck Century | 2023 State ND who had 22 and William Ware William Ware 6'7" | SF Bismarck Century | 2023 State ND who finished with 13. With Bismarck High sitting at 6-0, and the Century Patriots having a record of 6-1, you better believe the showdown later this month is going to live up to expectations. 

Fargo Davies @ West Fargo Sheyenne – February 1st

With the Sheyenne Mustangs winning their first contest over Davies 74-67, you best bet that the Eagles are going to play two times as hard in the rematch. In game one we saw the visiting Mustangs score evenly throughout their top players. Dominic Dosmann Dominic Dosmann 6'8" | PF WF Sheyenne | 2022 State ND led the way with 19, youngster Caleb Duerr Caleb Duerr 6'4" | SG West Fargo Sheyenne | 2024 State ND had 13, and Michael Nhial Michael Nhial 6'7" | SF West Fargo Sheyenne | 2022 State ND surprisingly only had 12. On Davies side of things the backcourt did their thing with Mason Klabo Mason Klabo 6'1" | PG Fargo Davies | 2025 State ND scoring 24 points and Ian Motschenbacher Ian Motschenbacher 6'1" | PG Fargo Davies | 2022 State ND puting up 18. With the Mustangs being tied for first place sitting at 6-1, and the Davies Eagles right behind them at 4-1, the rematch has everything you need for a great basketball game. 

Fargo North @ West Fargo – February 1st

After the first match-up between these two talents teams ended 82-81 in favor of West Fargo, you can’t help but be excited for the rematch. In the first contest players from both sides showed up ready for a fight. On the Packers side Brett Limke Brett Limke 6'1" | PG West Fargo | 2022 State ND poured in 6 three point makes along with 4 steals while Carson Hegerle Carson Hegerle 6'3" | SG West Fargo | 2022 State ND looked good on both the boards and in the scoring column. Other West Fargo players that contributed include Parker Nelson Parker Nelson 5'11" | SG West Fargo | 2022 State ND , Nick Carlson Nick Carlson 6'4" | SF West Fargo | 2022 State ND , and Foday Sheriff. For Fargo North Jeremiah Sem Jeremiah Sem 6'3" | SG Fargo North | 2024 State #212 Nation ND had 26 points with 7 steals, Isaac Cody Isaac Cody 6'3" | SG Fargo North | 2022 State ND contributed 15, and Carter Zeller Carter Zeller 6'6" | PF Fargo North | 2024 State ND put up 16 points and 13 rebounds. With the Packers sitting atop of the EDC at 6-1, and the Spartans not far behind at 5-2, you can bet that the second meeting between these two with have even higher stakes than the first time. 

Grand Forks Red River @ Fargo Shanley – February 3rd

Although both of these teams currently fall in the middle of the pack in terms of EDC rank, that doesn’t mean that this game isn’t of high importance. With Red River sitting at a record of 3-2, and Shanley right below at 3-4, this future game could a have strong influence on where both teams will be at in the standings. In the first meeting the RoughRiders took home the win over the Spartans in overtime 66-64. For Grand Forks Zach Kraft Zach Kraft 6'2" | PG Grand Forks Red River | 2023 State ND poured in two shots from beyond the arc and had 11, Reis Rowekamp Reis Rowekamp 6'4" | SG Grand Forks Red River | 2023 State ND finished with 17, Paine Parks Paine Parks 6'3" | SG Grand Forks Red River | 2022 State ND dominated the boards with 16 points/14 rebounds, and Gunnar Heuchert had 15. For Shanley we saw Conner Kraft Conner Kraft 6'8" | PF Shanley | 2023 State ND show nice touch from the three point line along with dominating the boards, and Tyler Kraft Tyler Kraft 6'3" | SG Fargo Shanley | 2022 State ND finish with 11. Other Deacons that contributed include Vuciri Hakim Vuciri Hakim 6'4" | SF Shanley | 2023 State ND and Jack Pollert. With so many talented players on both side, I can’t wait to see how the rematch pans out come February.  

(All stats are taken from Hudl and/or DigitalScout)