Way to Early Class B State Predictions: 2018-19 Edition
The North Dakota Class B Boy basketball season has come to an end as Hillsboro-Central Valley won its second straight championship Saturday. The No. 1-seeded Burros defeated Minot Ryan 73-71 inside the Bismarck Event Center. But can they defend their back-to-back crown next season? Here are your way to early 2018-19 state tournament predictions by Region.
- Kindred
Kindred took third-place in the Region 1 tournament and lost to No. 1-seed Oak Grove and the favorites by seven points in the semifinals. The Vikings bring back junior 6-foot-5 center Sawyer Rolland and freshman 6-foot-7 center in Gavin Keller. It’ll be one of the taller lineups in the Region.
2. Thompson
The Tommies have had it tough these last two years with repeat champs in Hillsboro-Central Valley. But 2018-19 is Thompson’s year. The Tommies lose two starters in Carson Sorby and Tyler Hegg and bring back point guard Cadyn Schwabe and forward Hayden Overby. With a few big man graduating in Region 2, Overby could take it by storm.
3. Edgeley-Kulm-Montpelier
The Rebels bring back everybody besides senior forward/center Lane Hanson. Edgeley-Kulm-Montpelier rolled through the Region 3 semifinals but then lost to Carrington, who took fourth place at state in the championship contests. The Rebels finished the 2017-18 season with a 19-6 record and bring back the core of their lineup.
4. Langdon Area-Edmore-Munich
The Cardinals one of the few teams that lose just two seniors from their roster. Langdon Area-Edmore-Munich lost to St. John by just two points in the Region 4 title game. The Cardinals will miss star guard Jacob Delvo but they will have seven juniors and two seniors on next year’s roster. Inexperience may be a factor but the Cardinals will make some noise.
5. Shiloh Christian
Brad Miller’s squad finished sixth at the state tournament this season but should be the favorites next season. The Skyhawks lose one senior in Jonas Mitzel but bring back sophomore Jaden Mitzel who led the team offensive in March. Shiloh Christian also welcomes back 6-foot-9 center in Macauley Young for his final season. Young averaged 17 points and 12 rebounds this past season.
6. Bishop Ryan
Bishop Ryan brings back two guards in Ben Bohl and Mason Hedberg that earned All-Tournament honors this season. The two combined for 119 points and 32 rebounds in three games at the state tournament. The Lions do lose some big men in starters Anthony Vetter and Jacob Lizotte but two top tier guards in the state should get them back.
7. Dickinson Trinity
Region 7 is up to Dickinson Trinity or Beulah, who took fifth in the state tournament. But it’s the Titans as they will reload like they do every year. Dickinson Trinity suffered two big losing streaks this season of four and three games and that’s why the finished 15-9. But they lost to Shiloh Christian by one in overtime early in the season and fell to Beulah in double overtime in the Region title game.
8. Powers Lake
Powers Lake lost to Stanley in the semifinals by 10 points but then beat Kenmare by seven in the Region’s third-place game. The Ranchers lose two seniors in Robert Englund and Luiz Passos and bring back 10 other players that were on varsity this season. With the region being down some, Powers Lake could make find themselves in next season’s state tournament. The Ranchers also had some freshmen play this season that will have expanded roles next year.