ND Class B State Tournament Predictions

<!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontStyle":"italic","fontWeight":"800"}}} --> <p style="font-style:italic;font-weight:800">First of all, best of luck to all the players and teams this week in the Class B State Tournament!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The State B Tournament starts tomorrow, Thursday the 14th in Minot. It looks like we have some intriguing matchups with talented teams. It is sure to be entertaining basketball! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>PHD is pulling out the glass ball for this article while we make predictions &amp; comments on the first round of the Class A State Tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"30px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:30px"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Quarterfinal Matchups</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"10px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:10px"><em>*Games are played at the Minot State Dome</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">1:00 - <strong>#2 Bowman County</strong> vs. <strong>#7 Our Redeemer's</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">2:45 - <strong>#3 Westhope-Newburg</strong> vs. <strong>#6 Edgeley-Kulm-Montpelier</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">6:30 - <strong>#1 North Star </strong>vs. <strong>#8 LaMoure-Litchville-Marion</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">8:15 - <strong>#4 Bishop Ryan</strong> vs. <strong>#5 Sargent County </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2361227,"width":"404px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/Predictions.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/Predictions.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-2361227" style="width:404px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Class B State</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">#2 Bowman County (23-1) vs. #7 Our Redeemer's (18-8)</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bulldogs PPG:</strong> 72.7 <strong>OPPG:</strong> 42 <strong>Knights PPG:</strong> 59 <strong>OPPG:</strong> 47.7</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bulldogs win this one but the Knights will battle and put up a fight early. The 1-2 punch of the Duffields will propel Bowman into the semifinals. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This one will be the show of [player_tooltip player_id='1144932' first='Bohden' last='Duffield'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1144931' first='Bishop' last='Duffield']. They will play fast &amp; furious, make plays all over the court, create chaos, and score from every level. Bohden's stats: 22.4 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 3.5 apg, 3.5 spg, 1 bpg and Bishop's stats: 19.8 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 3.3 apg, 3.1 spg, 1 bpg. [player_tooltip player_id='2282565' first='Aiden' last='Thompson'] is another talented player to watch for the Bulldogs. ORCS has some exciting players to watch as well. [player_tooltip player_id='2376727' first='Jace' last='Weekley'] is a talented lefty who makes plays in and out and he is smart about using pump fakes. [player_tooltip player_id='2237753' first='Wyatt' last='Weekley'] is a youngster but talented. He runs the show at PG and hits from the outside. [player_tooltip player_id='1632697' first='Payten' last='Lindbo'] is another lefty and a legit shooter who can get hot from 3. [player_tooltip player_id='2376728' first='Andrew' last='Eby'] is a big &amp; physical player who rebounds hard &amp; screens well. However, ORCS plays pack-line D and they want to keep you out of the paint. That will take away easy buckets but the Bulldogs shoot it hot from deep and that will be the difference in the game. Look for the Duffields and the Bulldogs to stroll into the semis with a double-digit victory. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">#3 Westhope-Newburg (23-2) vs. #6 Edgeley-Kulm-Montpelier (22-4)</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sioux PPG:</strong> 71.9 <strong>OPPG</strong> 47.6 <strong>Rebels PPG:</strong> 63.9 <strong>OPPG:</strong> 50.9</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I like EKM's size, athletes, and scoring options but PHD can't bet against [player_tooltip player_id='1169145' first='Walker' last='Braaten']. