WDA Tourney Preview

The stage is set, and the teams are ready to go to battle in hopes for what they have been working for all year, a chance to go to the Class "A" State Championship in Fargo, ND. The East and the West both have 8 teams in the brackets looking to keep their season alive. If you really look at the overall standings, and teams in the WDA it is a fun region to watch. In the bracket itself is the top 8 teams in the WDA, and on any given night, I would say anyone of them can knock off any team in the bracket. Every one of these teams has great qualities in their players and are all tough teams.   I think there could be some upsets in this tourney, and for sure some excellent games ahead of us to watch. Let's take a quick look at what we have in store for us, and some players to watch. Last but not least, Good Luck to all the players and Coaches in your post season! Let's get down to it!   #1 Bismarck Century: The Century Patriots are still doing what they do best and still look strong despite losing [player_tooltip player_id='100419' first='Logan' last='Nissley'] midway through the season due to injury. Despite her being on the floor with the team, everyone has picked it up and they have still performed strong and claimed the WDA #1 Spot with a 20-0 conference record. The Patriots are led by Senior [player_tooltip player_id='100420' first='Bergan' last='Kinnebrew'] who is performing at the peak of her abilities and one of the Top Scorers in the WDA with 20.9PPG. Next to Kinnebrew is Junior [player_tooltip player_id='341476' first='Eden' last='Fridley'] who has really been an impactful player for Century this year, Shes averaging 10.5PPG and has proven this year she is capable of knocking down bigtime shots when they count, and her confidence has skyrocketed with her shooting abilities. The Patriots in typical fashion are nothing short of a strong team, coming into this post season I think they will be a big contender running to the state tournament. But a big factor in it all is will [player_tooltip player_id='100419' first='Logan' last='Nissley'] be back for the WDA or State? That we don't know as of now, but if she is back, she is a huge bonus to their roster. But even without her on the floor the energy she brings to the team on the bench is something we can all appreciate. I have a good feeling they will be a front runner in the WDA Tourney and also the state tourney.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/02/Fridley-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-607321" width="192" height="288" /></figure>   #2 Minot: The returning State Champions are looking to repeat what they did last year and have all the talent to do so. This year the Majettes have had a solid season going 17-3 in conference play with the only losses coming from Legacy and Century. The Majettes have a little of everything in their bag, speed, shooters, height and move/rebound the ball very well. The one thing that stands out about Minot is their deep bench, and any night of the week any of their players can have a huge game. When you have 6-7 players like [player_tooltip player_id='100460' first='Maya' last='Aguilar'] (8.9PPG), [player_tooltip player_id='219714' first='Avery' last='Lunde'] (7.9PPG), [player_tooltip player_id='379179' first='Taury' last='Hight'] (9.3PPG), [player_tooltip player_id='378072' first='Presley' last='Bennett'] (5.6PPG), and [player_tooltip player_id='457913' first='Karew' last='Lamoureux'] (4.3PPG) who can all shoot the ball very well inside and out, they can be a handful for any team to go up against. On top of that they have 2 of the WDA's leading scorers on their roster with [player_tooltip player_id='379041' first='Lee' last='Lee Bell'] averaging (20.3PPG,10RPG) and [player_tooltip player_id='342164' first='Maggie' last='Fricke'] averaging 17.4PPG. When their firing on all cylinders they are flat out a tough team, they have shown this multiple times throughout the year as they have put up 5 100+ point games. I think if they keep doing what they do best, they will also be a top contender in the tourney and have a strong shot at making another state run.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/02/maya-aguilar.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-607349" width="252" height="336" /></figure>   #3 Bismarck High: The Demons are coming into the Tourney HOT to say the least. They have won their last 9 straight games and are 17-4 in conference play this season. The one thing that stands out about them is their speed, and defense. I've watched them play multiple times throughout this season, and one thing that comes to mind about how they play is scrappy. They may not have the biggest roster in the WDA in terms of height, but what they don't have they make up for it in their shooting abilities, and overall grit on the floor. Their defense and full court press has proven to be a nightmare for teams to handle, and when you mix in [player_tooltip player_id='243474' first='Paige' last='Breuer'] (15.0PPG), [player_tooltip player_id='196272' first='Peyton' last='Neumiller'] (15.2PPG) and [player_tooltip player_id='378042' first='Jersey' last='Berg'] (12.1PPG) you're in for a fast-paced game with 3 players who can knock down shots left and right, but also move the ball around the floor extremely well. BHS is an overall tough team that can come and knock off any team any night of the week and when they are on, they are a fun team to watch.   #4 Bismarck Legay: Coming in at #4 is the Bismarck Legacy Sabers who are 15-5 in the WDA with their only losses to Century, BHS and Minot. The Sabers started off their season strong with 7 straight wins before falling to Century 77-60. There is no question the Sabers have all the talent on the floor to be a top contender in the tourney and hopefully a chance at the state tournament. Leading the charge for the Sabers is Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='375796' first='Brooklynn' last='Felchle'] (16.4PPG, 9RPG) and Senior [player_tooltip player_id='213379' first='Alyssa' last='Eckroth'] (12.8PPG) who both are some of the best players in the WDA and when their working together, it's a thing of beauty to say the least. On top of Felchle and Eckroth the Sabers have other multiple players that proven to be very impactful players on the floor. [player_tooltip player_id='245531' first='Adison' last='Sagaser'] (9.7PPG), [player_tooltip player_id='218143' first='Mia' last='Berryhill'] (4.8PPG) and [player_tooltip player_id='100432' first='Brooklyn' last='Brendel'] (5.9PPG) are not players you want to leave open or sleep on to say the least. Each one of them come with speed, great passing abilities and players who can knock down shots inside, or outside as well. I think the key for the Sabers in the post season will be ball movement around the perimeter, and looking to get the ball inside to Felchle and letting her do what she does best in the paint, score...and put back shots off the glass. There is no question they are loaded with talent inside and out, and when they are in sync, they are a handful to contain. They come in playing #5 Jamestown their first game, and I think this will be a very competitive back and forth fun game to watch.