ND Class B: Week 9 Power Rankings

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!

#1 Four Winds-Minnewaukan (11-0)

Recent Games: WIN 81-37 @ Lakota, WIN 90-40 vs. Dunseith

Next Game: 1/30 @ St. John

Info: 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: Deng Deng Deng Deng 6'5" | SF Four Winds/Minnewaukan | 2024 State ND 24 pts, 16 reb, 5 ast, 6 stl, Dalen Leftbear Dalen Leftbear 6'3" | SF FourWinds/Minnewaukan | 2024 State ND 14 pts, 5 reb, 3 ast, 3 stl, Kylon Keja 14 pts, 4 reb, 1 steal, Keyshawn St. Pierre Keyshawn St. Pierre 5'8" | SG Four Winds/Minnewaukan | 2024 State ND 10 pts, 2 reb, 1 ast, 2 stl, Wade Nestell Wade Nestell 6'0" | SG Four Winds/Minnewaukan | 2024 State ND 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.

#2 Central Cass (13-0)

Recent Games: WIN 81-48 @ Enderlin, WIN 61-58 vs. Oak Grove, WIN 61-52 @ HCV

Next Game: 2/3 vs. Grafton

Info: The Squirrels picked up two Region 1 wins and a nice cross-Region win over the Burros. On Saturday evening, Cole Holzer Cole Holzer 6'6" Central Cass | 2024 ND poured in 20 pts, and Carter Vrchota Carter Vrchota 6'0" | SG Central Cass | 2024 State ND went for 15 pts. 11 of those points came in the 4th quarter for Holzer. Mason Bosse Mason Bosse 6'0" | SG Central Cass | 2023 State ND 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!

#3 Bishop Ryan (11-1)

Recent Games: WIN 90-33 @ Glenburn, WIN 78-38 vs. South Prairie

Next Game: 1/31 vs. Our Redeemer’s

Info: Another week and two dominant performances by the Lions! Stat leaders from the South Prairie victory: Brady Feller Brady Feller 6'2" | SG Bishop Ryan | 2023 State ND 24 pts, Ramsey Walz Ramsey Walz 6'7" | PF Bishop Ryan | 2025 State ND 16 pts, Ian Johnson Ian Johnson 6'4" Bishop Ryan | 2023 ND 14 pts, Conner Thompson 8 pts & 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.

#4 Beulah (10-1)

Recent Games: WIN 74-60 @ Wilton-Wing, WIN 71-34 vs. Killdeer

Next Game: 1/31 @ Glen Ullin-Hebron

Info: 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 Trace Beauchamp Trace Beauchamp 6'4" | SG Beulah | 2024 State ND with 24 pts, 7 reb, 7 ast, and Jack Koppelsloen Jack Koppelsloen 5'9" | SG Beulah | 2023 State ND 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. Trace Beauchamp Trace Beauchamp 6'4" | SG Beulah | 2024 State ND had 20 pts, 6 reb, 6 ast, Aiden O’Brien Aiden O’Brien 5'11" | CG Beulah | 2024 State ND had 13 pts, 4 reb, 1 ast, and Tarren Larson Tarren Larson 6'3" | SF Beulah | 2023 State ND 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.

#5 Sargent County (13-0)

Recent Games: WIN 72-51 @ Tiospa Zina, WIN 64-55 vs. Hankinson

Next Game: 2/2 vs. Wyndmere-Lidgerwood

Info: The leadership of Luke Martinson Luke Martinson 6'4" | PF Sargent County | 2024 State ND 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. Gaven Christianson Gaven Christianson 6'0" | PF Sargent County | 2023 State ND 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. Nick Hansen Nick Hansen 5'11" | CG Sargent County | 2024 ND has really started to take the next steps for the Bulldogs. Cruz Hernandez Cruz Hernandez 5'11" | SG Hankinson | 2023 State ND 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.

#6 Ellendale (14-0)

Recent Games: WIN 74-62 vs. Barnes County North, WIN 58-44 vs. Lisbon

Next Game: 1/31 vs. Edgeley-Kulm-Montpelier

Info: All the Cardinals know how to do is win! They are a different team this year with Scott Wagner 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.

#7 Thompson (9-3)

Recent Games: WIN 75-31 @ Larimore, WIN 77-34 vs. Park River-Fordville-Lankin

Next Games: 1/30 vs. Drayton-Valley-Edinburg

Info: 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. Karter Peterson Karter Peterson 6'6" | PF Thompson | 2025 State ND vs. Erik Foster Erik Foster 6'5" | PF Rugby | 2023 State ND will be a fun matchup to watch when the Tommies play the Panthers.

#8 Shiloh Christian (8-3)

Recent Games: WIN 76-53 vs. #10 Standing Rock, WIN 71-67 @ Rugby

Next Game: 1/31 vs. Central McLean

Info: 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.

#9 Grafton (8-3)

Recent Games: LOST 82-73 @ Grand Forks Central, WIN 84-53 vs. North Border

Next Game: 1/31 @ May-Port CG

Info: Check HERE 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 & 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?

#10 North Prairie (12-2)

Recent Games: WIN 62-43 vs. Harvey-Wells County, WIN 73-48 @ New Rockford-Sheyenne

Next Game: 1/30 @ Dakota Prairie

Info: The Cougars are stacking up the wins as a new co-op and they are led by Mitchell Leas Mitchell Leas 6'0" | PG Rolla | 2023 State ND 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 Jeffry Rosinski Jeffry Rosinski 6'4" | SF North Prairie | 2025 State ND , Blake Mattson Blake Mattson 6'2" | SF North Prairie | 2024 State ND , Nate Tastad Nate Tastad 6'5" | PF North Prairie | 2024 State ND , and Montgomery Grant. 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 Four Winds-Minnewaukan in the Region Championship at Devils Lake?