North Dakota Games to Watch, Feb. 10-15
The season is winding down quickly. With five games or less left of the regular season for a lot of teams, region standings are starting to take shape. But there is still a lot to be decided with massive games…
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Continue ReadingThe season is winding down quickly. With five games or less left of the regular season for a lot of teams, region standings are starting to take shape. But there is still a lot to be decided with massive games taking place over the next couple of weeks.
Here are the games to watch this week:
Four Winds/Minnewaukan at Rugby, 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, February 11
Here’s a potential state championship game preview, as these two teams are legitimate top-five teams in the state. Rugby’s got an elite trio of seniors in Trace Goven, Jaden Hamilton and Devan Michels while the Indians have all-state wing Doug Yankton, a force at center in Bronson Walter and two excellent guards in JaeShaun Shaw and Jayden Yankton. The Panthers haven’t been tested near as much as the Indians, so this game undoubtedly means more to them long-term for this season, but whoever wins this game will have a nice feather in its cap heading into the postseason.
Devils Lake at West Fargo, 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, February 11
With the fourth seed in the EDC still up for grabs, this could ultimately be the game that decides it. Devils Lake is sitting at 10-6 in the league while the Packers are 8-6 and sitting in fifth. The Firebirds dominated the Packers earlier in the season, with Grant Nelson completely controlling the game. On paper, this is a matchup that favors the Firebirds because everything West Fargo does is in the paint and they have the best paint-protector in the state, but can the Packers use their athleticism and play ahead of a set defense? Hunter Lyman needs to have a better game this time around.
Dickinson at Mandan, 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, February 11
Jamestown and Bimarck are sitting pretty for the top two seeds in the WDA but Mandan and Dickinson both still have paths to finishing in the top-four. The Braves have won four games in a row since they last lost – to Dickinson by 1 – and are peaking at the right time. They are sitting at 10-5 in the league – fourth in the league – and could climb up the standings while simultaneously dealing the Midgets a blow. Dickinson had been floundering a bit but picked up a monster win over Jamestown last week to get back on the winning track.
Enderlin at Richland, 7:30 p.m., Friday, February 14
Contenders in Region 1 meet up in a matchup between the hot up-and-coming Enderlin team against the veteran-laden Richland squad. It’s a classic big vs. small game too, as Enderlin relies on its super sophomore big men Joe Hurlburt and Gus Hurlburt while Richland wants to force turnovers and let is guards play fast.
Jamestown at Minot, 7:30 p.m., Friday, February 14
Arguably the two most talented teams in the WDA, the last time these teams met, the Magicians got 47 points from Deonte Martinez and Jaxon Gunville while forcing Boden Skunberg into a horrendous shooting night. Skunberg’s been on a tear in recent weeks and these are the two best offensive teams in the state, so this game should be aesthetically pleasing.
Hatton/Northwood at St. John, 2:30 p.m., Saturday, February 15
This game was supposed to be at Devils Lake in mid-January but was postponed due to weather. Both teams have taken advantage of the extra time as they are on lengthy winning streaks and ranked in the top-five. Both teams have excellent balance with four or five guys that can do damage offensively. All five of St. John’s starters average at least 13 points per game while Hatton/Northwood has arguably the best individual player in the game in Colton Konschak plus excellent seniors in Avery Thorsgard and Alex Wolfe.