Class B District Predictions

It's that time of year, the ND Class B District Tournaments tip off on Friday!   District tournament basketball is here, and in Class B, that means packed gyms, high stakes, and zero margin for error. In Class B District Predictions, Prep Hoops Dakotas is pulling out the glass ball and taking a shot at forecasting who will cut down the nets in each North Dakota Class B District.   We'll break down the tournament information, give you the first-round matchups, and highlight our favorite to win each District. Records matter. Momentum matters. Matchups matter. And this time of year, experience and toughness can swing everything.   Upsets are coming. Breakout performances are loading. And someone is about to make a run.   Happy hunting — and Best Swishes!   <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:407px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   District 1   Venue: Valley City Hi-Liner Activity Center   1st Round Matchups   #1 Hankinson vs. #8 Enderlin (3:00)   #4 Sargent County vs. #5 Wyndmere-Lidgerwood (4:30)   #2 Oakes vs. #7 Tri-State (6:00)   #3 Barnes County North vs. #6 Maple River (7:30)   Champion: Oakes - Hankinson holds the No. 1 spot and is the only North Dakota Class B squad to knock off Oakes this season. That said, the Pirates lost a key contributor a couple of weeks ago, and that development plays a role in our projection. With that shift and with two studs leading the charge, we're rolling with the orange and black to capture the District Title. The Tornadoes feature a strong one-two punch in [player_tooltip player_id='2052771' first='Jyles' last='Meier'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2052770' first='Beau' last='Thorpe']. Meier is a force on the interior, physical, productive, and a constant matchup problem in the paint. Thorpe complements him perfectly as a confident playmaker, dangerous perimeter shooter, and proven bucket-getter who can control the tempo and deliver in big moments. With toughness, balance, and momentum trending their way, the Tornadoes are our pick to rise up and take District 1.   District 2   Venue: Jamestown Civic Center   1st Round Matchups   #1 Linton-HMB vs. #9 South Border (3:00)   #4 Kidder County vs. #5 Medina-Pingree-Buchanan (4:30)   #2 Edgeley-Kulm-Montpelier vs. #7 Napoleon-G-S (6:00)   #3 Ellendale vs. LaMoure-Litchville-Marion (7:30)   Champion: Linton-HMB - PHD is siding with the favorite in District 2. The Lions boast a gifted backcourt trio in [player_tooltip player_id='2429661' first='Justin' last='Bosch'], [player_tooltip player_id='2413967' first='Brody' last='Richter'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2237766' first='Jayden' last='Jochim'], three guards who can stretch the floor, move it with purpose, and light it up from beyond the arc. Their ability to shoot, create, and share the basketball makes this offense tough to contain. [player_tooltip player_id='3276940' first='Isaac' last='Silvernagel'] brings the glue-guy presence, strong, physical, and willing to handle the dirty work that wins games in March. With skill in the backcourt and toughness throughout the lineup, PHD expects the Lions to roar their way through District 2.   District 3   Venue: Larimore High School   1st Round Matchups   #1 Midway-Minto vs. #8 Griggs-Midkota (3:00)   #4 Cavalier vs. #5 Drayton/Valley-Edinburg (4:30)   #2 Park River-Fordville-Lankin vs. #7Hatton-Northwood (6:00)   #3 North Border vs. #6 Larimore (7:30)   Champion: Midway-Minto - PHD is riding with the No. 5 ranked team in the state to claim the District 3 crown. The Mustangs are tough, well-coached, and powered by one of the most dynamic duos in Class B. Twin brothers [player_tooltip player_id='1632700' first='Ezra' last='Robinson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1632692' first='Elijah' last='Robinson'] set the tone with versatility, competitiveness and are capable of impacting the game in every phase. They're true two-way playmakers who elevate everyone around them. Add in talented guard [player_tooltip player_id='1537902' first='Trenton' last='Sitzer'], and Midway-Minto brings another scoring and playmaking threat to the mix. With just two losses on the season, this group has shown consistency and edge from start to finish. PHD expects that loss column to stay put and predicts the Mustangs ride roughshod through Districts.   District 4   Venue: Langdon Area High School   1st Round Matchups   #1 St. John vs. #8 Warwick (3:00)   #4 North Star vs. #5 Nelson County (4:30)   #2 New Rockford-Sheyenne vs. #7 Benson County (6:00)   #3 Langdon Area-Munich vs. #6 North Prairie (7:30)   Champion: New Rockford-Sheyenne - PHD is riding with the Rockets to take off and soar through District 4. NRS is peaking at the right time, playing strong basketball down the stretch and recently knocking off a very solid Wilton-Wing squad. The defense has tightened up, the shots are falling, and the confidence is building. [player_tooltip player_id='1632742' first='Easton' last='Simon'] is the engine that makes everything go, averaging 24 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists per game while controlling tempo and setting the tone offensively. [player_tooltip player_id='2887408' first='Shaun' last='Reimche'] has elevated his scoring as the season has progressed, giving the Rockets another reliable punch. And [player_tooltip player_id='2270646' first='Easton' last='Benz'] anchors the defensive effort, routinely taking on the opponent's top scorer and making life difficult. So who's cutting down the nets in District 4? If momentum matters, and it does this time of year, the Rockets look cleared for takeoff.   