Class B District Predictions

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">It is playoff time! The Class B District Tournaments tip off tomorrow (Friday the 28th). </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontStyle":"normal","fontWeight":"100"}}} --> <p style="font-style:normal;font-weight:100">In this article, PHD is pulling out the crystal ball and making predictions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2361227,"width":"256px","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:256px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">DISTRICT 1</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Venue</span>: </strong>NDSCS (Wahpeton)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline"><strong>Champion:</strong> Hankinson</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Discussion</span>:</strong> I have #7 Oakes and #9 Hankinson in the Championship. [player_tooltip player_id='1167615' first='Tee' last='Sylling'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1189430' first='Carter' last='Baasch'] will put up a fight but coach Skoglund and the Tornadoes will be headed to the Championship game. In the other semi game, I predict Hankinson and Barnes County North to meet up. I really like [player_tooltip player_id='1632740' first='Jayson' last='Schlenker'] from BCN but I don't think they can hang with the Pirates. Earlier this season, Oakes took down Hankinson, their size gave the Pirates problems. However, I can't bet against [player_tooltip player_id='1559968' first='RaeShaun' last='Earl']. He is just too good and I think he will rise to the occasion. Earl should be a 1st Team All-State player. [player_tooltip player_id='2694130' first='Matthew' last='Bladow'] is my X-factor, look out for him late in the game from beyond the arc, he is capable of hitting big shots when they count most.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">DISTRICT 2</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Venue</span>: </strong>Jamestown Civic Center</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline"><strong>Champion:</strong> Edgeley-Kulm-Montpelier</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Discussion</span>:</strong> I am going with EKM in this one. They should get to the District Championship with relative ease. On the bottom half of the bracket, I have LLM and Linton battling it out. The Loboes have not been great on offense as of late, but I think that will turn it around in the playoffs. LLM is a tough group with quality athletes. Players to watch for Linton on [player_tooltip player_id='1144603' first='Gentry' last='Richter'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2429661' first='Justin' last='Bosch'] but I think LLM will slow them down enough and get a close win. In the Championship, [player_tooltip player_id='1935092' first='Joseph' last='Kramlich'] will be the best athlete on the floor and lead the Rebels to the big game victory. [player_tooltip player_id='2672185' first='Brady' last='Hanson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2255543' first='Brad' last='Kinzler'] are my X-factors who will help the Rebels get the W.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">DISTRICT 3</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Venue</span>: </strong>Park River High School</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline"><strong>Champion:</strong> North Border</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Discussion</span>:</strong> I think the #3 Eagles will fly through Districts with a perfect record. Their top 5 of [player_tooltip player_id='2237765' first='Kaden' last='Moore'], [player_tooltip player_id='1165355' first='Grant' last='Cosley'], [player_tooltip player_id='1180878' first='Kade' last='Schafer'], [player_tooltip player_id='2237754' first='Weston' last='Cosley'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1886038' first='Brody' last='Berg'] are just too much for most Class B teams to handle. [player_tooltip player_id='2237765' first='Kaden' last='Moore'] &amp; [player_tooltip player_id='1165355' first='Grant' last='Cosley'] are as good of a 1-2 combo as you will find, those two are dangerous. I think Park River-FL will pull the first round upset and make the semis. On the bottom half of the bracket, I have Midway-Minto winning and North Star pulling a big upset over Langdon. The Mustangs will make the Championship, but the Eagles will get the win and the District 3 trophy. Just last week, North Border had their way with MM and I think think will grab another victory on March 4th.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">DISTRICT 4</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Venue</span>: </strong>New Rockford High School</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline"><strong>Champion:</strong> New Rockford-Sheyenne</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Discussion</span>:</strong> In the first semifinal, we have #8 New Rockford-Sheyenne vs. Larimore. The Polar Bears have some nice pieces and I think they will make the Region Tourney, but the Rockets, [player_tooltip player_id='1632742' first='Easton' last='Simon'], and the other athletic Rockets will find a way to make the big game. In the other semifinal, we have Griggs/Midkota and MPCG. The Patriots are a talented young team with a good coach and an athletic forward named [player_tooltip player_id='1805088' first='Noah' last='Djibonon'], we see them making it to the Championship. MPCG knocked off NRS earlier this season but I think the Rockets get the revenge win on their home court. [player_tooltip player_id='1632742' first='Easton' last='Simon'], [player_tooltip player_id='2270646' first='Easton' last='Benz'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2270551' first='Bennett' last='Meier'] will not be denied. Simon is one of the favorite players in all of Class B, expect a huge postseason from this playmaker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><span style="text-decoration: underline"><strong>DISTRICT 5</strong></span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Venue</span>: </strong>Williston State College</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline"><strong>Champion:</strong> Ray</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Discussion</span>:</strong> PHD has Ray and Tioga meeting up in the semifinals. We all know that it is tough to beat a team 3 times, but the young Jays don't care about that saying and they will get the win. This rivalry matchup will be intense and full of energy. I think the Jays will outscore them, but still suspect [player_tooltip player_id='1497479' first='Brennan' last='Johnson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2636429' first='Cooper' last='Hayes'] to put up some nice numbers. On the other side of the bracket, we have Powers Lake-Burke Central going against [player_tooltip player_id='2347920' first='Colt' last='Champion'] and the Comets from Alexander. We predict the Ranchers will get the win. In the Ship on Tuesday, [player_tooltip player_id='2309413' first='Kyle' last='Huseby'] will make athletic plays and keep PLBC in the game, but the "trio of youth" ([player_tooltip player_id='2417313' first='Blake' last='Bergstrom'], [player_tooltip player_id='2442325' first='Ty' last='Barman'], [player_tooltip player_id='2414701' first='Jace' last='Becker']) will all have big games and lead the Jays to the District crown. Ray is the real deal despite being super young.