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Texas Ranger is averaging 26.1 ppg, 9.3 rpg, 2.8 apg, and 3.2 spg. [player_tooltip player_id='1164807' first='Jacob' last='Nitschke'] should give the Sioux some problems inside and his stats also look good at 17.5 ppg and 7.9 rpg. Look out for the Sioux pressure defense and full-court pressure. They are dangerous in their 2-2-1 zone press with Braaten at halfcourt covering a ton of ground and causing havoc. Westhope will need a strong performance from [player_tooltip player_id='1717045' first='Hunter' last='Tolstad'] on the inside against [player_tooltip player_id='2255554' first='Austin' last='Strobel'], [player_tooltip player_id='2142302' first='Zeke' last='Barnick'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1164807' first='Jacob' last='Nitschke']. A matchup to watch is [player_tooltip player_id='1355223' first='Braden' last='Bailey'] against [player_tooltip player_id='1935092' first='Joseph' last='Kramlich']. If EKM wants to make this a game, they will need Kramlich to stay out of foul trouble and handle the Sioux pressure. In the halfcourt, I am interested to see who matches up with Nitschke and who Braaten defends. At the end of the day, I think Westhope's pressure and [player_tooltip player_id='1169145' first='Walker' last='Braaten']'s playmaking will be enough for the opening-round victory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">#1 North Star (24-1) vs. #8 LaMoure-Litchville-Marion (16-10)</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bearcats PPG:</strong> 63.9 <strong>OPPG: </strong>44.9 <strong>Loboes PPG: </strong>54.3 <strong>OPPG: </strong>46.3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This one has star power with [player_tooltip player_id='1324683' first='Dane' last='Hagler'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1145406' first='Max' last='Musland']. Both ballers are having a fantastic senior season and they should put on a show. PHD is going with chalk in this matchup.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These two know each other from the fall. North Star and LLM met in the 9-Man football playoffs and [player_tooltip player_id='1859912' first='Gunner' last='Thielges'] ran wild! Look for the Bearcats to have revenge on their minds. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bearcats are healthy and are riding an 11-game win streak. My X-factor in this game is [player_tooltip player_id='1632620' first='Hunter' last='Hagler']. He is the 4th or 5th scariest option for the Bearcats but is a tough athlete with scary potential. The star's numbers are impressive... [player_tooltip player_id='1324683' first='Dane' last='Hagler'] (21.0 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 6.2 apg, 3.2 spg) and [player_tooltip player_id='1145406' first='Max' last='Musland'] (25.5 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 2.6 apg, 2.5 spg). Look out for [player_tooltip player_id='1367010' first='Karsen' last='Simon'] &amp; [player_tooltip player_id='1367009' first='Parker' last='Simon'], they should give the Loboes problems inside the arc and control the boards. Shooters to watch for LLM are [player_tooltip player_id='2279911' first='Blase' last='Isaacson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1725175' first='Brayan' last='Karlgaard']. If they get hot, who knows what could happen? Both teams are stout on the defensive side of the ball. LLM is not afraid to run the shot clock down and play slow. Will the Loboes keep it close in the second half and hit shots late in the shot clock? This is an intriguing matchup! Both [player_tooltip player_id='1324683' first='Dane' last='Hagler'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1145406' first='Max' last='Musland'] should be All-State players. Who will step up under the bright lights? Expect each to shine, but the Bearcats have enough surrounding talent to pull out the win. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">#4 Bishop Ryan (23-3) vs. #5 Sargent County (19-6)</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lions PPG:</strong> 63.8 <strong>OPPG:</strong> 45.1 <strong>Bulldogs PPG:</strong> 58.5 <strong>OPPG:</strong> 49.2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Who wins in a fight, big cat or bulldog? PHD is calling the upset, Bulldogs over the Lions!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We all know [player_tooltip player_id='1189452' first='Ramsey' last='Walz'] is a special talent and we expect him to perform well at State. However, PHD has a hunch that [player_tooltip player_id='1145108' first='Luke' last='Martinson'], [player_tooltip player_id='1551198' first='Josh' last='Wittich'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2252857' first='Grady' last='Wehlander'] will put up a fight in the paint and win this one in a nail-biter. [player_tooltip player_id='1189452' first='Ramsey' last='Walz'] stats: 19 ppg, 10.1 rpg, 1.3 apg, 1.1 spg &amp; [player_tooltip player_id='1145108' first='Luke' last='Martinson'] stats: 18.1 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 2.1 apg. Who will perform the best? Another name to watch is [player_tooltip player_id='1376819' first='Jett' last='Lundeen'] from Minot Ryan, he averages 15.1 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 5.4 apg, 2.2 spg. Expect this game to be super physical, the nightcap should be a good one! The dangerous two-headed monster of [player_tooltip player_id='1145108' first='Luke' last='Martinson'] &amp; [player_tooltip player_id='1551198' first='Josh' last='Wittich'] will pull the upset and move over to the right side of the bracket!</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 -->