Class A State Tournament Preview: Day 1 Matchups
The Class A State Tournament starts Thursday in Fargo. Here’s what to watch for on Day One: Bismarck Legacy vs. Fargo Shanley These two teams met in the first round of the state tournament last year with the Sabers winning…
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Continue ReadingThe Class A State Tournament starts Thursday in Fargo. Here’s what to watch for on Day One:
Bismarck Legacy vs. Fargo Shanley
These two teams met in the first round of the state tournament last year with the Sabers winning by 11. Both teams came into this year with state tournament aspirations and the talent to contend for a title. That largely remains the same, as both teams are good enough to win the whole thing. It’s perhaps the best offensive team in the state in Fargo Shanley going against the best defensive team in the Sabers. Reile Payne and Alexis Dressler are both in the mix for the Player-of-the-Year in their respective leagues. Arianna Berryhill and Jaiden Baker are playing their best ball of the year for the Sabers while Morika Hakim has emerged as an elite interior presence for the Deacons. This is one of the most intriguing first-round matchups of the day.
Grand Forks Red River vs. Mandan
Both of these teams were at the state tournament a year ago and return a number of players who were key pieces. Both teams are going to win with defense and rebounding. Shelby Frank is one of the best low post players in the state and the Roughriders have a really solid trio of players in Jasmine Sondrol, Alex Page and Claire Leach. That balance will be tested against one of the best duos in the state in Lakyn Darras and Sydney Gustavsson. Both were terrific in the WDA Tournament, and on many occasions, are the two best players on the floor. Can someone else generate offense if the Roughriders neutralize one of them? That’ll be an interesting matchup.
Fargo Davies vs. Bismarck St. Mary’s
The Eagles won the EDC Tournament Championship to earn the top seed out of the EDC and will face an experienced and talented Bismarck St. Mary’s team in the first round. The matchup in the frontcourt is undoubtedly the one to watch, as Ryleigh Wacha, Taylor Fey and Ava Wild form arguably the best trio up front for Davies while Maria Mann and Haillie Schweitzer are an excellent duo on both ends of the court.
Fargo Davies has proven all year that it can play at an incredibly high level, and it’s high-end talent is hard to match for even the best teams in the state. Bismarck St. Mary’s will need to be able to slow the game down and turn it into a rock fight. The Saints’ offense can go through lulls at times, but their defense always gives them a chance to win every game.
Devils Lake vs. Bismarck Century
A rematch of last year’s state championship game is somehow going to happen in the first round because of the league tournament. Both teams were ranked in the top-three all season, so this game is undoubtedly the most interesting of the Thursday action.
Both teams are deep with big, athletic and skilled players all over the floor. Jes Mertens has been awesome all year for the Firebirds and sets the tone on both ends of the floor. Jailyn Martinson’s been excellent and Ramsey Brown and Abby Johnson are excellent two-way wings. Julia Fitterer, Logan Nissley and Ashton Kinnebrew have all enjoyed breakout years for the Patriots and complementary players like Chloe Markovic, Jocelyn Julson and Ella Fridley have all been excellent.
On paper, this matchup is more fitting of a semifinal or championship game. It should be a great way to end the day.