Best Games to Watch Friday, February 26th

<p>A look at the top games around the state happening Friday….</p> <p><u>Friday, February 26th, 2021</u></p> <p><strong>Kindred (15-3) @ Enderlin (16-3)</strong></p> <p>In this heavyweight Region-1 matchup the Vikings and Eagles are playing for the #1 seed heading into the playoffs. Win or lose these two teams could potentially see each other in the Region Championship game in a couple of weeks. Enderlin is ranked #3 in this week’s Power Rankings. Coming into the game Kindred scores 60.7 ppg and they give up 41.9 ppg. The Eagles put up 71 ppg and allow 52.5. Both squads are long and athletic and they match-up well with each other. Enderlin shoots it better from the perimeter. Kindred is patient on offense and will be as methodical as they can be within the shot clock. The top Eagles are [player_tooltip player_id="787658" first="Joe" last="Hurlburt"], [player_tooltip player_id="812220" first="Gus" last="Hurlburt"], [player_tooltip player_id="1050248" first="Carson" last="Bartholomay"], and [player_tooltip player_id="1129974" first="Alijah" last="Dixson"]. The top Vikings are [player_tooltip player_id="731867" first="Gavin" last="Keller"], [player_tooltip player_id="812227" first="Paul" last="Olson"], [player_tooltip player_id="1123711" first="Max" last="McQuillan"], and [player_tooltip player_id="1123710" first="Jaiden" last="Peraza"]. It should be an even matchup on the boards. Whoever dictates the pace and takes care of the ball should win this one.</p> <p><strong>Grafton/St. Thomas (18-2) @ Thompson (14-6)</strong></p> <p>We have an interesting Region-2 matchup in this one. These two played earlier in the season and Grafton won 53-33. Heading into the playoffs it looks like Grafton will be the #2 seed and Thompson will be the #4 seed. If Grafton and Thompson play again after tomorrow night, it will have to be in the Region-2 Championship game. Grafton/St. Thomas is currently ranked #7 in our Power Rankings. The Spoilers score 67.7 ppg and give up 44.7 ppg. The Tommies are putting up 52.5 ppg and are allowing 43.9 ppg. Grafton plays more of an up-tempo game compared to Thompson. Both teams are tough defensively. Thompson is a younger team and has improved since they played last. Grafton has a more seasoned and veteran group of players. The Spoilers shoot it better from the perimeter. The top Spoilers are led by [player_tooltip player_id="731907" first="Stevan" last="Garza"], [player_tooltip player_id="1046339" first="Justin" last="Garza"], Luis Balderas Jr., [player_tooltip player_id="1046345" first="Brandon" last="Albrecht"], and [player_tooltip player_id="1133067" first="William" last="Jiskra"]. The Tommies are led by are [player_tooltip player_id="1135525" first="Kyle" last="Odenbach"], Jakob Starvevic, and Sam Roller. If Grafton scores 70 or in the high 60’s they should win. If Thompson can slow the game down and keep the score in the 50’s they could win. It will be interesting to see how each team approaches this matchup.</p> <p><strong>Beulah (16-4) @ Hazen (13-7)</strong></p> <p>What better way to end the regular season than with a rivalry game? That is what the Miners and Bison are doing. The Miners will be making the 9.7-mile trip this time. When they played earlier in the season Beulah won 71-65 and [player_tooltip player_id="812226" first="Trey" last="Brandt"] led all scorers with 33-points. Win or lose tomorrow night Beulah will be the #1 seed heading into the Region-7 Tournament. Hazen’s seed is not set yet and it will depend on other Region-7 games happening tomorrow night. Beulah is ranked #4 in this week’s Power Rankings. The Miners score 69.4 ppg and give up 49.7 ppg. The Bison put up 66.7 ppg and allow 54.9 ppg. The game should come down to how Hazen defends Brandt. Do they try to take him away and make the rest of the team score? Will they live with Brandt scoring his, and slow down the others? Only time will tell. The top Miners are [player_tooltip player_id="812226" first="Trey" last="Brandt"], [player_tooltip player_id="1126988" first="Dawson" last="Zuroff"], [player_tooltip player_id="1126983" first="Trapper" last="Skalsky"], and [player_tooltip player_id="1126989" first="Nathan" last="Battest"]. The top Bison are Austin Richter, [player_tooltip player_id="1139583" first="Tyson" last="Wick"], [player_tooltip player_id="1139585" first="Mason" last="Wick"], and [player_tooltip player_id="1138817" first="Talan" last="Batke"]. I expect this game to be another close game. With it being a rivalry game and the last contest of the regular season both teams will leave it all out on the floor. It should be a good one between these two old rivals.</p>