ND Class B District Predictions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It is officially the playoffs! District Play-In games happened this past Saturday and the brackets are now set for the upcoming District Tournaments. (We still have one Play-In game to go in District 7)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Quarterfinals of the 8 District Tournaments tip-off across the state on Friday 2/23/24. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Where are the District Tournaments played</span>? </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><strong>District 1</strong> - Valley City State</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><strong>District 2</strong> -Jamestown Civic Center </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><strong>District 3</strong> - Langdon Area High School </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><strong>District 4</strong> - Larimore High School</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><strong>District 5</strong> - Bowman County High School</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><strong>District 6</strong> - White Shield High School</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><strong>District 7</strong> - New Town Event Center</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><strong>District 8 </strong>- Minot Auditorium</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>PHD is pulling out the glass ball and making predictions for the upcoming District Tournaments.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontStyle":"italic","fontWeight":"800"}}} --> <p style="font-style:italic;font-weight:800">Best of luck to everyone in the playoffs! It is the best time of the year for basketball fans!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontStyle":"normal","fontWeight":"200"}},"fontSize":"x-large"} --> <p class="has-x-large-font-size" style="font-style:normal;font-weight:200"><span style="text-decoration: underline">District Predictions</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><span style="text-decoration: underline"><strong>District 1</strong></span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Quarterfinal Winners</span>: Sargent County, Wyndmere/Lidgerwood, Hankinson, Barnes County North</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Semifinal Winners</span>: Sargent County, Hankinson</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Champions</span>: Sargent County</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We went chalk on all but one of the Quarterfinal games. The Warbirds from Wyndmere/Lidgerwood lost by 11 to Oakes in late January. PHD thinks <em>Todd Hosford</em> is a good coach, he will learn from the earlier loss, and the Warbirds will pull the early upset. W/L always plays hard and they give maximum effort. After that, Sargent County &amp; Hankinson are the favorites to make the District Championship and that is who we are going with. The Bulldogs beat the Pirates earlier this season by 2 points in a low-scoring game. I think Sargent County's size with [player_tooltip player_id='1145108' first='Luke' last='Martinson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1551198' first='Josh' last='Wittich'] will be too much for Hankinson. However, the bigger college court will be an advantage for [player_tooltip player_id='1559968' first='RaeShaun' last='Earl'] and the Pirates. I like [player_tooltip player_id='2349038' first='Andrew' last='Jean'] from Hankinson, he could be an X-factor. Bulldogs vs. Pirates in the Championship at Valley City State will be a barn burner and could easily come down to a one-possession game once again. </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 --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Quarterfinal Winners</span>: EKM, LLM, Linton/HMB, Ellendale</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Semifinal Winners</span>: EKM, Linton/HMB</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Champions</span>: EKM</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We are going with chalk all the way through the District Tournament. District 2 has many teams that could get hot and make a run to the Championship game, however, I don't see it happening. EKM &amp; Linton will win big in the first round of games. I like LLM over MPB because of [player_tooltip player_id='1145406' first='Max' last='Musland'] and his tough teammates. Ellendale vs. South Border will be a tough one but I see the Cardinals winning behind solid performances from [player_tooltip player_id='1749953' first='Anton' last='Geller'], [player_tooltip player_id='1849671' first='Mason' last='Molan'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2230304' first='Kade' last='Schimke']. In the Semifinals, EKM will have too much firepower for the Loboes, and Linton will outscore Ellendale by a splashy performance from [player_tooltip player_id='1146180' first='Jace' last='Jochim']. In the Championship game, I see the Rebels taking down the Lions in a tightly contested game. EKM beat Linton by 4 earlier this season in a physical battle, the Rebels are currently on an 11-game win streak, and the Rebels have more size &amp; depth, and [player_tooltip player_id='1164807' first='Jacob' last='Nitschke'] will perform impressively under the bright lights. </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 --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Quarterfinal Winners</span>: North Star, North Border, Cavalier, Midway/Minto</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Semifinal Winners</span>: North Star, Cavalier</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Champions</span>: North Star</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>North Star will dominate in game 1, North Border will pull the upset over Langdon behind impressive performances from [player_tooltip player_id='2237765' first='Kaden' last='Moore'] &amp; [player_tooltip player_id='1165355' first='Grant' last='Cosley'], Cavalier will cruise past PRFL, and Midway-Minto will shoot their way to a victory over North Prairie. However, I still see Langdon &amp; [player_tooltip player_id='1857757' first='Rayce' last='Worley'] making Regions by getting hot on the back side of the bracket. In the Semi's, I think the Bearcats size, strength, and upperclassman will be too much for the young Eagles. On the bottom half of the bracket, I see the Tornadoes taking down Midway-Minto. [player_tooltip player_id='2329512' first='Ryan' last='Pelletier'] and the other Tornadoe athletes impressed me earlier this season. Cavalier has beaten them twice, but it is tough to beat a team 3 times, so who knows! North Star will win the Championship behind strong performances from [player_tooltip player_id='1324683' first='Dane' last='Hagler'], [player_tooltip player_id='1367009' first='Parker' last='Simon'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1367010' first='Karsen' last='Simon']. It is hard to bet against the #1 team in Class B.