North Dakota Preview: Four Winds/Minnewaukan
Four Winds/Minnewaukan looked like a legitimate state title contender through most of last season, using pressure defense and athleticism to overwhelm most of its competition on the way to a 15-3 regular season. The Indans reached the Region 4 final…
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Continue ReadingFour Winds/Minnewaukan looked like a legitimate state title contender through most of last season, using pressure defense and athleticism to overwhelm most of its competition on the way to a 15-3 regular season. The Indans reached the Region 4 final but ultimately lost to Langdon/Edmore/Munich for the second time on the year. With almost their entire core returning, the Indians should be one of the best teams in Class B again in 2019-20.
GO-TO PLAYER: Latasha Bellile
Bellile’s been a beacon of consistency for the Indians over the last few seasons and she was terrific last year, eclipsing the 1,000 point barrier and seemingly saving her best games for the best competition. She’s an excellent defender, a good shooter and a very smart passer. She’s been through a lot at the varsity level and will be expected to lead FW/M this season.
KEY RETURNERS: Myona Dauphinais, Riah Littleghost Ezura Rainbow, Hailey Keo
Dauphinais was awesome at times during her freshman year, showing an explosive scoring abiliyt that few other players can match. She’s an excellent shooter with seemingly limitless range, but she’s also athletic enough to blow by defenders and get to the paint. She’s got a big ceiling and could be the team’s leading scorer this winter.
Littleghost had more than her share of big moments last year too, routinely scoring in double figures and delivering big shots in big moments. She gives the Indians a third rock-solid scorer and defender who can not only get to the basket, but also space the floor.
Rainbow emerged as a viable inside presence last year, showing a strong finishing ability and consistent effort. She’ll have an opportunity to really stand out this winter given the attention teams will be forced to pay to all the perimeter players the Indians can put on the floor.
Keo saw regular minutes last year and is another athletic wing who can apply defensive pressure and knock down shots.
QUESTION: Can the Indians get over the LEM hump?
Four Winds has been very good in recent years, but in each of the last two years, the Indians have run into Langon/Edmore/Munich in the region tournament. With state tournament caliber teams, the Indians will likely have to go through the Cardinals again this year. They’ve got the talent to beat them, though they haven’t had any success against them in recent years.
OUTLOOK
The Indians have all the pieces and components to have a terrific season. They’ve got experienced guards, solid length, a stifling defense, good coaching, shooting and athleticism. They’ve been one of the best teams in Class B each of the last two years and nothing suggest they’ll decline at all this winter.