PHD Playoff Central (ND): February 28
It’s midweek and already North Dakota high school basketball playoff action has entertained the state. PHD runs through the action in Playoff Central.
Monday’s District Champions. Who celebrated with a trophy on Monday night? Carrington, Strasburg/Zeeland, Four Winds -Minnewaukan, Dunseith, Shiloh Christian, Wilton-Wing, Rugby, Bishop Ryan, New Town, and Stanley.
Bigs Stepping Up. Carrington was able to withstand 6-foot-5 EKM senior Lane Hanson and his outstanding 35 point performance. Hanson continues to grab the attention of people state wide. Another 6-foot-5 senior big that had a huge game this week was Nick Backman who scored 33 points for Wilton-Wing in the win over TLMM. Trapper Jacobs had 32 in the loss but it was Backman’s day as he and Hanson stepped up big in the paint. In the Shiloh Christian win, Macauley Young didn’t need to score more much against Standing Rock, but he did collect 18 rebounds dominating the paint clearing the defensive glass.
Veteran Guards Earn Their Way. Carrington senior Garrett Bickett knocked out seven treys and scored his 25 points while 6-foot-3 sophomore Seth Nelson nearly had a double-double with a dozen points and nine boards. New Town’s Daniel LeBeau also led his team to the championship and he hit six threes scoring 26 points leading his team to the District title. Wyatt Hanson had a pair of buzzer beating threes to end quarters as he scored 20 for Stanley in their district title victory. Five-foot-1 Stanley teammate Matt Patten was the two hero in that game though by scoring 19 and making the game winner to beat Powers Lake.
Sophomores Earn Rugby More Gold. Sophomore Trace Goven has put together an outstanding year for Ruby and he did his part versus Velva scoring 18 and earning all district status. But when Ruby beat Velva Jaden Hamilton had a career game on a big stage making the entire state take notice. The three point stroke of Hamilton caught fire early and then Jaden scored from everywhere on the court.
No Surprises in EDC. All top four seeds won in the EDC tournament with Shanley, West Fargo, and Sheyenne all taking care of business cleanly. Davies on the other hand had some problems with Wahpeton before earning a six point victory. Kemal Hajric’s latest double-double like performance helped Sheyenne who had a game high 18 points from Hajric. Mitch Larson put together and another strong all around game for Davies plus he led the team with a dozen points. Joe Pistorius led West Fargo with 18 points and eight rebounds and point guard Tanner Zepeda scored a dozen while earning eight assists out to a Packers team that had eight different guys score on three or more possessions.