ND Games To Watch This Week
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This will be the first full week of games with AA, A, and B playing. Who should you watch? See below, PHD has recommendations! PHD has Players To Watch, reasons to watch the games, and a few questions about each…
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Continue ReadingThis will be the first full week of games with AA, A, and B playing. Who should you watch? See below, PHD has recommendations!
PHD has Players To Watch, reasons to watch the games, and a few questions about each matchup.
Games to Watch This Week
Monday
LaMoure-Litchville-Marion (0-0) @ Sargent County (0-0)
WHY?
With both teams in Region 1, I feel like this could blossom into a rivalry game.
Both squads have impressive athletes, and seeing them get after each other will be fun.
Each team had a successful football season while winning many games, they should carry that into hoops.
These teams have players that we expect to be All-Region Players.
QUESTIONS
How will LLM defend the Bulldog BIGs?
Which team shoots it better from beyond the arc?
How does SC defend Max Musland Max Musland 6'4" | SG LaMoure-Litchville/Marion | 2024 State ND ?
What type of defense do the two teams play?
Is Sargent Central worthy of the top 5 ranking?
Players To Watch
LLM: Max Musland Max Musland 6'4" | SG LaMoure-Litchville/Marion | 2024 State ND , Brayan Karlgaard Brayan Karlgaard 6'3" | SF LaMoure-Litchville/Marion Loboes | 2025 State ND , Blase Isaacson Blase Isaacson 5'9" | CG LLM | 2024 State ND , Gunner Thielges Gunner Thielges 6'1" | CG LaMoure-Litchville/Marion | 2026 State ND , Avery Kramer Avery Kramer 5'10" | CG LaMoure-Litchville/Marion | 2026 State ND
SC: Luke Martinson Luke Martinson 6'4" | PF Sargent County | 2024 State ND , Josh Wittich Josh Wittich 6'5" | PF Sargent County | 2024 State ND , Nick Hansen Nick Hansen 5'11" | CG Sargent County | 2024 ND , Grady Wehlander Grady Wehlander 6'0" | SF Sargent County | 2024 State ND , Jace Fyre Jace Fyre 5'10" | CG Sargent County | 2026 State ND
Tuesday
Mandan (1-1) @ Bismarck (1-2)
WHY?
It is a Missouri River & WDA rivalry game!
Both teams like to play fast, it should make for an entertaining game.
There will be impressive next-level athletes on the court & this should be a high-scoring affair.
The Braves are looking to get above .500 and the Demons are trying to get to .500.
QUESTIONS
Who is the best junior on the court, Hudsen Sheldon Hudsen Sheldon 6'2" | SG Mandan | 2025 State ND or Andre’ Austin Andre’ Austin 6'3" | CG Bismarck | 2025 State #388 Nation ND ?
Can the Braves defend Jack Shaffer Jack Shaffer 6'7" | PF Bismarck | 2025 State ND , how do they do it?
Who is the best youngster on the court, Weston Scott Weston Scott 6'1" | SG Bismarck | 2027 State ND or B Rylee Bears Tail Rylee Bears Tail 6'3" | SG Mandan | 2026 State ND ?
Which squad hits more 3’s/is better from beyond the arc?
Who has the best defense, Brave or Demons?
Players To Watch
Mandan: Hudsen Sheldon Hudsen Sheldon 6'2" | SG Mandan | 2025 State ND , Rustin Medenwald Rustin Medenwald 6'2" | SF Mandan | 2024 State ND , TJ Brownotter TJ Brownotter 6'0" | SG Mandan | 2025 State ND , B Rylee Bears Tail Rylee Bears Tail 6'3" | SG Mandan | 2026 State ND , Rylee Bears Tail Rylee Bears Tail 6'3" | SG Mandan | 2026 State ND
Bismarck: Andre’ Austin Andre’ Austin 6'3" | CG Bismarck | 2025 State #388 Nation ND , Jack Shaffer Jack Shaffer 6'7" | PF Bismarck | 2025 State ND , Carter Henke Carter Henke 6'1" | SG Bismarck | 2024 ND , Teysean Eaglestaff Teysean Eaglestaff 6'7" | SF Bismarck | 2024 State ND , Preston Lemar Preston Lemar 6'3" | SG Bismarck | 2024 State ND
Thursday
Grafton (1-0) @ Four Winds-Minnewaukan (0-0)
WHY?
The Spoilers dismantled MPCG in game 1, they have all the pieces to be elite.
4Winds and Grafton both have studs, there will be plenty of firepower on the court.
This will be the first look at the Indians, Deng Deng Deng Deng 6'5" | SF Four Winds/Minnewaukan | 2024 ND & Dalen Leftbear Dalen Leftbear 6'3" | SF FourWinds/Minnewaukan | 2024 State ND are special players.
Both squads have the talent level to make the State Tournament.
QUESTIONS.
Who has more depth? On paper, it looks like Grafton.
Which team is better in the paint? Both squads have impressive size/forwards.
Who shoots it better from deep? Grafton has the edge going into this matchup.
