Monday Must-See Matchups

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A new week means fresh storylines, big-time showdowns, and games you don't want to miss. In <strong>Monday Must See Matchups</strong>, Prep Hoops Dakotas looks ahead to some of the most intriguing contests on the schedule across North Dakota.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This feature previews key in Class A and Class B, spotlighting players to watch, potential swing factors, and a few questions that could shape how each matchup unfolds. Whether it's rankings implications, rivalry energy, or a chance for a statement performance, these games carry plenty of juice.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If you're planning your hoops viewing for the night, start here. Let's break down the matchups that should have everyone tuned in when the ball goes up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2298937,"width":"364px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/GamestoWatch.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/GamestoWatch.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-2298937" style="width:364px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"30px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:30px"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">North Dakota</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Oak Grove (9-6) at Wahpeton (11-4)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline">WHY?</span></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Two of the top teams in Class A</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Grovers recently took down the mighty Kindred Vikings</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline">QUESTIONS</span></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-OG beat Wahp earlier this season, can veteran coach Jeff Ralph get revenge on another veteran coach Kyle Card?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Both squads have talent, who has the best backcourt? [player_tooltip player_id='2237763' first='Aidan' last='Saunders'] &amp; [player_tooltip player_id='2411681' first='Ryder' last='Soper'] vs. [player_tooltip player_id='1798696' first='Brayden' last='Steffens'] &amp; [player_tooltip player_id='2339217' first='Jack' last='Gilbertson'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>#5 Bishop Ryan (13-3) at Mohall-Lansford-Sherwood (15-2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline">WHY?</span></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Two of the best teams in Class B</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-District 6 showdown, rivalry game</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline">QUESTIONS</span></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Are the Mavs healthy? Do [player_tooltip player_id='2237681' first='Eli' last='Undlin'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1951581' first='Reid' last='Morlock'] look to be 100%? Can they take down the Lions?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Does [player_tooltip player_id='1657450' first='Izaac' last='Strandlien']&nbsp;look like a dude? He is a top 10 player in the 2028 class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Nelson County (10-4) at North Star (12-3)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline">WHY?</span></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Another very good class B game with two of the better squads in the state</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Important District 4 showdown </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline">QUESTIONS</span></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Bearcats won the first matchup by 8, can the Charges get revenge? </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-[player_tooltip player_id='3483039' first='Jaxson' last='Jormo'] is a nice player for Nelson County, can the Bearcats bottle him up? [player_tooltip player_id='2412298' first='Ian' last='Westlind'] is having a great year for North Star, is he a standout tonight?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"20px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:20px"><strong>Lisbon (9-7) at #2 Kindred (11-3)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline">WHY?</span></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Any time [player_tooltip player_id='1484338' first='Brooks' last='Bakko'] is playing the game is worth watching</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-[player_tooltip player_id='1541300' first='Cameron' last='Cordero'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2277851' first='Hayden' last='Enger'] are quality ballers for the Broncos, interested to see if they can make this one a game</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline">QUESTIONS</span></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-How many dunks does [player_tooltip player_id='1484338' first='Brooks' last='Bakko'] have? He threw down 6 in the last game. [player_tooltip player_id='2573805' first='Eli' last='Maack'] is another player to watch for the Vikings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Can Lisbon hang with the Vikings? Can they handle the zone press?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Thompson (7-7) at Hillsboro-Central Valley (6-8)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline">WHY?</span></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Region 2 matchup, important game for standings</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-The Tommies won the first game by 4, the Burros will want this one bad</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline">QUESTIONS</span></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-[player_tooltip player_id='2335335' first='Gavin' last='Oster'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1951559' first='Noah' last='Hippen'] are the top to Tommies, do they produce and control this game?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-[player_tooltip player_id='2347911' first='Bryce' last='Miller'] is tough player, can he show out tonight? [player_tooltip player_id='2713094' first='Alexander' last='Dufner'] vs. [player_tooltip player_id='1951559' first='Noah' last='Hippen'] could be a good matchup, who wins in the paint?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1126976,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/02/NorthDakota.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/02/NorthDakota.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-1126976" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->