ND Class B: Week 7 Power Rankings
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We had another entertaining week of Class B basketball! PHD’s Power Rankings had a big shake-up once again. We have team’s dropping out, familiar teams hopping back in, and a couple of new teams making their debut this week. See…
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Continue ReadingWe had another entertaining week of Class B basketball! PHD’s Power Rankings had a big shake-up once again. We have team’s dropping out, familiar teams hopping back in, and a couple of new teams making their debut this week. See below for scores, schedules, and team/player information. Good luck to everyone in week 7!
POWER RANKINGS
#1 Four Winds-Minnewaukan (7-0)
Recent Game: WIN 69-47 @ Hillsboro-Central Valley
Next Game: 1/16 @ Benson County
Info: The Indians hit the road this past week and they took care of the Burros with a 22-point win. Stat leaders: Deng Deng Deng Deng 6'5" | SF Four Winds/Minnewaukan | 2024 ND 24 pts, 6 reb, 3 ast, 3 stl, Dalen Leftbear Dalen Leftbear 6'3" | SF FourWinds/Minnewaukan | 2024 State ND 23 pts, 5 reb, 4 ast, 6 stl. Wade Nestell Wade Nestell 6'0" | SG Four Winds/Minnewaukan | 2024 State ND 8 pts, 2 reb, 7 ast, 4 stl. The Benson County matchup on Monday should not be much of a game, but on Friday they host North Star. They just played on the 7th and 4Winds won by 26. The Bearcats will be looking for some revenge. Anytime Deng Deng Deng Deng 6'5" | SF Four Winds/Minnewaukan | 2024 ND and Dane Hagler Dane Hagler 6'4" | SG North Star | 2024 ND are on the court together, that is must-watch basketball! I know what game I will be watching Friday night.
#2 Central Cass (9-0)
Recent Games: WIN 77-41 @ Wyndmere-Lidgerwood, WIN 63-28 vs. Carrington, WIN 68-19 vs. Northern Cass
Next Game: 1/17 @ Jamestown vs. Linton/HMB
Info: The Squirrels were red hot last week and they picked up 3 large margin wins. In their last game vs NCass, CC scorched the nets with 10 triples and they shot an impressive 45.5% from beyond the arc. Stats from the Jaguar win: Carter Vrchota Carter Vrchota 6'1" | SG Central Cass | 2024 State ND 13 pts, 3 reb, 2 ast. Mason Bosse Mason Bosse 6'0" | SG Central Cass | 2023 State ND 12 pts, 8 reb, 2 ast, 1 stl. Sam Kobbervig Sam Kobbervig 6'3" | SG Central Cass | 2023 State ND 11 pts, 2 reb, 6 ast, 4 stl. Eli Buhr Eli Buhr 6'2" | SG Central Cass | 2024 State ND 9 pts, 6 reb, 1 ast, 1 stl. Cole Holzer 8 pts, 6 reb, 2 ast. The Lion matchup on Tuesday could be a good one. Linton has multiple guys that can shoot it with precision and they have a couple of BIGs inside that could give CC some problems. Both teams match up fairly well. The Squirrels could be challenged a bit, at the same time, CC is playing great. This should be a fun one on Tuesday night.
#3 Bishop Ryan (7-1)
Recent Games: WIN 65-46 @ Velva, WIN 80-27 @ Berthold, WIN 80-48 vs. Bottineau
Next Game: 1/16 vs. Des Lacs-Burlington
Info: Much like CC, Ryan took care of business and won 3 games with a comfortable spread. Leading scorers in the Bottineau win: Brady Feller Brady Feller 6'2" | SG Bishop Ryan | 2023 State ND with 32 points and Ramsey Walz Ramsey Walz 6'7" | PF Bishop Ryan | 2025 State #313 Nation ND had 15 points. Carson Merck dished out an impressive 7 assists in that game as well. Tonight, the Lions have a huge matchup and rivalry game with the Lakers from DLB. Heading into the season, the Lions and Lakers were the favorites to win Region 6. As of now, the Lions look like the better team but the Lakers will be ready to challenge that tonight! It should be an entertaining contest in Minot this evening.
#4 Beulah (6-1)
Recent Games: WIN 76-41 vs. Hettinger-Scranton, WIN 51-46 vs. Shiloh Christian
Next Game: 1/17 @ New England
Info: The Miners proved that they are one of the best in North Dakota with the Friday night win over the Skyhawks. Scoring leaders from the Shiloh game: Trace Beauchamp Trace Beauchamp 6'4" | SG Beulah | 2024 State ND 17 pts and Braylen Schirado Braylen Schirado 6'0" | CG Beulah | 2026 State ND 16 pts. The Miners should pick up two more wins this week. Beulah is a scary team because they are well-coached, have the Larson brothers inside, and have a talented/balanced backcourt. They are the favorite in Region 7 as of now. However, there are 3 or 4 other teams in the Region that can give them a run for their money.
#5 Sargent County (9-0)
Recent Games: WIN 69-54 @ Maple River, WIN 49-45 vs. Kindred, WIN 68-65 vs. Edgeley-Kulm-Montpelier
Next Game: 1/17 @ Northern Cass
Info: Anytime that you can pick up two Region 1 W’s and beat a tough EKM team, it is a GREAT week! The Bulldogs have now asserted themselves as a serious contenter in Region 1. Season stat leaders for the Bulldogs: Gaven Christianson Gaven Christianson 6'0" | PF Sargent County | 2023 State ND 15.4 ppg, 11.1 ppg, Josh Wittich Josh Wittich 6'5" | PF Sargent County | 2024 State ND 13.8 ppg, 6.9 rpg, Fletcher Willprecht Fletcher Willprecht 5'9" | PG Sargent County | 2023 State ND 12.8 ppg, 2.5 apg, Luke Martinson Luke Martinson 6'4" | PF Sargent County | 2024 State ND 12.8 ppg, 4.3 rpg. The top 4 players for SC offer a balanced attack and they are all hard workers. The Bulldogs should have no trouble picking up two more wins this week. They do have Richland on Friday, keep eyes on that one as the Colts upset Oak Grove this past week.
