ND Class B: Week 9 Power Rankings

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It seemed like we waited all fall for the season to start and now we are already 9 weeks into the Class B season and we will be in February this coming week. Regional Tournaments start on March 6th, so "Tourney Time" is right around the corner! With that being said...let's check out the updated Power Rankings!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1606306,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/NorthDakota.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/NorthDakota.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-1606306" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong>#1 Four Winds-Minnewaukan (11-0)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Recent Games:</strong> <em>WIN 81-37</em> @ <strong>Lakota</strong>, <em>WIN 90-40</em> vs. <strong>Dunseith </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Next Game:</strong> 1/30 @ <strong>St. John</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Info:</strong> The Indians picked up two more wins this week and they remain undefeated. These were both blowout victories and it appears that FWM is a step above everyone else at this point in the season. Stat leaders from the Dunseith W: [player_tooltip player_id='1144580' first='Deng' last='Deng'] 24 pts, 16 reb, 5 ast, 6 stl, [player_tooltip player_id='1144581' first='Dalen' last='Leftbear'] 14 pts, 5 reb, 3 ast, 3 stl, <strong>Kylon Keja</strong> 14 pts, 4 reb, 1 steal, [player_tooltip player_id='1563465' first='Keyshawn' last='St. Pierre'] 10 pts, 2 reb, 1 ast, 2 stl, [player_tooltip player_id='1185124' first='Wade' last='Nestell'] 8 pts, 5 reb, 6 ast, 2 stl. Tomorrow's matchup with St. John should be a fun one. The Woodchucks are a skilled group with some serious shooters and some impressive athletes. Woodchucks vs. Indians will be a fun game to watch on Monday night. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong>#2 Central Cass (13-0)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Recent Games: </strong><em>WIN 81-48</em> @ <strong>Enderlin</strong>, <em>WIN 61-58</em> vs. <strong>Oak Grove</strong>, <em>WIN 61-52</em> @ <strong>HCV </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Next Game:</strong> 2/3 vs. <strong>Grafton</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Info:</strong> The Squirrels picked up two Region 1 wins and a nice cross-Region win over the Burros. On Saturday evening, [player_tooltip player_id='1617813' first='Cole' last='Holzer'] poured in 20 pts, and [player_tooltip player_id='1144577' first='Carter' last='Vrchota'] went for 15 pts. 11 of those points came in the 4th quarter for Holzer. [player_tooltip player_id='1176197' first='Mason' last='Bosse'] had a nice week with 25 pts against Enderlin and a huge 9 points in the 4th quarter against Oak Grove. The Squirrels took some lumps this past week, but the players were resilient, executed in crunch time, and they stayed undefeated. The great teams find ways to win!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong>#3 Bishop Ryan (11-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Recent Games:</strong> <em>WIN 90-33</em> @ <strong>Glenburn</strong>, <em>WIN 78-38</em> vs. <strong>South Prairie </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Next Game:</strong> 1/31 vs. <strong>Our Redeemer's</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Info:</strong> Another week and two dominant performances by the Lions! Stat leaders from the South Prairie victory: [player_tooltip player_id='1138815' first='Brady' last='Feller'] 24 pts, [player_tooltip player_id='1189452' first='Ramsey' last='Walz'] 16 pts, [player_tooltip player_id='1617814' first='Ian' last='Johnson'] 14 pts, <strong>Conner Thompson</strong> 8 pts &amp; 8 reb. The Lions have a big week ahead of them with two Region 6 games and a heavyweight matchup on Saturday with Dickinson Trinity. The Lions will be favored in all 3 of these matchups but Trinity is no slouch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong>#4 Beulah (10-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Recent Games:</strong> <em>WIN 74-60</em> @ <strong>Wilton-Wing</strong>, <em>WIN 71-34</em> vs. <strong>Killdeer</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Next Game:</strong> 1/31 @ <strong>Glen Ullin-Hebron</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Info:</strong> Against Wilton, the Miners had 4 players score in double figures. Beulah had 25 assists and they shot 7 of 11 from 3pt-land. The Miners were led by [player_tooltip player_id='1144977' first='Trace' last='Beauchamp'] with 24 pts, 7 reb, 7 ast, and [player_tooltip player_id='1186849' first='Jack' last='Koppelsloen'] went for 12 pts, 6 ast. In the Killdeer game, the Miners had 3 players score in double figures and 2 more guys with 8 points. [player_tooltip player_id='1144977' first='Trace' last='Beauchamp'] had 20 pts, 6 reb, 6 ast, [player_tooltip player_id='1144978' first='Aiden' last='O'Brien'] had 13 pts, 4 reb, 1 ast, and [player_tooltip player_id='1186850' first='Tarren' last='Larson'] went for 10 pts, and 7 reb. On Tuesday, the Miners have an important Region 7 matchup with the Bearcats. There will be a large amount of talent on the floor in that Region clash. