WDA Tournament First Round Preview

With the WDA tournament starting this Thursday its time to discuss the match-ups and players we will be seeing hit the hardwood. 

#1 Minot v. #8 Jamestown 3pm

Starting off Thursday we have Jamestown taking on the top team in the West. This game won’t be easy for the Blue and White as the Magicians are 19-2, but an important thing to note is that one of those loses came at the hands of the Bluejays. If anyone were to have confidence coming in as the eight seed with the match-up it would be coach Jacoby Lloyd and his crew. As a team Jamestown has been respectable in their field goal percentage, points allowed per game, rebounding, and steals. All things that will come in handy in such an important game. Players that will be key in their playoff success are Adam Kallenbach Adam Kallenbach 6'0" | SG Jamestown | 2022 State ND , Ryan Larson Ryan Larson 6'3" | SG Jamestown | 2024 State ND , and Luke Van Berkom Luke Van Berkom 6'8" | PF Jamestown | 2022 State ND . On the Minot side they were successful in points per game, field goal percentage, and points allowed per game. Their strength has definitely been holding teams to low scoring affairs and there’s no doubt that they will try to keep that going in the postseason. Magicians that will contribute highly in the tournament are Darik Dissette Darik Dissette 6'4" | SG Minot | 2023 State #300 Nation ND , Eric Wentz Eric Wentz 6'2" | SG Minot | 2022 State ND , Morgan Nygaard Morgan Nygaard 5'11" | PG Minot | 2023 State ND , and Logan Conklin Logan Conklin 6'5" | SF Minot | 2024 State ND . 

#4 St. Mary’s v. #5 Dickinson 4:45pm

Next we’ve got the two teams with the closest seeding, the Midgets and the Saints. In the regular season St.Marys swept Dickinson with the last game only being a two points affair. When it comes to points per game and free throw percentage, the Orange and Black take the cake. But in the categories of field goal percentage, 3pt field goal percentage, points allowed per game, rebounding, assists, steals, and blocks, the Saints were better. Players for the Midgets that will have an impact are Alex Dvorak Alex Dvorak 6'1" | PG Dickinson | 2023 State ND , Isaac Daley Isaac Daley 6'4" | SG Dickinson | 2022 ND , and Britton Cranston Britton Cranston 5'10" | SG Dickinson | 2022 State ND . For St. Mary’s we’ve got Garrett Bader Garrett Bader 6'2" | SG Bismarck St. Mary's | 2022 State ND , Evan Gross Evan Gross 6'3" | SG Bismarck St. Mary's | 2022 State ND , Nate Fedorchak Nate Fedorchak 6'1" | SG Bismarck St. Mary's | 2022 State ND , and Easton Hinnenkamp. 

#2 Century v. #7 Mandan 6:30pm

In the third slot we’ve got the high scoring Century Patriots facing off with the Mandan Braves. This game won’t be easy for the latter because of the Red and Blue’s ability to put up points, shoot a good percentage from the field and arc, hold their opponents to a low scoring night, rebound the ball, and move the rock. They’ve also got star players in Isaiah Schafer Isaiah Schafer 6'1" | CG Bismarck Century | 2024 State #246 Nation ND , Anthony Doppler Anthony Doppler 6'4" | SG Bismarck Century | 2023 State ND , and Ryan Erikson Ryan Erikson 6'10" | C Bismarck Century | 2023 State ND who will be hard to stop. The Braves on the other hand shoot a respectable percentage from the field, move the ball really well, and are decent from the stripe. Guys for them who will make an impact are Aaron Grubb Aaron Grubb 6'3" | PF Mandan | 2022 State ND , Tahrye Frank Tahrye Frank 6'0" | SG Mandan | 2023 State ND , and Luke Darras.

#3 Bismarck High v. #6 Legacy 8:15pm

Lastly we will see the highest scoring team in the West, Bismarck High, take on a Legacy squad who is second in opponents points per game. When you watch the Demons you are guaranteed to get lots of points, tough rebounding, a high assist total, plenty of steals, and a few big rejections. They are a confident squad who knows how to get high numbers, and it will be interesting to see if their style bodes well. Players to watch for them include Treysen Eaglestaff Treysen Eaglestaff 6'5" | SF Bismarck | 2022 State ND , George Gillette George Gillette 6'2" | SG Bismarck | 2022 State ND , and Kyler Scott. The Sabers counter with being a top three point shooting team, tough defensive squad, and an unselfish group. Guys on this team that will contribute in the postseason are Jaxon Kellogg Jaxon Kellogg 6'3" | PG Bismarck Legacy | 2023 State ND , Zander Albers Zander Albers 6'5" | PF Bismarck Legacy | 2022 State ND , Logan Wetzel Logan Wetzel 6'3" | SG Bismarck Legacy | 2022 State ND , and Brayden Weidner. To beat this Bismarck High team Legacy will have to bring that defensive presence that they did all year, and hope that things fall their way.