Is Dalen Leftbear Dalen Leftbear 6'3" | SF FourWinds/Minnewaukan | 2024 State ND back to full strength & sharp? All signs lead me to believe, yes!
Players To Watch
Grafton: Braylon Baldwin Braylon Baldwin 5'11" | PG Grafton | 2024 State ND , Juan Villarreal Juan Villarreal 6'0" | SG Grafton | 2024 State ND , Reggie Rice Reggie Rice 6'5" | PF Grafton | 2026 State ND , Kyler Droog Kyler Droog 6'7" | PF Grafton | 2025 State ND , Brody Lillemoen Brody Lillemoen 6'6" | SF Grafton | 2026 State ND , Ryan Hanson Ryan Hanson 5'11" | SG Grafton | 2024 ND , Abram Sevigny Abram Sevigny 6'1" | SF Grafton | 2024 State ND
4WM: Deng Deng Deng Deng 6'5" | SF Four Winds/Minnewaukan | 2024 ND , Dalen Leftbear Dalen Leftbear 6'3" | SF FourWinds/Minnewaukan | 2024 State ND , Wade Nestell Wade Nestell 6'0" | SG Four Winds/Minnewaukan | 2024 State ND , Keyshawn St. Pierre Keyshawn St. Pierre 5'8" | SG Four Winds/Minnewaukan | 2024 State ND , Marial Deng Marial Deng 6'4" | SF Four Winds/Minnewaukan | 2026 State ND , Keilan Longie Keilan Longie 5'11" | SG Four Winds-Minnewaukan | 2025 State ND , Jonte Delorme Jonte Delorme 5'10" | SG Four Winds-Minnewaukan | 2026 State ND , Ron McKay Ron McKay 6'3" | SF Four Winds-Minnewaukan | 2025 State ND .
Friday
Hillsboro-Central Valley (0-0) @ Devils Lake (1-0)
WHY?
The Firebirds will be a “must-watch” team every time they hit the court this season.
Jacob Brandt Jacob Brandt 6'10" | PF Hillsboro/Central Valley | 2024 State ND vs. Oliver Wirth Oliver Wirth 6'6" | PF Devils Lake | 2025 State ND and the rest of DL will make for fun basketball.
Wylee Delorme Wylee Delorme 6'5" | SG Devils Lake | 2024 State ND & Parker Brodina are All-State players.
First game for the Burros as a Class A team.
QUESTIONS
Do Wylee Delorme Wylee Delorme 6'5" | SG Devils Lake | 2024 State ND & Parker Brodina look like All-State players?
How does the front court look for the Burros with Jacob Brandt Jacob Brandt 6'10" | PF Hillsboro/Central Valley | 2024 State ND & Landon Olson Landon Olson 6'3" | PF Hillsboro/Central Valley | 2024 State ND ?
What does HCV have in the backcourt?
Can HCV keep it close, can DL run-n-run on the former Class B team?
What does HCV have in the backcourt & how does DL shoot it from deep?
Players To Watch
HCV: Jacob Brandt Jacob Brandt 6'10" | PF Hillsboro/Central Valley | 2024 State ND , Landon Olson Landon Olson 6'3" | PF Hillsboro/Central Valley | 2024 State ND , Carter Limke Carter Limke 6'5" | SG Hillsboro/Central Valley | 2024 State ND , Dylan Mitzel
DL: Wylee Delorme Wylee Delorme 6'5" | SG Devils Lake | 2024 State ND , Parker Brodina, Joel Nelson Joel Nelson 6'6" | SF Devils Lake | 2025 State ND , Oliver Wirth Oliver Wirth 6'6" | PF Devils Lake | 2025 State ND , Beau Brodina Beau Brodina 6'2" | SG Devils Lake | 2024 State ND , Drew Hofstad Drew Hofstad 6'1" | SG Devils Lake | 2024 ND
Saturday
Standing Rock (0-0) @ Stanley (0-0)
WHY?
Bennett Larson Bennett Larson 6'7" | C Stanley | 2026 State ND is new with the Blue Jays and will be must must-watch!
Standing Rock has talented players who can put up serious numbers.
Stanley has great size and talented guards that will hurt you from deep.
This game should be full of points and athletic play.
QUESTIONS
Does Standing Rock have the size to defend Stanley?
Who shoots it the best from deep? Both teams have snipers.
Which team has the deepest bench, is depth a factor?
Best overall player on the court? Both squads or loaded.
Players To Watch
SR: Lance Bradley Lance Bradley 5'10" | SG Standing Rock | 2024 State ND , Brently Harrison Brently Harrison 6'2" | SG Standing Rock | 2024 State ND , Thane Beheler Thane Beheler 6'4" | SF Standing Rock | 2024 State ND
Stanley: Josh Hetzel Josh Hetzel 6'2" | SG Stanley | 2024 State ND , Jackson Hynek Jackson Hynek 6'2" | SF Stanley | 2024 State ND , Ben Hynek Ben Hynek 6'7" | C Stanley | 2027 State ND , Drake Schlosser Drake Schlosser 6'2" | SG Stanley | 2025 State ND , Bennett Larson Bennett Larson 6'7" | C Stanley | 2026 State ND