WDA Hoops Profile

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">With the North Dakota football season wrapping up yesterday at the Dakota Bowl and State Champions officially crowned, the attention now shifts to winter's main stage—<strong>high school basketball</strong>. The <strong>Western Dakota Association</strong> (WDA) enters the new year with fresh storylines, rising expectations, and an energy that's already buzzing across the region. The WDA is stacked with athleticism, skill, and depth, setting the stage for what could be one of its most competitive and entertaining seasons in recent memory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontStyle":"normal","fontWeight":"100"}},"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size" style="font-style:normal;font-weight:100">At the center of it all sits <strong>Bismarck Century</strong>, the defending State Champions. The Patriots return a significant portion of last year's title-winning core, making them the clear early-season favorites and the measuring stick for every contender in the conference. With top teams gearing up and new talent emerging, the WDA promises a winter full of high-level hoops, heated rivalries, and plenty of must-see matchups.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>See below for the full WDA Profile.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2813742,"width":"269px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/WDA.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/WDA.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-2813742" style="width:269px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"22px","fontStyle":"normal","fontWeight":"200"}}} --> <p style="font-size:22px;font-style:normal;font-weight:200">The WDA is loaded with some downright scary player combinations this season—true “Big 3” units that can take over games in a heartbeat. From explosive scoring trios, lights-out shooters, freaky playmakers, to lockdown defensive groups and versatile all-around threats, several teams out west boast their own versions of a <em>Triple Threat</em>, <em>Three Amigos</em>, or even a full-on <em>three-headed monster</em>. These dynamic combos give the conference a level of star power and balance that will make every matchup must-see basketball. It's going to be a fun, high-octane year in the WDA, and fans should keep a close eye on these standout groups as they look to shape the race out west.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"17px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:17px"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Bismarck Century</span> - [player_tooltip player_id='1332144' first='Garrett' last='Nissley'], [player_tooltip player_id='1510914' first='Camden' last='Kraemer'], [player_tooltip player_id='1657448' first='Gibson' last='Kinnebrew']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"17px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:17px"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Bismarck</span> - [player_tooltip player_id='1632632' first='Artie' last='Carlow'], [player_tooltip player_id='1975416' first='Khaliq' last='Austin'], [player_tooltip player_id='1657449' first='Weston' last='Scott']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"17px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:17px"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Dickinson</span> - [player_tooltip player_id='1510889' first='Boston' last='Cranston'], [player_tooltip player_id='1531066' first='Cameron' last='Wolf'], [player_tooltip player_id='1510890' first='Dylan' last='Glasser']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"17px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:17px"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Minot</span> - [player_tooltip player_id='2237726' first='Oakley' last='Trueblood'], [player_tooltip player_id='2132837' first='Drew' last='Jordan'], [player_tooltip player_id='1657452' first='Jalen' last='Gunville']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"17px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:17px"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Bismarck Legacy</span> - [player_tooltip player_id='1422857' first='Jonathan' last='Roubideaux Jr'], [player_tooltip player_id='1632682' first='Makiya' last='Berryhill'], [player_tooltip player_id='1418038' first='Brody' last='Weigel']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"17px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:17px"><span style="text-decoration: underline">St. Mary's</span> - [player_tooltip player_id='1418035' first='Chris' last='Benning'], [player_tooltip player_id='1531064' first='Jackson' last='Barth'], [player_tooltip player_id='2548370' first='Trason' last='Terry']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"17px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:17px"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Mandan</span> - [player_tooltip player_id='1327796' first='Brylee' last='Bears Tail'], Rylee Bears Tail, [player_tooltip player_id='1798695' first='Eli' last='Eaglestaff']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"17px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:17px"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Jamestown</span> -[player_tooltip player_id='2711420' first='Edison' last='Walters'], [player_tooltip player_id='2237725' first='Madden' last='Skunberg'], [player_tooltip player_id='2606561' first='Eric' last='Van Berkom']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"25px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:25px"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Preseason</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1676515,"width":"295px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/11/PowerRankings.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/11/PowerRankings.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-1676515" style="width:295px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">#1 Bismarck Century</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">#2 Bismarck</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">#3 Dickinson</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">#4 Minot</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">#5 Bismarck Legacy</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">#6 St. Mary's</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">#7 Mandan</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">#8 Minot North</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">#9 Jamestown</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">#10 Williston</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"25px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:25px"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Teams &amp; Questions</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Bismarck Century</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>24- 25 Record:</strong>&nbsp;26-1 (State Champions)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach:</strong> Darin Mattern</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Do the "Big 3" share the ball, do they all get enough shots to stay happy?