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><span style="text-decoration: underline"><strong>DISTRICT 6</strong></span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Venue</span>: </strong>Minot Auditorium</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline"><strong>Champion:</strong> Our Redeemer's</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Discussion</span>:</strong> Wow, District 6 is loaded! 5 legit teams in this District are talented enough to make State in any other Region. It is sad to think that one of them will be staying home and not going to Regionals. In the semifinals, we are taking Bishop Ryan over Westhope-Newburg. When these two played in early February, the Sioux won by 4. [player_tooltip player_id='1169145' first='Walker' last='Braaten'] missed the last regular season game vs. Garrison and then the athleticism and talent of the Lions makes me think they will win. [player_tooltip player_id='1189452' first='Ramsey' last='Walz'] will take care of the paint/lane. Then the guards of [player_tooltip player_id='1657450' first='Izaac' last='Strandlien'], [player_tooltip player_id='1376819' first='Jett' last='Lundeen'], [player_tooltip player_id='2740480' first='Jack' last='Passa'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1632649' first='Hayden' last='Seay'] will make enough plays to squeak out the win over the Sioux. In the other semi, we have Our Redeemer's and Velva. I really like the Aggies with their athleticism and toughness, but I think ORCS has too many weapons. In the Championship, the brother combination of [player_tooltip player_id='2248504' first='Jace' last='Weekley'] &amp; [player_tooltip player_id='2237753' first='Wyatt' last='Weekley'] will hit shots throughout the game and hold the Lions in check on D. As the game gets close in the 4th, I predict [player_tooltip player_id='2237731' first='Nolan' last='Schmidt'] will get multiple scores slashing to the hoop and [player_tooltip player_id='1632697' first='Payten' last='Lindbo'] will knock down a couple of triples to eek out the win. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">DISTRICT 7</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Venue</span>: </strong>Dickinson Trinity High School</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline"><strong>Champion:</strong> Bowman County</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Discussion</span>:</strong> In the Championship, PHD is going with the chalk, we are taking Bowman and Hettinger-Scranton. I could see Flasher giving the Night Hawks a run for their money as they have some nice players with Kelton Firesz, [player_tooltip player_id='2281065' first='Pine' last='Fleck'], [player_tooltip player_id='2281068' first='Trey' last='Heid'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2281100' first='Jason' last='Weinberger']. However, we believe that [player_tooltip player_id='2276348' first='Blake' last='Larson'] will put the squad on his back and get them to the Championship game vs. The Bulldogs. For the Night Hawks, [player_tooltip player_id='2276348' first='Blake' last='Larson'] is having an outstanding season while averaging 21 ppg and 10 rpg, he is a dawg. We are going with Bowman to win the District because of their versatility and balanced attack. The Bulldogs have had many different players step up throughout the year and we suspect that to happen in the postseason as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">DISTRICT 8</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Venue</span>: </strong>Garrison High School</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline"><strong>Champion:</strong> Wilton-Wing</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Discussion</span>:</strong> How can you bet against the undefeated and #1 ranked team? The Miners are loaded with [player_tooltip player_id='2312608' first='Hunter' last='Wolff'], [player_tooltip player_id='2312607' first='Bradon' last='Wallace'], [player_tooltip player_id='1381719' first='Dontaye' last='Fetzer'], [player_tooltip player_id='2312611' first='Teigen' last='Earsley']. They have some quality role players as well with [player_tooltip player_id='2728541' first='William' last='Bergquist'] who added size/length and young [player_tooltip player_id='2347919' first='Hudson' last='Wolff'] who is a cold-blooded shooter. In the semifinals, I see Washburn battling with Wilton-Wing but not stealing a win. It will be interesting to see if [player_tooltip player_id='1632628' first='Parker' last='Jacobson'] can get hot and make this one a game. However, Scott Wolff does a great job of gameplanning and adjusting, so we expect the Miners to handle the Cardinals. In the other semifinals, I see Garrison vs. Central McLean. These two played on Feb 13 and the Troopers won by 8. [player_tooltip player_id='1746021' first='Aiden' last='Hanson'] is a great player for Cougars, but I think [player_tooltip player_id='1350687' first='Little' last='Hail Perkins'], [player_tooltip player_id='1746086' first='Treyson' last='Iglehart'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2775176' first='Grady' last='Crawford'] will make enough plays to push the Troopers to the Championship. Not to mention, Justin Folk is a fantastic coach, so that will help the cause. Like I mentioned above, we are going with Wilton-Wing to win the District 8 Championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2672394,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/ClassBBasketball.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/ClassBBasketball.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-2672394" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->