</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 --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Quarterfinal Winners</span>: Nelson County, New Rockford-Sheyenne, Larimore, Griggs-Midkota</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Semifinal Winners</span>: Nelson County, Larimore</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Champions</span>: Larimore</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nelson County will take care of business in the opening round, the Rockets will pull an upset led by youngsters [player_tooltip player_id='2270646' first='Easton' last='Benz'] &amp; [player_tooltip player_id='1632742' first='Easton' last='Simon'], the Polar Bears will maul the Patriots, and Griggs-Midkota will win with their size &amp; experience. Nelson County will win in the Semis behind [player_tooltip player_id='1144616' first='Ross' last='Thompson'], [player_tooltip player_id='1856202' first='Jaxon' last='Baumgarn'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1144615' first='Zach' last='Gibson']. Larimore has what is takes to make the big game behind a gritty group of players and a young up-n-coming coach. We are predicting the Polar Bears win Region 2 behind standout performances from [player_tooltip player_id='2277114' first='Jace' last='Collison'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1843211' first='Michael' last='Myers'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">District 5</span></strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Quarterfinal Winners</span>: Glen Ullin/Hebron, Belfield, Bowman County, Flasher</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Semifinal Winners</span>: Glen Ullin/Hebron, Bowman County</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Champions</span>: Bowman County</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bearcats should have no trouble in the first two games of the tourney, the young Bantams will pull an upset in the opening round, the Bulldogs dominate, and [player_tooltip player_id='1144986' first='Javin' last='Friesz'] will put up 30+ in the opening round. Bowman County vs. Flasher in the Semifinals will be an awesome matchup but I don't think Flasher has enough help to keep up with the Duffield brothers. Look for Friesz and Flasher to make Regions and be a big problem in the first found. In the District 5 Championship, Bowman will get revenge for the earlier loss, [player_tooltip player_id='1144931' first='Bishop' last='Duffield'] &amp; [player_tooltip player_id='1144932' first='Bohden' last='Duffield'] will be a bit too much to handle for the surging Bearcats. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">District 6</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Quarterfinal Winners</span>: Garrison, Washburn, Wilton-Wing, New-Salem-Almont</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Semifinal Winners</span>: Washburn, Wilton-Wing</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Champions</span>: Wilton-Wing</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We are going with chalk in the first round. In the Semifinals, we think the Cards will upset the Troopers behind splashy performances from [player_tooltip player_id='1632628' first='Parker' last='Jacobson'] &amp; [player_tooltip player_id='1326981' first='Alex' last='Retterath']. Washburn won earlier in the season and we think they will do it again. Look for Garrison to battle back and for [player_tooltip player_id='1144980' first='Braxton' last='Iglehart'] to lead the Troopers to the Regional Tournament. Wilton-Wing is a tough squad with many guys that shoot the rock hot. We have them winning District 6. NSA has turned it on lately but the Miners will not be stopped with impressive play from [player_tooltip player_id='2312608' first='Hunter' last='Wolff'], [player_tooltip player_id='2312607' first='Bradon' last='Wallace'], [player_tooltip player_id='2312611' first='Teigen' last='Earsley'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1381719' first='Dontaye' last='Fetzer']. Wilton-Wing beat Washburn by 18 earlier in the season and we give them the nod in the Ship. </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 --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Quarterfinal Winners</span>: Kenmare/Bowbells, Alexander, Williston Trinity, Powers-Lake-Burke Central</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Semifinal Winners</span>: Kenmare/Bowbells, Williston Trinity</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Champions</span>: Williston Trinity</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We do not know who the Honkers will play in the opening round, but it should not matter, they will be heavily favored. In fact, we think all the high seeds will win until we get to the District 7 Championship game. Kenmare/Bowbells vs. Williston Trinity will be an exciting matchup. Kenmare recently beat the Williston Trinity by 18 but we think the Crusaders will use that loss as fuel. [player_tooltip player_id='1655188' first='Kai' last='Thomas'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1655325' first='Jack' last='Zimmer'] will be the top two players to watch in the Championship game. Both are All-State caliber players. For the X-factor, we are going with 9th grader [player_tooltip player_id='2237851' first='Kale' last='Nix'] from Williston Trinity. He is averaging double-digit points this season and we predict he comes up big when it matters most. </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 --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Quarterfinal Winners</span>: Westhope/Newburg, Velva, Bishop Ryan, TGU.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Semifinal Winners</span>: Westhope/Newburg, Bishop Ryan</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Champions</span>: Westhope/Newburg</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The only upset in the quarterfinals I see happening is TGU over Our Redeemer's. ORCS has talent but they are young and [player_tooltip player_id='1355915' first='Sage' last='Hanson'] is a stud &amp; a tough matchup for anyone. I like MLS but they have a bad draw and face Westhope/Newburg first round. I still think MLS will make the Regional Tournament as they win on the backside of the bracket. [player_tooltip player_id='1189452' first='Ramsey' last='Walz'] will be too much to handle for everyone until they reach the Championship game. Walz was a dominant force when they beat Westhope/Newburg earlier in the season, I think the Sioux will have that loss on their minds when they meet in the District 8 Championship. I have a hunch that [player_tooltip player_id='1169145' first='Walker' last='Braaten'] will have a monumental playoff run and take down the Lions in the District Championship. However, I see these two meeting up in the Region Championship down the road. [player_tooltip player_id='1169145' first='Walker' last='Braaten'] vs. [player_tooltip player_id='1189452' first='Ramsey' last='Walz'] in the Region Championship sounds like fun to me!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1606306,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/NorthDakota.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/NorthDakota.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-1606306" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->