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong>#5 Sargent County (13-0)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Recent Games:</strong> <em>WIN 72-51</em> @ <strong>Tiospa Zina</strong>, <em>WIN 64-55</em> vs. <strong>Hankinson</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Next Game: </strong>2/2 vs. <strong>Wyndmere-Lidgerwood</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Info:</strong> The leadership of [player_tooltip player_id='1145108' first='Luke' last='Martinson'] really showed out this week for the Bulldogs. Sargent County had some sickness go through their team and they had a few guys missing early in the week. Martinson really took control of the game down in South Dakota. [player_tooltip player_id='1693907' first='Gaven' last='Christianson'] had a fantastic week. He had 25 and 7 against TZ and then 21 and 8 against Hankinson. Christianson has been phenomenal all season and he should not be underestimated. [player_tooltip player_id='1694357' first='Nick' last='Hansen'] has really started to take the next steps for the Bulldogs. [player_tooltip player_id='1138685' first='Cruz' last='Hernandez'] from Hankinson is a great basketball player and it felt like Hansen gave him trouble. Cruz was held to 10 points against the Bulldogs and a lot of that came when Hansen was not guarding him. There is no question that the Bulldogs are the real deal! They have all the pieces.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong>#6 Ellendale (14-0)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Recent Games:</strong> <em>WIN 74-62</em> vs.<strong> Barnes County North</strong>, <em>WIN 58-44</em> vs. <strong>Lisbon</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Next Game:</strong> 1/31 vs. <strong>Edgeley-Kulm-Montpelier</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Info:</strong> All the Cardinals know how to do is win! They are a different team this year with <strong>Scott Wagner</strong> graduating but the Cards are still winning a ton of games. Ellendale only has one game this coming week vs. EKM but it is an important matchup as this is a Region 3 matchup and a rivalry game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong>#7 Thompson (9-3)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Recent Games:</strong> <em>WIN 75-31</em> @ <strong>Larimore</strong>, <em>WIN 77-34</em> vs. <strong>Park River-Fordville-Lankin</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Next Games:</strong> 1/30 vs. <strong>Drayton-Valley-Edinburg</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Info:</strong> The Tommies trounced two Region 2 teams this week. Coming up, Thompson has a Region 2 game on Monday and a cross-Region game with a solid Rugby team on Thursday. [player_tooltip player_id='1165392' first='Karter' last='Peterson'] vs. [player_tooltip player_id='1050250' first='Erik' last='Foster'] will be a fun matchup to watch when the Tommies play the Panthers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong>#8 Shiloh Christian (8-3)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Recent Games:</strong> <em>WIN 76-53</em> vs. #10 <strong>Standing Rock</strong>, <em>WIN 71-67</em> @ <strong>Rugby</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Next Game:</strong> 1/31 vs. <strong>Central McLean</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Info:</strong> The Skyhawks had a great week while picking up two legit W's. Standing Rock was ranked #10 and a Region 5 foe, Rugby has a nice team and a traditional power in Class B. This week, the Skyhawks face Central McLean, New Salem-Almont, and Washburn. Expect Shiloh to pick up 3 three more comfortable wins. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong>#9 Grafton (8-3)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Recent Games:</strong> <em>LOST 82-73</em> @ <strong>Grand Forks Central</strong>, <em>WIN 84-53</em> vs. <strong>North Border</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Next Game:</strong> 1/31 @ <strong>May-Port CG</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Info: </strong>Check <a href="https://prephoops.com/2023/01/class-b-action-8-north-border-vs-9-grafton/">HERE</a> for info on the North Border game. The Spoilers shot the lights out against the Eagles and proved to be a talented team with big scoring ability. Grafton is young, but they have the scoring &amp; skill to compete with anyone. It looks like the Spoliers will have an interesting week, they play at May-Port CG and at Central Cass. We will know much more about Grafton a week from today. Are the Spoilers contenders or pretenders? </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong>#10 North Prairie (12-2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Recent Games:</strong> <em>WIN 62-43</em> vs. <strong>Harvey-Wells County</strong>, <em>WIN 73-48</em> @ <strong>New Rockford-Sheyenne</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Next Game:</strong> 1/30 @ <strong>Dakota Prairie</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Info:</strong> The Cougars are stacking up the wins as a new co-op and they are led by [player_tooltip player_id='1138794' first='Mitchell' last='Leas'] who has well over 1,000 career points. Leas is a skilled/smart G, and an All-State talent. The Cougars have plenty of other nice players with [player_tooltip player_id='1721143' first='Jeffry' last='Rosinski'], [player_tooltip player_id='1721472' first='Blake' last='Mattson'], [player_tooltip player_id='1721150' first='Nate' last='Tastad'], and <strong>Montgomery Grant</strong>. As of right now, it looks like the Cougars are the 2nd best team in Region 4. It is still early to predict, but PHD is wondering if the Cougars can meet <strong>Four Winds-Minnewaukan</strong> in the Region Championship at Devils Lake? </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->