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Does their lack of size down low cause any problems? it could when they play teams from the EDC.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-The Pats could be unbelievable this season, will they even lose a game?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Bismarck</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>24- 25 Record:</strong>&nbsp;20-7 (5th Place)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach:</strong> Jordan Wilhelm</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-[player_tooltip player_id='1975416' first='Khaliq' last='Austin'] is a stud, is he All-State?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Is [player_tooltip player_id='1657449' first='Weston' last='Scott'] rusty early in the season, is he an elite PG in all of ND?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-How deep does Wilhelm's bench go? Does his D force the most TO's in AA?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Dickinson</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>24- 25 Record:</strong>&nbsp;12-14 (State Qualifier)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach:</strong> Dan Glasser</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-What type of depth do the Mavs have? Their top 4 are tough. Do they have the size to be a top 4 team?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Glasser is a respected coach, does he get the Mavs back to State and finish with a record above .500?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-PHD is high on [player_tooltip player_id='1531066' first='Cameron' last='Wolf'], does he end up being the top Mav this season?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Minot</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>24- 25 Record:</strong>&nbsp;18-6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach:</strong> Jeremy Brandt</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-How do the Magi look under the new head coach? Is the squad gelling early in the season?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Is [player_tooltip player_id='2237726' first='Oakley' last='Trueblood'] a 1-man wrecking crew? PHD's thinks he will be All-State. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-What type of impact do [player_tooltip player_id='2338190' first='Tayvin' last='Archer'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2525625' first='Patrick' last='Shanahan'] have? It should be significant.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Bismarck Legacy</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>24- 25 Record:</strong>&nbsp;15-11</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach:</strong> Jason Horner</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Parker Falcon is gone, who steps up and leads the team?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Does [player_tooltip player_id='1422857' first='Jonathan' last='Roubideaux Jr'] look like an All-State player?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Is this the year that [player_tooltip player_id='1418038' first='Brody' last='Weigel'] breaks out? He should be confident after a quality football season as QB.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><span style="text-decoration: underline">St. Mary's</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>24- 25 Record:</strong>&nbsp;3-19</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach:</strong> BJ Etzold</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Does [player_tooltip player_id='1418035' first='Chris' last='Benning'] stay healthy and stick out as a top guard in the WDA?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Is this the year that the Saints get back to the promised lands (State)?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-[player_tooltip player_id='2548370' first='Trason' last='Terry'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2442680' first='Keller' last='Hertz Barnett'] will get heavy mins as sophs. Are they consistent performer, how do they hold up defensively?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Mandan</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>24- 25 Record:</strong>&nbsp;19-8</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach:</strong> Brandon Schafer</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Who runs the point for the Braves? Is PHD underestimating this squad?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-With Hudsen Sheldon in college, who steps up? Will the Bears Tail twins surprise people and lead this squad to State?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Does [player_tooltip player_id='2237808' first='Daniel' last='Wentz'] have an impact? What role does he play?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Minot North</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>24- 25 Record:</strong> 9-15&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach:</strong> Drew Hysjulien</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Do the Sentinels put it all together and make State for the first time?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-[player_tooltip player_id='1510892' first='Brayden' last='Blikre'] had a big football season, does he keep that momentum and star as an All-WDA hooper?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-[player_tooltip player_id='2429817' first='Josia' last='Jaquinet'] could be a breakout baller for Hysjulien. Does Jaquinet average 12+ ppg?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Jamestown</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>24- 25 Record:</strong> 5-19&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach:</strong> Tim Ranum</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-What type of system will coach Ranum run, do the Blue Jays improve under the new head coach?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Is [player_tooltip player_id='2606561' first='Eric' last='Van Berkom'] an All-WDA player or is he a year away? PHD has high expectations.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Does [player_tooltip player_id='2237725' first='Madden' last='Skunberg'] take the next step, is he ready to be a dude?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Williston</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>24- 25 Record:</strong>&nbsp;3-19</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach:</strong> Quinn McGlothlin</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Can the Coyotes pull any upsets this season?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-[player_tooltip player_id='2684887' first='Solomon' last='Harris'] is a stud athlete, does he fill the stat sheet, and shine as an All-WDA baller?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-[player_tooltip player_id='2616665' first='Beckam' last='Tolman'] looked capable this fall at <em>The Expo</em>, does he have an impact season?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3068619,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/image_8f8c16.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/image_8f8c16.png" alt="" class="wp-image-3068619" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->