WDA Game Report: Minot v. Century
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In a battle between the top two teams in the Western Dakota Conference, the Minot Magicians went home with the victory over the Bismarck Century Patriots. The game featured a lower scoring affair as fans saw the final amount to…
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Continue ReadingIn a battle between the top two teams in the Western Dakota Conference, the Minot Magicians went home with the victory over the Bismarck Century Patriots. The game featured a lower scoring affair as fans saw the final amount to 59-52. Although both teams have played another team since their respective records currently sit at 18-2 for Minot, and 17-3 for Century. With a crop of talented players on both sides lets dive deeper into this hardwood show-down.
Minot Magicians
In their win over Century the Magicians found success in their field goal percentage. Shooting 57.9% in any game is a recipe for success, and with the lack of three point makes they had, it was just what Minot needed. Other areas where they edged out the Patriots consists of points per possession, points off turnovers, second chance points, scoring in the paint, and defensive rebounds. Some of these may have been very minuscule differences but in such a close game every inch matters and Minot won the inches. One area of the contest where they struggled was from beyond the arc going 3/22, although it was the perfect game to do so as Century was even colder. With this win the Minot Magicians solidified themselves as the top team in the West, and with the playoffs coming up this game couldn’t have come at a better time.
Darik Dissette Darik Dissette 6'4" | SG Minot | 2023 State #300 Nation ND – 26 points 6 rebounds FG Per. 58%
Eric Wentz Eric Wentz 6'2" | SG Minot | 2022 State ND – 11 points 14 rebounds 2 assists
Morgan Nygaard – 10 points 2 rebounds 2 steals
Bismarck Century Patriots
Although it was ultimately a loss for the Patriots, they can hang their hat on the fact that it was close. Holding the top team in the West to their lowest scoring win of the season is a moral confidence booster as we near the postseason. Some areas where Century beat out Minot include free throw percentage, transition points, offensive rebounds, assists, deflections, and steals. A big reason for their defeat was the Patriots uncharacteristic night shooting the ball from beyond the arc, going a dismal 2/22. What I take from this game is that it was a very off night for the Red and Blue, and given the chance to play Minot again they would come out a lot more focused on offense and play like we know they are capable of.
Anthony Doppler Anthony Doppler 6'4" | SG Bismarck Century | 2023 State ND – 14 points 8 rebounds 4 assists
Isaiah Schafer Isaiah Schafer 6'1" | CG Bismarck Century | 2024 State ND – 12 points 2 steals
Tyler Birst Tyler Birst 6'0" | PG Bismarck Century | 2023 State ND – 9 points 3 steals
Ryan Erikson Ryan Erikson 6'10" | C Bismarck Century | 2023 State ND – 8 points 5 rebounds
All stats were taken from the Western Dakota Association Website.