Bismarck Century: State Champions

Championship programs aren't built overnight—and Bismarck Century proved that once again with a season defined by resilience, toughness, and an unwavering belief in one another. From a dominant start to facing adversity late in the year, this group stayed the course and found a way to finish on top, capturing back-to-back Class AA State Championships—an accomplishment reserved for only the elite programs in North Dakota history.   This wasn't a perfect path, but that's what made it special. Century battled through injuries, setbacks, and high-pressure moments, yet never lost sight of the goal. When it mattered most, they were at their best—stringing together an impressive postseason run against top competition to prove they were the team to beat.   What separated this group went beyond talent. It was their togetherness, their competitiveness, and their ability to respond when challenged. Led by a tight-knit senior class and supported by key contributors throughout the roster, the Patriots built something that will be remembered by the Century faithful for years to come.   In this season recap, we have awards, team stats, player numbers, and an inside look through a detailed Q&A that captures the story behind the Title.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/SeaonReview-.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/SeaonReview-.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-1842251" style="width:234px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   Awards   All-WDA: [player_tooltip player_id='1332144' first='Garrett' last='Nissley'], [player_tooltip player_id='1418034' first='Joey' last='Kraljic'], [player_tooltip player_id='1657448' first='Gibson' last='Kinnebrew']   NDAPSSA All-State: [player_tooltip player_id='1657448' first='Gibson' last='Kinnebrew'] (1st Team), [player_tooltip player_id='1332144' first='Garrett' last='Nissley'] (2nd Team)   NDHSCA All-State: [player_tooltip player_id='1657448' first='Gibson' last='Kinnebrew'] (1st Team), [player_tooltip player_id='1332144' first='Garrett' last='Nissley'] (2nd Team)   All-Tournament Team at State: [player_tooltip player_id='1657448' first='Gibson' last='Kinnebrew'], [player_tooltip player_id='1332144' first='Garrett' last='Nissley']   Team Stats   PPG: 74 OPPG: 52 FG%: 48.4 OPFG%: 38.1 3FGM: 196 3FG%: 35.5 FT: 229 FT%: 65.1 APG: 14.6 SPG: 14.5 BPG: 2   Statistical Leaders   [player_tooltip player_id='1332144' first='Garrett' last='Nissley'] - 27 gp, 15.2 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 3 apg, 43.2 FG%   [player_tooltip player_id='1418039' first='Braylon' last='Aldinger'] - 27 gp, 6.3 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 1.6 apg, 41.2 FG%   [player_tooltip player_id='1418037' first='Zavion' last='Harildstad'] - 27 gp, 7.8 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 1.8 apg, 43.3 FG%   [player_tooltip player_id='1418034' first='Joey' last='Kraljic'] - 27 gp, 7.1 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 1.9 apg, 48.8 FG%   [player_tooltip player_id='1657448' first='Gibson' last='Kinnebrew'] - 27 gp, 20.3 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 2.9 apg, 62.4 FG%   [player_tooltip player_id='2116300' first='Ahmi' last='Spears'] - 26 gp, 2.7 ppg, 2.7 rpg, .2 apg, 57.4 FG%   [player_tooltip player_id='1539679' first='Kaden' last='Welstad'] - 25 gp, 1.6 ppg, .7 rpg, .6 apg, 28.9 FG%   [player_tooltip player_id='1542346' first='Zakai' last='Harildstad'] - 23 gp, 3.2 ppg, .8 rpg, .9 apg, 51.8 FG%   [player_tooltip player_id='1632739' first='Noah' last='Herr'] - 22 gp, 2 ppg, 1 rpg, .4 apg, 40.4 FG%   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/QA.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/QA.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-2508303" style="aspect-ratio:1.601953601953602;width:212px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   With Darin and Treyton Mattern   PHD: How would you sum up the season for your squad?   "This season was unlike any other. From a perfect 17-0 start, to losing 3 out of our last 4 before the Tournament, facing tons of adversity, to finishing off with a State Championship. This group never wavered. Through any of the ups or downs, they kept working, they kept putting in the time, and ultimately made a run in the Tournament to win the program's second Class AA State Championship in a row. A feat that is super difficult to do and has only happened a handful of times in the history of the state."   PHD: What are some of your best memories from off the court?   "The group of kids that we were fortunate to coach makes every day enjoyable. Whether it was a bus ride or a conversation in the office, this group was filled with high-character kids who are great people."   PHD: Can you talk about a time when you and the team overcame adversity?   "I think all the injuries that we had and Coach Mattern not being around for a game and some practices due to the passing of his mother speak for themselves. From [player_tooltip player_id='1510914' first='Camden' last='Kraemer']'s leg injury, to [player_tooltip player_id='1332144' first='Garrett' last='Nissley'] injuring his shoulder to other guys being beaten up, this was a super resilient group. There would have been a lot of times it would have been easy to give up. Whether that was when we lost 3 out of 4, or we lost the WDA Championship, but they kept going to work, they kept believing, and they put themselves in a position to win the State AA Championship and be the best team in the State."   PHD: Who was your most improved player?   "[player_tooltip player_id='1418039' first='Braylon' last='Aldinger'] was a senior who just kept getting better throughout his career. When [player_tooltip player_id='1510914' first='Camden' last='Kraemer'] went down, he stepped into the starting role and was a solid player that you could always count on to make the right play on offense and to be accountable on the defensive side. Coming off the bench, juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2116300' first='Ahmi' last='Spears'], [player_tooltip player_id='1542346' first='Zakai' last='Harildstad'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1539679' first='Kaden' last='Welstad'] gave us a lot of meaningful minutes throughout the season and made some big-time plays in big-time games. Those three just continued to get better throughout the year and we are looking forward to seeing them continue to improve going into their senior season."   PHD: Who were a few of your hardest workers?   "Looking at our team, we have a lot of hard workers throughout this group. [player_tooltip player_id='1332144' first='Garrett' last='Nissley'], [player_tooltip player_id='1510914' first='Camden' last='Kraemer'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1657448' first='Gibson' last='Kinnebrew'] are three individuals who not only work hard in season but also put in an unbelievable amount of time and effort in the offseason. Their hard work really showed throughout the season, especially in the State Tournament, when they made really big plays in really big moments, and those three deserve everything that they got because of all the hard work they put in. Cam and Garrett are going to take their talent and hard work to the collegiate level, while Gibby will be back for one more year and is striving for the same goal."   PHD: Can you talk about your seniors?   "This group of seniors has meant a lot to our program. This is one of the most tight-knit groups that we have been around, and it showed on the practice floor, on the court, and in the locker room. The care that they have for each other is second to none and they were always excited for each other's successes. They were competitive every day. They challenged each other and held each other accountable, which ultimately made our team better and led to our successes. They will go down as one of the winningest groups to go through Century High School."   PHD: Who was your top post player?   "[player_tooltip player_id='1418034' first='Joey' last='Kraljic'] was our starting post, and he was a unique player who does not come around very often. The motor that he played with was unmatched and his ability to rebound as an undersized 5 man is a skill that few players have. Not only this, but being able to switch onto the best players in the state and be able to guard them and shut them down just speaks to how special a player he is and how important he was for our team. He always made the right play offensively and was a skilled player around the basket with good passing skills."   PHD: Who was your best defensive player?   "[player_tooltip player_id='1418037' first='Zavion' last='Harildstad'] was an anchor to our defense all year. He was able to guard all positions on the floor. He could hound the ball if we needed him to, or he could guard the other team's best player and take them out of the game. He was a vocal leader who helped everyone who was on the court."   PHD: Were there any memorable buzzer-beaters, upsets, or clutch performances?   "Looking back, in 9 days we played 5 games against teams that were top 5 in State in 9 days going back from the WDA Tournament, where we played Dickinson in the semis and BHS in the finals. Then our State Tournament run comes to mind when we put together three tough, physical battles for three nights in a row. Battling the best team from the East all year in round 1 in Horace. Then coming back the next night and facing a tough, skilled West Fargo High team, who had been playing well and won the EDC Tournament. To finally playing BHS, whom we had previously played 3 times, and they got the better of us in the WDA Championship. To play those three games three days in a row and win the Championship is super rewarding to see everyone's hard work pay off."   PHD: What lessons from this season go beyond basketball?   "The main lesson that we talked about all year is resilience and togetherness. No matter what the sport threw at us, we knew that the group needed to stay together and rely on each other and all the hard work that was put into the year."   PHD: Can you comment on an assistant coach?   "I have a ton of respect for my coaching staff. We have a special staff that brings many valuable assets to the program. Treyton Mattern and Doug Swenson are with me on a daily basis and have a great feel for what I want while having a great rapport with the kids. We put a ton of time in as a staff, so having guys that have high character and are accountable is a huge benefit for the program."   BEST OF LUCK THE PATS THIS OFF-SEASON!!   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/patschamps-crop-5539x3637-1776386741.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/patschamps-crop-5539x3637-1776386741.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-3593451" /></a></figure>

Championship programs aren't built overnight—and Bismarck Century proved that once again with a season defined by resilience, toughness, and an unwavering belief in one another. From a dominant start to facing adversity late in the year, this group stayed the course and found a way to finish on top, capturing back-to-back Class AA State Championships—an accomplishment reserved for only the elite programs in North Dakota history.