#6 Ellendale (9-0)
Recent Games: WIN 58-37 @ Griggs-Midkota, WIN 68-43 vs. Medina-Pingree-Buchanan
Next Game: 1/17 @ Leola-Frederick
Info: They have not played a super tough schedule yet but they are getting the job done. The Cardinals play well together, are a seasoned group, have shooters, and are sneaky athletic. Riley Thorpe Riley Thorpe 6'1" | SG Ellendale | 2023 State ND and Anton Geller Anton Geller 6'1" | SF Ellendale | 2024 State ND are two of the top Cardinal players.
#7 Thompson (5-3)
Recent Games: WIN 80-30 vs. Langdon-Edmore-Munich, WIN 60-50 vs. Grafton
Next Game: 1/19 @ Cavalier
Info: The Tommies had a monster Region 2 win over Grafton. With that victory, Thompson now has control of the top seed in Region 2. There is still plenty of the season left, but the Tommies are in the driver’s seat for Region 2. Karter Peterson Karter Peterson 6'6" | PF Thompson | 2025 State ND , Jake Starcevic Jake Starcevic 6'2" | SF Kindred | 2025 State ND , and Drew Overby Drew Overby 6'1" | CG Thompson | 2024 State ND are the top dogs and big playmakers for Thompson. Brayden Wolfgram Brayden Wolfgram 5'10" | PG Thompson | 2024 State ND is another nice player for the Tommies. On Saturday, Thompson plays at HCV, which is a crucial Region matchup to keep track of.
#8 North Border (7-1)
Recent Games: WIN 74-20 vs. Drayton-Valley-Edinburg, WIN 83-46 vs. St. John
Next Game: 1/19 Langdon Area/Edmore/Munich
Info: The Eagles picked up two more wins. They really stuck it to the Woodchucks on Saturday in Devils Lake. I have watched St. John, and they have some talent. I was surprised a bit by that score but the Eagles are also playing well right now. Stats Leaders from St. John game: Ayden Stainbrook Ayden Stainbrook 6'5" | SF North Border | 2023 State ND 34 pts, 12 reb, 3 ast, Kyle Thomas 19 pts, 7 reb, TJ Cosley TJ Cosley 6'0" | PG North Border | 2023 State ND 13 pts, 2 reb, 6 ast, Grant Cosley Grant Cosley 6'0" | SG North Border | 2025 State ND 7 pts, 5 reb, 8 ast, Grayson Ohmann Grayson Ohmann 5'11" | SG North Border | 2024 ND 7 pts, 2 reb, 5 ast. The Eagles have a couple of days off from games. They have 2 non-region games coming up later in the week. They should flex their muscle against Langdon and then on Saturday the mighty Vikings head north for a must-see showdown. Ayden Stainbrook Ayden Stainbrook 6'5" | SF North Border | 2023 State ND vs. Karson Ouse Karson Ouse 6'8" | SF Kindred | 2025 State #283 Nation ND , you would have to look far and wide for a better Class B matchup.
#9 Glen Ullin-Hebron (10-1)
Recent Games: WIN 67-61 vs. Heart River, WIN 82-44 vs. Killdeer, WIN 54-37 vs. Grant County-Mott-Regent
Next Game: 1/16 @ Lemmon (SD)
Info: There are some dynamic backcourt duos in Region 7, and you can add Kanyon Unruh Kanyon Unruh 6'0" | SG Glen Ullin/Hebron | 2023 State ND and Ben Hosman Ben Hosman 5'11" | CG Glen Ullin/Hebron | 2023 State ND to that list! The senior guards have led the Bearcats to a 10-1 start this season with quality wins over Wilton-Wing (twice) and Garrison. One of the region’s new faces this year is junior Will Mickelson Will Mickelson 6'8" | PF Glen Ullin/Hebron | 2024 State ND , who at 6’8” has been able to protect the rim and provide opportunistic scoring. Senior Damian Gerving and sophomore Riley Schneider Riley Schneider 6'3" | SG Glen Ullin-Hebron | 2025 State ND give Coach Bruce Schatz a solid group of starters. The second half of the Glen Ullin/Hebron schedule is not for the faint of heart, and we will soon know if the Bearcats have what it takes to be a contender for the Region 7 title.
#10 North Star (7-2)
Recent Games: LOSS 59-48 at Rugby, WIN 67-37 vs. Hillsboro-Central Valley
Next Game: 1/16 vs. Langdon Area/Edmore/Munich
Info: The Bearcats picked up a nice win over HCV on Saturday at home. I don’t care where the game is played, beating HCV by 30 is impressive! Bearcat scoring from that game: Dane Hagler Dane Hagler 6'4" | SG North Star | 2024 ND 17 pts, Garrett Westlind 11 pts, Hunter Hagler Hunter Hagler 6'3" | SF North Star | 2026 State ND 11 pts, Brett Dilley Brett Dilley 6'3" | SF North Star | 2024 State ND 10 pts, Karsen Simon Karsen Simon 6'5" | SF North Star | 2024 State ND 9 pts, Parker Simon Parker Simon 6'4" | SF North Star | 2024 State ND 6 pts, Owen Kurtti 3 pts. I hate looking too far ahead, but the Bearcats have a major game on Friday at 4Winds. That will be a “prove it” game for both and the Bearcats will want revenge. North Star has to win tonight first before they can think about Friday.