District 5   Venue: New Town Event Center   1st Round Matchups   #1 Ray vs. #9 Tioga (3:00)   #4 Parshall-NSP vs. #5 Williston Trinity Christian (4:30)   #2 Alexander vs. #7 Kenmare-Bowbells (6:00)   #3 Powers Lake-Burke Central vs. #6 Tenton (7:30)   Champion: Ray - PHD is picking the Jays to claim District 5. This young, athletic, and highly skilled group sits at 18-1 on the season and has consistently shown the ability to overwhelm opponents with pace and production. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2417313' first='Blake' last='Bergstrom'] has been sensational, averaging 23 points, 4.5 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals per game. Right alongside him, freshman [player_tooltip player_id='2442325' first='Ty' last='Barman'] is putting up 21 points, 8 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 3.5 steals a night. That sophomore–freshman duo gives the Jays a dynamic foundation that few teams can match. Add in an athletic playmaker [player_tooltip player_id='2414701' first='Jace' last='Becker'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1951556' first='Brody' last='Ceynar'], who packs an offensive punch, and you're looking at a potent offensive attack that can score in waves. The Jays are guided by head coach Michael Bergstrom, a true basketball junkie who lives and breathes the game. He puts in the time, studies opponents, and consistently has his squad prepared and ready to compete at a high level. Expect the Jays to handle business in New Town.   District 6   Venue: Minot Auditorium   1st Round Matchups   #1 Our Redeemer's vs. #8 Drake-Anamoose (3:00)   #4 TGU vs. #5 Velva (7:30)   #2 Minot Ryan vs. #7 Surrey (6:00)   #3 Mohall-Lansford-Sherwood vs. #6 Westhope-Newburg (4:30)   Champion: Our Redeemer's - I really like MLS in this spot, but it's tough to pick against Brock Teets and the Knights. Our Redeemer's has the experience, toughness, and firepower to make another strong district run. [player_tooltip player_id='2237753' first='Wyatt' last='Weekley'] is the star guard and tone-setter for ORCS. Long, smart, and skilled, he plays with great timing and feel while leading on both ends of the floor. [player_tooltip player_id='2237731' first='Nolan' last='Schmidt'] brings the physical presence, rebounding, toughness, and a motor that never seems to stop. He does the dirty work and gives the Knights an edge inside the arc. Beyond their headliners, ORCS has plenty of additional scoring options and complementary pieces who step up when called upon. They're also rock solid defensively, making teams work for everything. Ranked No. 2 in the state polls, the Knights are our pick to take District 6.   District 7   Venue: Dickinson State University   1st Round Matchups   #1 Bowman County vs. #9 Beach (3:00)   #4 South Heart vs. #5 Richardton-Taylor (4:00)   #2 Glen-Ullin-Hebron vs. Grant County/Mott-Regent (6:00)   #3 Belfield vs. #6 New England (7:30)   Champion: Glen Ullin-Hebron – We're calling for the upset in this matchup: the Bearcats. Earlier this month, GHU fell to No. 1 seed Bowman by just six points, proving they can compete with the top team. PHD has a feeling [player_tooltip player_id='2335363' first='Jaxon' last='Rolle'] heats up from beyond the arc and sparks an unforgettable run in the District Tournament. Inside, [player_tooltip player_id='2708519' first='Reid' last='Schneider']'s 6'7” presence and length can completely shift the momentum, while his brother [player_tooltip player_id='2342227' first='Ryan' last='Schneider'] adds another reliable scoring threat from the perimeter. Put it all together, and the ingredients for an upset are there. We're rolling with the Bearcats.   District 8   Venue: Washburn High School   1st Round Matchups   #1 Central McLean vs. #8 Mandaree (3:00)   #4 New Salem-Almont vs. #5 Garrison (4:30)   #2 Wilton-Wing vs. #7 White Shield (6:00)   #3 Washburn vs. #6 Flasher (7:30)   Champion: Central McLean - How can you bet against the No. 1 team in Class B? We can't. CMC is our pick to capture the District 8 Championship, and they'll ride [player_tooltip player_id='1746021' first='Aiden' last='Hanson'] all the way there. Hanson is the real deal, a complete player who impacts the game in every way. In our opinion, he should be firmly in the Mr. Basketball conversation come March. The Cougars also have a strong supporting cast ready to follow Hanson to the promised land. They're playing their best basketball right now, and their undefeated record proves it. Expect Central McLean to keep that perfect season intact and finish on top in District 8.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/02/ClassBBasketball.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/02/ClassBBasketball.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-3526283" /></a></figure>

It's that time of year, the ND Class B District Tournaments tip off on Friday!