Four Winds-Minnewaukan: Reigning State Champs

We are checking out the #1 team in Class B ND! The NDAPSSA polls came out last night and to no one’s surprise, FWM was on top. The Indians finished last season with a perfect 27-0 record. The Indians lost Jayden Yankton and Jacolby Pearson to graduation but they bring back many of the same guys from last year’s team. They also have multiple up-and-coming players that have potential but are unproven at the varsity level. Deng Deng Deng Deng 6'5" | SF Four Winds/Minnewaukan | 2024 State ND is the big name for this squad, he was named an All-State player last season. Deng is a special and rare athlete. 4WM has a ND legend leading them with Rick Smith.

Four Winds Minnewaukan opens up the season on Saturday at Oak Grove. The Indians always seem to have talent and they play a fun brand of basketball to watch, this year will be no exception. I will certainly be in the stands on Saturday to check them out. Look below for info on the Indians.

Top Returning Player Stats from 2021-2022

Deng Deng Deng Deng 6'5" | SF Four Winds/Minnewaukan | 2024 State ND (2024) |6’5 F| – 16.8 ppg, 1.9 apg, 7.6 rpg, 2.9 spg, 2.3 bpg, 61 FG%, 32 3FG%

Dalen Leftbear Dalen Leftbear 6'3" | SF FourWinds/Minnewaukan | 2024 State ND (2024) |6’3 SF| – 11.4 ppg, 2.3 apg, 5.5 rpg, 2.7 spg, 1 bpg, 55 FG%

Kelson Keja Kelson Keja 5'7" | PG Four Winds/Minnewaukan | 2023 State ND (2023) |5’7 PG| –  5 ppg, 4.1 apg, 2.1 rpg, 2.6 apg, 44 FG%, 34 3FG%

Wade Nestell Wade Nestell 6'0" | SG Four Winds/Minnewaukan | 2024 State ND (2024) |5-9 G| – 2.1 ppg, 1.6 apg, 2.2 rpg, 1.4 spg, 45 FG%

Team Stats 2021-2022

P: 27 PPG: 80.3 RPG: 30.5 APG: 17.4 SPG: 17.6 BPG: 4.9 

FG%: 51 2FG%: 58 3FGM: 150 3FG%: 31 FTM: 249 FT%: 68

Q&A with coach Rick Smith

PHD: How would you sum up last season?

Coach Smith: “It was a dream and magical season in 21 -22. It was something we never expected. We expected to be a very good team depending on how quickly the young guys grew up during the year. With a very inexperienced team, we finished with a dream season.“

PHD: What can you tell us about your offseason?

Coach Smith: “The offseason was very busy again as it usually is for our program. We attended several team camps in Bismarck, Devils Lake, Minneapolis, Lamoure, UND, and our own annual camp, we also participated in the Devils Lake League with varsity, JV, and jr. high teams. The boys stayed busy in the weight room and fitness centers working on their programs.“

PHD: Could you tell us up a few of your top players?

Coach Smith: “On our team, Deng Deng Deng Deng 6'5" | SF Four Winds/Minnewaukan | 2024 State ND and Dalen Leftbear Dalen Leftbear 6'3" | SF FourWinds/Minnewaukan | 2024 State ND are two of the better juniors in the state. They are in their second year in the starting line-up. They have continued to work on their game in and out of the gym year-round. Kelson Keja Kelson Keja 5'7" | PG Four Winds/Minnewaukan | 2023 State ND will be starting again at one of the guard positions. Kelson is as tough as they come. He has that never back down attitude and is a very good shooter from beyond the arc, which he never got to do much last year because of 4 other players that averaged double figures. Wade Nestell Wade Nestell 6'0" | SG Four Winds/Minnewaukan | 2024 State ND , will be another starter this year and one of the guard spots. He is very quick and a pest of the defensive side of the floor. He gained valuable experience coming off the bench last year as the 6th man. Kylon Keja, Keyshawn St. Pierre Keyshawn St. Pierre 5'8" | SG Four Winds/Minnewaukan | 2024 State ND , Brayden Thomas Brayden Thomas 6'4" | SF Four Winds/Minnewaukan | 2025 ND , Kashton Keja, Marial Deng Marial Deng 6'2" | SF Four Winds/Minnewaukan | 2026 State ND , and Keilan Longie will all be fighting for playing time. They all bring a unique and different quality to this team.“

PHD: Who are some young up-and-comers that we should know about?

Coach Smith: “We are still a very young team, with basically one senior getting the majority of court time. We have some very nice sophomores and freshmen that could see court time this year. Kashton Keja, Brayden Thomas Brayden Thomas 6'4" | SF Four Winds/Minnewaukan | 2025 ND , and Keilan Longie are very good sophomore players. Marial Deng Marial Deng 6'2" | SF Four Winds/Minnewaukan | 2026 State ND , Jonte Delorme, Rich Cavanaugh, and Clayton Dubois have talent in the freshmen class.“

PHD: What style of basketball should we expect from this team?

Coach Smith: “As always we like the up-tempo type of game on the offensive end, with limited turnovers. We have guys that can run the floor. On the defensive end, constant pressure on opposing teams. Besides Deng and Leftbear we are not very big, but very quick guards.“

PHD: Who are some of the top players in Region 4?

Coach Smith: “Besides Leftbear and Deng from our team, Dane Hagler Dane Hagler 6'4" | SG North Star | 2024 State ND -North Star, Mark Fassett Mark Fassett 6'0" | SG Warwick | 2023 State ND -Warwick, Brayton Baker Brayton Baker 6'3" | SF St. John | 2023 State ND -St. John, Mitchell Leas Mitchell Leas 6'0" | PG Rolla | 2023 State ND -North Prairie, Tate Grossman Tate Grossman 6'4" | SG Harvey/Wells County | 2023 State ND -Harvey/Wells County, are the top players in the region. Fassett and Leas have been long-time starters. They are both tough to match up with at the guard position. Fassett can post up from his point guard position, whereas Leas moves very well without the ball with lots of head fakes to get the defenders off-balanced. Baker is very long and athletic that can score from wherever. Hagler can also score from anywhere on the floor. Both are tough matchups. Grossman can score inside out. Probably the strongest player in the region.“

PHD: Who will be some of the top teams in Region 4?

Coach Smith: “North Star – Very big team. Simons and Haglers lead the way. Bisbee in-coming transfer gives them a solid nucleus for the next two years.”

“Warwick – Very scrappy with a don’t give up attitude. If Hunt can stay dedicated they are difficult to guard.“

“St. John – Injuries and transfers have hurt this team a bit. Still a very big team.“

“Harvey/Wells County – Grossman leads the way, if they can get bench play they can be right there again.“

“North Prairie – A very interesting first-year coop. Bring back a lot of starters. If they can mesh, they will be a very tough out at the end of the year.“

“Dunseith – Sleeper team. Very solid 5 players.“

Good Luck Indians!