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/02/IMG_4221.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-607336" width="346" height="183" /></figure>   #5 Jamestown: The Blue Jays are .500 in the WDA going 10-10 and winning the Tie Break against St. Mary. The Blue jays are a tough competitive team that have shown they can hang and play with the top teams in the WDA. As the season progressed, they seemed to get better and better every game and really dialed in their shooting skills. Leading on the front court for the Blue Jays is [player_tooltip player_id='100461' first='Ella' last='Falk'] (18.4PPG), [player_tooltip player_id='100464' first='Katie' last='Falk'] (11.6PPG) and Breanna Oettle (10.5PPG) and when they get going, watch out...they can flat out knock um' down. [player_tooltip player_id='100461' first='Ella' last='Falk'] has really showcased how well she can shoot from outside this season connecting on 40% of her three pointers, and last game she set a new school record with 9 vs Mandan. If you get a chance to watch them play, do it, their fun fast paced and can light up a scoreboard and can do a little of everything right on the floor inside and out. I think the key for them in the tourney will be limiting turnovers and grabbing rebounds. They don't come in with the tallest roster in the WDA, but what they lack in size, they make up for in speed, passing and shooting.   #6 St. Mary: St. Mary is another team in the WDA that can win on any night of the week, kind of what I was talking about earlier in this write up. The Saints are a team that when they get rolling, be careful because they don't seem to stop when they get going. With 3 excellent players that double as guards/forwards Mykie Messer (14.6PPG), [player_tooltip player_id='100422' first='Lydia' last='Spies'] (13.6PPG) and [player_tooltip player_id='408213' first='Lexi' last='Gerving'] (12.2PPG) they really have a nice set up. Messer, Spies and Gerving have proven all season they can make shots and make them when they really need um. On top of that they have some great depth to their team with Gabbi Mann, Mataya Messer and [player_tooltip player_id='408451' first='Natalie' last='Larson'] all stepping up in their roles and being effective night in and night out. St. Mary another strong team in the "middle" of the pack in the WDA, if they come out and start strong every game and set the tone right off the tip, they have all the abilities to punch their ticket.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/02/mary.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-607341" width="141" height="308" /></figure>   #7 Mandan: When it comes to playing your best in the season, you want to do it come March, and Mandan is doing just that. Don't let their losses to Century and Jamestown fool you, both of those games have been very close for the Braves, and the fire to all cylinders is running strong. The Braves have a little bit of everything in the mix of their deep roster, speed, shooters, height, rebounding and young players who have proven to be key when they are on the floor. The Braves are led by Junior [player_tooltip player_id='219710' first='Jayden' last='Wiest'] (12.9PPG), [player_tooltip player_id='245588' first='Mckenna' last='Johnson'] (10.2PPG/7.9RPG) and [player_tooltip player_id='379112' first='Hailey' last='Markel'] (9.4PPG) who are all eager to punch a ticket to the "big dance". Over their last 4-5 games you can really see how much more they are moving the ball around the outside and working it inside to get the ball into the post. When you add that to Wiest's ability to connect from outside, and Markel's 10-12' jumpers they can really light up a scoreboard. The Braves have all the talent, and depth to beat anyone in the WDA. If they can limit turnovers, move the ball around and get in sync right away, watch out because they could be in for a great post season run this weekend.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/02/ken.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-607335" width="333" height="222" /></figure>   #8 Dickinson: The Dickinson Midgets are another team in the WDA that can and could be one to upset someone. They come into the post season 8-14 and 6-14 in the WDA but have been a tough team to beat every game. [player_tooltip player_id='378262' first='Emily' last='Ash'] (16.0PPG) and Canton Pearcy (12.7PPG) have been the front runners for the Midgets this season and are the ones leading the charge on the court. When they are on and adding [player_tooltip player_id='362927' first='Abbey' last='Dutke'] (7.1PPG), [player_tooltip player_id='362774' first='Sadie' last='Stevenson'] (6.5PPG) to the mix, they are a tough team that can run the floor very well. Limiting turnovers and being patient with the ball will be huge factors for Dickinson this post season. If they can do that, be selective with their shots, move the ball around a finish at the rim they could surprise some people. They have all the tools in their bag to shake some stuff up in the tourney!       Photo Credit: Jon Jablonski

The stage is set, and the teams are ready to go to battle in hopes for what they have been working for all year, a chance to go to the Class "A" State Championship in Fargo, ND. The East and the West both have 8 teams in the brackets looking to keep their season alive. If you really look at the overall standings, and teams in the WDA it is a fun region to watch. In the bracket itself is the top 8 teams in the WDA, and on any given night, I would say anyone of them can knock off any team in the bracket. Every one of these teams has great qualities in their players and are all tough teams.